Have you ever found yourself unable to totally relax and unwind before bedtime?
Of course, we all do from time to time! But these days, it can be hard to simply shut the world down and chill out before trying to go to sleep. We need a little help. That's why we've got 5 new tips for easy ways to slow down and get a little more self-care at night.
Give a Massage
Yup, we’re starting with the one that sounds the least chill of all the tips! But stick with us for a second - while getting a massage is a fantastic stress reliever, studies have shown that giving a massage also has a myriad of benefits. It lessens anxiety, helps you unplug from your day by allowing you to focus with working your hands, and creates meditation-like effects. Plus, it makes it way more likely that you’ll get one in return (who would’ve thought)!
Smell Something Nice
Everyone’s heard of aromatherapy, but few know what actually occurs when you smell something unpleasant. Your body’s nervous system kicks into gear, making you alert and potentially more awake. Bad smells tap into our fight or flight response, because our brain wants to stay away from something that could harm us. Reversely, essential oils like lavender help to lower blood pressure and have been noted to reduce anxiety and promote sleep in intensive care patients.
Sit by the Fire
There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting around a warm campfire with friends, quietly laughing and talking, until a natural lull falls over the conversation and everyone simply watches the flames, enjoying the peace. As time has gone on, we’ve replaced our fire with TVs, computers and phones. However, fire doesn’t have that annoying blue light that disrupts our circadian rhythm. Even if a campfire is out of the question, lighting several candles and watching them before bedtime can be just as relaxing.
Practice your Breathing
Breathing provides a way for your body to get rid of toxins in your body. If your back and chest muscles are tight, or you're constantly taking shallow breaths without even noticing it, then you may not be feeling as well as you could simply from not taking a full breath. While laying in bed or just relaxing, try taking several long slow breaths from both your chest and belly. Then try just the belly, just the chest, and we can guarantee you'll be ready unwind in no time.
Make Tea
In the same way that you make a ritual of making coffee in the morning, creating a ceremony to start your day, does your nighttime routine get the same attention? If you’re struggling to disconnect from the day, creating the habit of making tea from scratch can not only help you relax, but tell your brain that it’s done for the day. And what’s better than heating the water, hearing its steam, the initial rinse of the tea, pouring it into your favorite cup, taking the first sip and saying “aaaah”? I think I’ll go make myself a cup right now.
Which one of these sounds like it could be your new favorite way to wind down before bedtime? Let us know and tag us on social media for a chance to be featured in our stories!
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