How to Relax

With the utter chaos that 2020 has brought, it is obvious that we are all experiencing some level of stress in our lives. We’ve hit 10+ weeks in quarantine, threats about a second COVID-19 wave are surfacing, and the internet has been delivering disheartening news daily. It’s important to take care of your mental health, and in this post, we discuss several ways you can relax during these trying times.

Listen to Music

As much as we love listening to today’s greatest hits (check out our shared playlist under the “LISTEN WITH US” tab!), Shreya has found that listening to wordless music is much more effective in being able to thoroughly relax (sometimes music with words can lead her into a chain of thoughts that prevents her from de-stressing). During the autumn and winter seasons, Shreya enjoys listening to that season’s specific jazz tunes, whereas throughout the spring and summer, she enjoys listening to relaxing spa music. She finds that she’s able to concentrate (and feel motivated!) on her work, and overall feel relaxed. She’s linked her favorites below, check them out!

Autumn Jazz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0unsm1eh0s

Winter Jazz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-gxNYXogKU

Relaxing Spa Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTrNzuXuh-0

Use Streaming Services

There’s a plethora of streaming services that you can use to watch movies, TV shows, and documentaries (i.e. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO, etc.). Watching a movie from your favorite genre or starting a TV show you’ve always been eyeing is a great way to relax. You can even have a movie night with your loved ones at home! Pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and cuddle up in cozy blankets - it’ll be super relaxing and enjoyable.

Shreya watching Secret Life of Pets 2 on Netflix! She recommends using a streaming player like Roku to organize your media and make it easier to access on your TV.

Do a Skincare Treatment

Since we can’t book any appointments at the salon or spa right now, why not pull out your favorite skincare products and treat yourself at home?! It doesn’t have to be one of those extravagant 14-Step Korean Skincare Treatments (although if you want to, we recommend this one: https://www.brit.co/korean-skincare-routine/), it can be something as simple as putting on a face mask, taking a bath, or exfoliating your skin - whatever helps you relax (and whatever your skin needs, of course!). It can even be a fun activity to do with someone else you’re quarantining with! Give them a skincare treatment and have them give you one - it’ll mimic the spa experience like no other.

Drink Chamomile Tea

This is something Shreya had heard about a long time ago, but only recently tried it out! She really enjoys drinking this, and can feel the relaxing sensations almost immediately after sipping a warm cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile refers to a family of daisy-like plants that contain the antioxidant apigenin, which can reduce anxiety and induce sleep by binding to specific receptors in the brain.

Shreya recommends Taylors Organic Chamomile Tea. She loves it!

Use an Essential Oil Diffuser

Shreya is a huge fan of essential oils and her coveted diffusers! She enjoys creating a variety of blends tailored to the season and her moods and diffusing them around her home. It’s especially great to put on right after deep-cleaning your home, because it boasts the newly-invited freshness! The best part about essential oil diffusers are that they can be used for almost any occasion. Want to spread the cheer and merriness of Christmas? Diffuse frasier fir to enjoy the authentic smell of Christmas trees. Having trouble falling asleep, feeling anxious, or simply want to relax? Diffuse lavender (and Shreya really loves mixing this with some vanilla!) in your bedroom and experience immediate bliss. Want to boost the antibacterial quality of your air? Diffuse a combination of peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon.

Meditate/Do Yoga

Breathing exercises can help to improve blood flow, detoxify the body, and ground your thoughts. You can choose from the plethora of guided meditations available online, or utilize apps such as Calm or Eternal Sunshine (this one sends positive messages periodically, which Shreya loves!). Shreya is a yoga enthusiast (although she hasn’t been keeping up with her yoga routine lately - oops!), and finds it to truly create a newfound energy in her body. Your yoga routine can be as short or as long as you want it to be (Shreya sometimes does a 10-minute routine, and can instantly feel the lasting effects). If you’re looking for motivation, Shreya is going to start a 30-day yoga challenge, and will be updating you on it through this blog - you can do it with her!

Color

Coloring books aren’t limited to kindergartners! In fact, there’s a surge of adult coloring books in the market (with beautiful, intricate patterns!), as many people have found it to be therapeutic and relaxing (and Shreya does too!). Shreya definitely recommends you try this out - it’s really helped her relax from a long day, while invoking her creative side!

Note: Please disregard the alteration in our timeline of posts - there was a bit of a lapse in judgement! We promise it won't happen again hahah.

Love,

Elysianistic Aura