Why Relaxation Matters

Many people do not even think they are “stressed” when in actual fact, our modern fast paced world is rife with stressors. Stressors are everywhere today and they include things such as being online all day, being contactable 24/7, traffic, busy or long commutes, the ability to multitask all day everyday, etc.

Chronic stress can lead to numerous health issues, including increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, mood issues, and a weakened immune system. Taking time to relax can help reduce stress levels, improve mental clarity, and enhance overall health. National Relaxation Day serves as a reminder to pause and practice self-care - something we all need!

How to Celebrate National Relaxation Day

There are countless ways to celebrate this soothing day, each tailored to fit different preferences and lifestyles.

Here are a few ideas:

Go on a Nature Walk

Being in any kind of green space, whether a park, common, woodland or forest, has been shown to benefit mood and stress levels. The key though is to do it mindfully. Taking in the wonderful nature sounds and sights around you.

Have a Spa Day

Treat yourself to a spa day at home, your local health club, or at a professional spa. Indulge in massages, facials, or simply a long soak in a bubble bath whilst listening to a guided meditation.

Do Some Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a simple and effective technique to reduce stress. Sit or lie down in a quiet place and take slow, deep breaths, focusing on your breathing. We love doing a few minutes of the 4:6 breath ratio technique, where you simply breathe in to a count of 4 and out to a count of 6. The longer out-breath is what signals to your brain that all is well, switching off “fight or flight”.

Practice a Meditation

Similar to a deep breathing exercise however, meditation involves focusing more of your attention on a particular object, sound, breath, or sensation to calm your mind and reduce stress. When your mind wanders away from the focus and over to thoughts, simply bring it back to your chosen focus and continue like this for the duration of the practice. Even just 5 minutes per day has been found to be beneficial.

Read a Book

Dive into a good book. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, reading can be a great way to escape and relax. We can highly recommend The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

Disconnect

Unplug from your digital devices. Spend the day away from screens, social media, and emails to give your mind a break.

Do Some Gentle Restorative Movement

Engage in gentle exercises like yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong. These movement practices are great ways to promote relaxation through movement and controlled breathing. They have been shown to calm the nervous system and lower stress hormones.

Do a Creative Activity

Engage in creative hobbies like painting, knitting, or gardening. These activities can be incredibly therapeutic.

Get Some Social Support

Talking to friends, family or a therapist can provide emotional support and help you cope with stress. A problem shared really is a problem halved and the simple act of talking can be extremely relieving and therapeutic.

Include a Dose of Calm With Our ZEN Juice

Our ZEN juice is designed to support and calm the nervous system and improve resilience to stress, with nutrients that have been carefully chosen to help calm the body and restore balance. Hero ingredients include anti-inflammatory turmeric root and ginger and soothing aloe vera.