LIFESTYLE NEWS - A public holiday dedicated to the workers across the world is the perfect excuse to take a chill pill. How many times a year do you get to just relax and enjoy doing whatever you feel like doing? For those who cannot afford to book a massage or have a spa day, why not try these easy and inexpensive ways to relax?
1. Sleep
The easiest way to relax and let your body rest is to get good sleep. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep and make sure you do some stretching five minutes before you go to bed. This will help you find a comfortable position to sleep in and relax your muscles while you sleep.
2. Try colouring-in
It might seem like an activity for kids but adult colouring-in is becoming a more popular form of relaxation and meditation approved by psychologists. Go to your local stationery and craft store and get yourself a colouring-in book to help you relax and unlock fond childhood memories of a simpler time.
3. Recipe for relaxation
Start by exhaling completely then inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. Repeat this process until you feel your breathing normalising and your body relaxing.
4. Try the Hoku spot method
This is a popular stress reliever used in Chinese medicine. Squeeze the fleshy place between your index finger and your thumb, apply firm pressure for 30 seconds and you will feel the tension on your upper body releasing.
5. Try an orange or chew peppermint gum
The smell of oranges is known to relieve stress and eating one can reduce stress by 70%, not to mention give you the necessary vitamin C. Chewing on cinnamon or peppermint gum is known to decrease frustration by 25% and increase alertness by 30%.
6. Create your own home spa day
Who says you need to pay a lot of money to pamper yourself. Why not have a bubble bath with some essential oils, do your own facial, make a healthy smoothie, eat your favourite meal, kick up your feet and relax in front of the TV.
