11 ways to unwind and practice self-care

When you’re leading a busy lifestyle with a fragile work/life balance, finding a moment for self-care can often seem like an indulgence many of us just don’t have time for. But carving some downtime out of your busy schedule to unwind is essential for keeping the mind and body healthy and happy. 

 

Self-care needn’t be time consuming or complicated, though; read on for our top tips for how to unwind.

 

 

Exercise has long been known to have incredible benefits for both mind and body. 

 

Exercising regularly helps keep you fit and healthy. It engages your muscles and helps increase bone density and boosts your metabolism. Maintaining a higher heart rate during exercise pumps blood and oxygen around your body, keeping important systems such as digestion functioning properly. 

 

Did you know that exercise can even help to keep your brain healthy? It stimulates your body to release proteins and other chemicals that actually improve the structure and function of your brain.

 

One of the reasons that makes exercise an essential part of your self-care routine is that it releases endorphins, which help you deal with stress and reduce feelings of pain; great for helping you unwind during periods of heightened stress.

 

A killer combo is opting for active wear that looks and feels good. Throw on a pair of our stunning Nicole flairs and you’re bound to release tons of feel-good endorphins! 

 

Our surroundings can help influence how we are feeling. If your home is chaotic, untidy or spartan it can accentuate your stress levels and make it hard to unwind. 

 

Cultivating a welcoming, cosy space means you always have a place to go where it’s easy to feel relaxed. 

 

Choose neutral colours, plush fabrics and soft lighting to create a little ‘hygge’; a mood of cosiness and comfort associated with feelings of wellness and contentment. Woollen throws, sheepskin rugs and cotton muslin bedding all offer easy ways to bring a little ‘cosy’ to your home.

 

 

The NHS defines mindfulness as ‘meditation that involves sitting silently and paying attention to thoughts, sounds, the sensations of breathing or parts of the body, bringing your attention back whenever the mind starts to wander.’ 

 

Meditation is often closely associated with yoga practices and, once you’re familiar with the techniques, is a great way to encourage your mind to reset before and after a stressful day. 

Mindfulness is more of an attitude - it involves pausing frequently throughout your day to take stock of small moments through breathing exercises and taking the time to appreciate the emotions and sensations you’re experiencing.

 

We suggest pairing these tight fit sports shorts with a short sleeve t-shirt to keep you feeling cool and comfortable when trying to master those tricky stretches. 

 

 

One of the best ways to unwind is to spend some time in nature. Whether that’s walking or hiking, cycling or just spending time in your garden, fresh air is a great mood booster. 

 

Studies have shown that vitamin D plays an important role in regulating mood and warding off depression, and the best way to boost your uptake is to spend some time in the sunshine.

 

Even during busy work days, grabbing half an hour during your lunch break to sit outside can be a mood booster. We’re big believers in enjoying the outdoors and our eclectic garden and conservatory range proves that you can make any space your own. 

 

We love an outdoor rug and a cosy deck chair to sip coffee and read a book, a great way to unwind after a busy day. 

 

 

When you finally have some time to pamper yourself, you don’t want to waste any of it rummaging around your house looking for scented candles, bubble bath or other products you love for a bit of a treat. Keep them all together in a basket or storage box so they’re always at hand when you have some down time.

 

Alternatively, a sleek and modern shelving unit that plays with wood and metal can create a rustic twist on displaying all your best bits that can easy be spotted when you’re in need for a pamper session.

 

 

Never underestimate the effect of a good night’s sleep on your health and wellbeing. Sleep can improve your focus and concentration and even help you maintain a healthy weight through regulating your eating habits.

 

A good 40 winks keep your heart and body healthy, boost your immune system, improve your mental health and reduce stress.

 

If you struggle to sleep, investing in quality bedding can help. Temperature can play a key role in sleep, if you’re too hot or too cold achieving that snoozy bliss can be tricky.

Quality cotton bed linens keep you cool in summer and warm in winter for a year-round ticket to dreamland.

 

Studies have suggested that listening to or playing music can help to reduce symptoms of stress and depression. For example, upbeat music can encourage you to feel more optimistic and positive about life.

 

A slower tempo can quiet your mind and help you to relax your muscles, for a soothing and calming balm after a stressful day. Play some music to help ease your mind on your walk home from work. Our wireless earbuds are pocket friendly and don’t ruin your look like headphones do. 

 

Escaping reality can reduce stress levels and help you escape from daily dysfunction, which is why getting lost in a good book is considered one of the best ways to unwind. Reading is proven to lower blood pressure and heart rate, while improving connections in your brain - so you’re actually doing a mental workout while you’re relaxing! 

 

Reading can also help to prepare your mind for sleep - unless you reach a nail-biting chapter cliff-hanger, of course!

 

It is important to ensure that it is only a good book keeping you up and not a beaming light. Our bodies are receptive to light, so pop away your phone and ensure you’ve got a low lit reading light on instead.  

 

We love this adjustable reading floor lamp. It’s equipped with a directional head and it’s classic silhouette adds a touch of elegance to any room. 

 

 

There are many reasons why spending less time on your phone or tablet can be beneficial to your mental health. To truly unwind, it’s time to store your phone away out of sight for a period of time. 

 

Phone use in the run-up to bedtime can be responsible for disordered sleep, as the brightness of the backlight on your phone can delay the sleep hormone, melatonin, from being released. This keeps you awake for longer. 

 

So, taking half an hour before bed to discard your phone for the night can be a real boost to your sleeping patterns. Place it away in a drawer and forget about it for the evening. Your eyes and mind will thank you for it. 

 

 

Taking the time to create something can be an uplifting experience and surveying the results of your efforts gives satisfaction and enjoyment. 

 

Start a new project, learn a new skill - it’ll allow your brain to relax into a different rhythm from the everyday habits of a working life. From sketching to painting, embroidery to cooking, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, no matter your ability.

 

The Hiba metal desk is ideal for storing stationary and art work. It’s thin legs and open bottom make space for leg room and a stool. 

 

 

Part of practising mindfulness is staying in touch not only with your emotions but also taking the time to notice small achievements in the everyday. Journaling is a great way to keep track of the small wins; preserving memories within the pages that you can go back to in difficult times to remind you of your successes.

 

Writing in a journal or diary is also an excellent way to offload at the end of the day, committing your thoughts and worries to paper so you can put them safely away and move on.

 

Now you have your guide to pampering yourself at home, you may want to create a serine space and check out our favourite uplifting books to add to your reading list.