Words by David Baker
No matter where you live in the world, you will have surely felt the pressures of this tough year. The pandemic has taken a toll on everything from the global economy and live entertainment to our precious social lives and, while you may start the day doing your best to have a positive attitude, often the weariness can settle in.
Whether it’s the darker evenings, stressful situations at work or the general uneasiness of the state of the world and the ever-changing restrictions, many of us are finding that we need to seek out ways to relax. It is no surprise that many people feel overwhelmed and it may be reassuring to know that plenty of others are in the same boat. To help you, we’ve sought out some ways in which you can feel almost instantly calm.
From powerful CBD gummies to gentle exercise and switching off from the world, read on for some of our favourite ways to help manage physical and emotional pressure to lead a more relaxing life.
Embrace CBD gummies
You will certainly be aware of the increase in popularity in CBD products and the range of items currently available on the market. The best CBD products for sale do everything from helping people relax to fighting off anxiety, depression and aiding in pain management.
The physical and mental benefits have been widely discussed and by now the difference between CBD and THC should be fully understood. If not, the difference is that the two derive from the cannabis and hemp; THC produces a psychoactive effect whereas CBD does not, hence the relaxation in laws in recent years. There are a few things to look out for before you consume CBD, such as if you are taking blood thinning medication, so a chat with your GP is recommended first.
One of the more popular ways to ingest CBD is through CBD gummies, probably for their ease of consumption and variety of sweet flavours. They should of course be limited but their effects can be felt almost instantly and once an individual is in a better state of mind, better sleep comes with it, which works wonders for the body.
Soothe your muscles, stretch and breathe
Pilates and yoga are both great ways to incorporate measured breathing, gentle stretching and therefore soothed muscles and a more relaxed state in one go. While you may not be in a rush to head to a group class, there are plenty of ways to take part online, whether via a live feed with an instructor or simply through pre-recorded clips on YouTube.
Ideal for soothing aches, switching off from stresses while you concentrate on those moves and your body and perfect for all abilities, this may not be instantly relaxing but it won’t take long at all and the lasting benefits will be worth it.
Find an artistic outlet
Whether you were born with a voice like Beyonce or you could rival Van Gogh in the art stakes or not, it’s time to unleash your creative side. Getting in touch with and finding an outlet for something creative affords you a sense of achievement, just make sure that it is relaxing for you and won’t cause any undue frustration!
Perhaps you could pick up a pen and write some poetry, a short story or pen a letter to a distant relative; sing along to some of your favourite tunes, belt them out, laugh and let it out; draw a picture every day; snap a series of images for a project book; or seek out dancing lessons on YouTube. Whatever it is and whatever your level of ability, do you best to find time for yourself to get creative, relax and have some fun.
Communicate
Whether you live alone or with a whole bunch of people, finding the time to properly connect can be, at times, challenging. If you’re feeling like you’ve been lacking in some connections, write that letter, pick up your phone for a chat, send a message; even the smallest of communications can help you feel less lonely. If you feel that you need to connect a little more then head out with a friend or family member for a walk in a beautiful place, just make sure it’s a positive person who you feel more positive around.
Unplug
So often we look to our phones to entertain us, but unless you’re communicating with someone in a positive way or using it for a creative project, put it down. The same goes for the TV too – you may find watching a film is a relaxing way to spend an evening, and that’s fine, but make sure you do just that then switch it off. Don’t spend your days off staring at a screen, instead get outside and soak up some nature, get some exercise, meet a friend, and make sure you have one whole day a week where you unplug.
