You don’t need to leave your house to relax. You just need to carve out time for yourself, request that others respect your quiet time, and then stick to it.
Your home is already built for relaxation. Here are five ways you can relax and unwind from the comfort of your home:
1. Your backyard
Nature is all around, even if you live in an apartment. Go outside into your backyard, or your apartment’s courtyard, and breathe in the scent of nature. Take a cushion with you and sit underneath a tree. Plop down in the middle of the grass. Take your shoes off, walk around in the grass and the dirt, and feel the Earth beneath your soles.
When you slow down and take in your natural surroundings, you’ll feel restored and your mental performance will improve. According to National Geographic, this has been demonstrated by a group of wilderness backpackers who performed 50% better on creative problem-solving tasks after a three-day backpacking trip.
You don’t need to go backpacking to take in nature. Your backyard, no matter how small, is all you need.
2. Noise-canceling headphones
Everybody has a pair of headphones, even if they’re just simple earbuds provided with the purchase of a smartphone or iPod. Most earbuds and standard headphones are decent, but when you’re trying to relax, nothing beats noise-canceling headphones.
There are two types of noise-canceling headphones: active and passive. Passive noise-cancellation works by using sound-absorbing materials, but that adds extra weight. Active noise-canceling headphones, like the Quiet Comfort series from Bose, are better; they block about 70% of ambient noise. Newer models are wireless and a bit expensive, but you can find older models with a cord for half the price.
How noise-canceling headphones work
Noise-canceling headphones work by using a microphone to detect the frequency of external sounds. The headphones generate frequencies that are 180-degrees out of phase with the external sounds, which cancels them out. This process is powered by a battery.
The first time you use noise-canceling headphones to relax with music, inspirational audio, or a guided meditation, you’ll never go back to anything else.
3. Your fireplace
Whoever invented the fireplace didn’t create it to generate heat. Unlike a wood stove, a fireplace doesn’t generally keep your house warm. It’s more for aesthetics. Sure, you’ll feel slight warmth when you’re huddled up close to the fire, but that’s about it.
After a hard day of work, coming home to a cozy living space is a great way to end the day. It’s wonderful to relax and unwind with a glass of wine in front of a roaring fire. If you live in an apartment or don’t have a real fireplace, get an electric fireplace. They generate infrared heat, and the flames are mesmerizing. Whether you’re relaxing in front of a real fire or an electric one, you’ll feel just as good.
4. Your bathtub
Your bathtub is an opportunity to relax and unwind for an extended period of time. Soaking in hot water relieves muscle tension. Dissolving some Epsom salt in your bath has additional benefits like the absorption of magnesium and sulfates, the reduction of inflammation, and softer skin.
Add more relaxation to your bath by playing relaxing music in the background, lighting some incense, and closing your eyes.
5. Your French press
Your French press isn’t just for coffee. You can brew relaxing loose-leaf teas in a French press, like chamomile, lavender, and dandelion.
To make tea in a French press, pre-heat your French press by pouring hot water into the glass for a minute. Dump it out, and then add your loose-leaf tea. Next, pour the right amount of hot water into the French press, let it steep, and when it’s done, plunge and serve.
To avoid coffee oils mixing in with your tea, get a dedicated French press for brewing tea. Just as you’d wash your French press after brewing a cup of coffee, be sure to thoroughly wash the plunger and screen after every use.
Use your mind to unwind
Last but not least, use your mind to unwind. Take a moment out of each day to appreciate life and soak up the vibes of positivity.