Maybe it’s too much time spent frantically bingeing Killing Eve, maybe it’s our national caffeine obsession or maybe it's the constant scrolling, but it’s safe to say we’re all pretty wired these days – and chilling can often be easier said than done.
Part of the problem lies in us viewing winding down as a chore. And it's no wonder; being told "Don’t worry!" over and over again kind of makes it seem like an instruction. But you can’t expect peaceful thoughts to arrive on cue – you have to cultivate them yourself.
In order to do this, you need to care for both your body and your mind, so we’ve rounded up seven things to try to help you feel more centred and peaceful. From facial massage to a calm-inducing tea, here’s how to find some zen in your life…
1. Set the mood
Of course, being able to transport yourself to a Balinese spa for a full-body massage would be ideal, but in the meantime, lighting a few candles isn't going to hurt. Did you know the Danish burn more candles per head than any other European country and they're consistently ranked among the happiest in the world? The combination of lowering the lights, the uplifting and relaxing scent of your chosen candle and the flames themselves flickering can help induce a calmer mindset and give your brain a cue to power down. Try this candle and be enveloped in the soothing scents of warm tea and freshly baked strawberry cake.
Skandinavisk HYGGE Candle, £16, available at Osmology
2. There’s an app for that
While some apps aren’t exactly conducive to relaxing (no, trying to hit a high score on Candy Crush won’t mellow you out), there are plenty of free or super cheap ones to help you find some calm. The aptly named Calm app is a firm favourite in the Refinery29 offices – it gives you guided meditations, calming music and gentle stretching exercises to help you centre yourself and stop your brain whirring so much.
Calm App, free on iOS and Android, available at Calm
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3. Choose calming beauty
Help feed your skin and find your zen by adding Botanics Organic Facial Oil into your routine. It achieves the former through a beautifully nourishing blend of rosehip oil to condition and soothe the skin, along with Omega fatty acids to maintain a supple, glowing complexion. Take some time to gently massage the oil across your cheeks, temples, forehead, nose and chin, and feel any stress or tension melt away, leaving a sense of calm in its place. The lightweight but luxurious texture means there's no sticky aftermath, only nourished skin.
Botanics Organic Facial Oil, £11.49, available exclusively at Boots
4. Make a note
If you find that as soon as you settle in on the sofa, thoughts of to-do lists and life goals and past conversations start taking up the brain space you should be using to focus on Netflix, don’t fight it altogether. Instead of dwelling or trying to ignore them, jot them down in a notebook. The act of writing them down will help to distil your thoughts, making them feel clearer and more manageable rather than a jumble of words.
The School Of Life Journeys Notebook, £15, available at Goodhood
5. Have a cuppa
But not just any cuppa, mind. A warm drink is a great way to help relax, as drinking it will make your body temperature rise, then on finishing, it will drop again, helping you feel calmer. Pukka Relax Tea has chamomile, oat flower and marshmallow root for a deliciously scented and utterly yummy tea that’ll have you feeling miles better by the first sip.
Pukka Relax Tea, £2.49, available at Ocado
6. Join the book club
Rather than reaching for the TV remote or YouTube subscription box, try reading to chill yourself out and relax your mind. There are so many thought-provoking and positive titles out there that teach you valuable lessons about the power of relaxation and a peaceful mindset, so you can feel a tiny bit smug that you're learning while you zen out. This book about the Japanese art of wabi sabi, or accepting imperfections and appreciating their beauty, is a great escapist read to help you destress.
Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, £8.84, available at Amazon
7. Cosy up
You’ve no doubt heard the advice that if you want to get motivated in the gym, you should snap up some new kit. Why shouldn’t the same logic apply to relaxing? No one ever had a good time sitting around in jeans, so invest in some beautiful snug loungewear to help you snap out of the day’s woes. Hush’s super comfy grey marl sweats are like putting on a hug – you’ll probably even want to sleep in them.
Hush Super Soft Joggers, £40, available at Hush
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