Days stress can get the better of us and filter in to evening stress, high anxiety and inability to sleep. Here are some of our top tips for winding down after a busy day…

Candles

Our scenes are linked to our memory and have the power to impact the way we feel. Aromas and scents have the power to help stimulate relaxation. We know from our experience it certainly helps us relax and sets a relaxing calming atmosphere for an evening wind down.

#FLOFavourite scents:

We are obsessed with these scents they are simply delicious and provide perfect relaxation:

Fougassette Aromatic Candle -  Zara Home

Maison Mini Candle Tins - Anthropologie

Relaxing Bath

A relaxing bath can be enough to wash your stress away. Some scented candles, your favourite book and James Blake playing the background. Create your own state of relaxation. Spotify also have some relaxing playlists worth a try…

#FLOFavourite: We highly recommend relaxing with a Lush bath bomb. Lush have many products that make for a very relaxing bath.  You can’t go wrong with a bubbly lush bomb, a face wash and some wine.

Exercise

Exercise is known to act as a stress relief. Physical activity releases feel good endorphins and is also a good distraction from your daily stress. This can be any form of exercise from high pace aerobics to yoga, brisk walking or dancing.

Meditation

Meditation after work or before bed can help refocus your mind, attention and energy. There are absolutely loads of mediation self help classes on YouTube.

Here are some of our favourite locations to meditate in London:

·      Re:Mind

·      London Buddhist Centre

·      Inner space

Disconnect

Disconnect from work, phones, and screens. Adopt a  ‘leave your work at work’ state of mind and make your home a Zen space. Create some of the following rules for yourself:

• Write a to-do list of things you need to do the next day and put it out of sight and out of mind.

• Have strict phone rules and disconnect from your phone a few hours before bed.

• Take some time for yourself.

Herbal Tea

Herbal teas are helpful to relax and unwind. Some of our favourites that help ease us into a good sleep include:

·      Chamomile Tea

·      Valerian Tea present in Pukka Night Time Tea

·      Aveda Comforting Tea Bags

·      Clipper Snore and Peace

·      Whittard Sleepy Tea

·      Heath and Heather Organic Night Time Tea

·      Sleep Tight Tea

·      Cowsheed Sleepy Cow Tea Bags

Classical Music

Classical music can be a great relaxation tool. Listening to a classical rendition by J.S Bach with dinner or just before bed can help ease ones mind and relive a bit of stress before bed.

#FLOFavourite classical tracks:

·      Air on a G String by J.S Bach

·      Kissing You (Love Theme From Romeo Juliet) by Christopher Armstrong

·      Elegy for the Arctic by Ludovico Einaudi

·      Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie

·      Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi

Read

Relax and unwind with a good book before bed.

 #FLOFavourite night time reads:

• Don’t Worry, Be Grumpy: Inspiring Stories for Making the Most of Each Moment by Ajahn Brahm

• This Book Will Send You to Sleep by Professor Mckoy and Dr Hardwick.

• How to Relax by Thich Nhat Hanh

• Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker.

For more book inspiration head to FLO Lifestyle Books and read some of our book reviews.

Here’s to a more relaxing sleep…