5 Affordable Ways To Unwind and Relax At Home
We’ve all had to get used to spending a lot of time at home recently. And you’d think it would be relaxing. But in the age of 24-hour news coverage and addictive screen entertainment, lots of us find it difficult to switch off, unwind, and find ways to relax at home.
Reducing stress is great for your health in multiple ways. Not only can it improve your sleep, but finding just half an hour a day to clear your mind and step away from your screen can help improve your focus, reduce anxiety, and think more clearly.
So if you’re looking for some ideas for affordable ways to find your inner peace at home, check out the list below.
Take A Bath
You can’t take your laptop into the bath with you. That means no emails, no messages from friends, no “just one more episode” of the show you’ve seen a hundred times. It’s the perfect place to clear your mind, give your muscles a rest, and take a little me-time.
Add some essential oils, a few candles, some relaxing music, and your favourite bubble bath, and you’ve got a real treat on your hands. Go ahead – take a long bath. You deserve it!
Yoga and Meditation
Yoga and meditation are both born from the same ancient practise, designed to help you connect to the present moment, feel your body, and clear your mind.
They are also both effective (and free) activities that you can enjoy at home, on your own or with a housemate. If you don’t know how to meditate or haven’t tried yoga before, there are thousands (and I really do mean thousands) of free resources online to teach you the basics.
Both yoga and meditation have been scientifically proven to regulate mental health and wellbeing, reducing anxiety in the long-term, and giving you a boost in the short-term.
Hobbies, Crafts and Creativity
In this day-and-age, it can feel frivolous to engage in a couple of hours of aimless creative practise. But letting your creative juices flow, and your imagination run wild, is a fantastic way to let off some steam, and enjoy some peace and quiet. And hey, you might even make something cool.
Painting, writing, playing an instrument, pottery, baking, sewing, woodwork – whatever floats your boat, try setting aside an hour a few times a week to do nothing but practise your creative hobby. You could even combine your sessions with some products from Atomic Blaze Smoke Shop for an extra creative (and relaxation) boost.
Listen To Your Favourite Album, Dance Like No One’s Watching
Look, sometimes you’ve just gotta dance. And when it comes to shaking out anxiety and losing yourself in the moment, the sillier the dance the better.
Put on an album you love, pop in your headphones, and let loose in your bedroom. It gets the blood pumping, lifts your mood, and gives your muscles a well-needed stretch. Afterwards, you’ll feel relaxed and content, and ready to get back to work.
Call A Friend
If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or need to vent, call someone you love and trust to catch up. You don’t even need to talk about what’s bothering you if you don’t want to. But listening to a familiar voice and hearing about someone else’s day can help put things into perspective, and make you feel connected.
We often neglect to maintain these relationships regularly. But now more than ever, your support network needs you as much as you need them. Get into a comfy spot and call the friend or relative you haven’t seen since Xmas. You’ll feel better in no time!