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Whether you’re stressed from work or just need to take a moment of calm, it can be hard to remember to fit it in when you have a busy schedule. There is even a day to help people do just that - National Relaxation Day, celebrated annually on August 15th. On that day, we’re encouraged to take a break from stress and anxiety and do something they truly find relaxing. Whether it’s going on spa break or just reading a book – it’s all about having time to chill in a way that works for you.

 

And if you’re looking for another kind of chill, be sure to check out our competition at the bottom of the page. We’re giving away a Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan. Not only is it super powerful, it’s whisper quiet too. So, it won’t interrupt your moment of peace.

 

One of the best ways you can reduce stress in your day is with a little meditation or mindfulness. And there’s no need to run off to a yoga retreat. There are loads of amazing apps that can help you get into the healthy habit of taking some quiet time. Here are 4 of our faves. Deep breath…

 

Apple Fitness+ and Apple Mindfulness

 

 

Apple Fitness+ has guided meditation sessions with experienced teachers – from 5 to 45 minutes per session. But it’s not all just sitting and breathing. Their Mindfulness Cooldown combines stretching with relaxation, and they have lots of yoga classes too. As for the meditation, it’s cut into different categories to help you with specific issues - whether it’s stress reduction, improved sleep or enhanced focus. Meanwhile, Apple Mindfulness is specifically for Apple Watch owners. On the small, square screen you can either follow a full meditation session or you can get a reminder to take a few rejuvenating breaths.

 

Fitness+ on iOS

Mindfulness on Apple Watch

 

Headspace

 

 

Headspace is one of the most well-known meditation apps, famous for its user-friendly interface and massive library of guided meditations. With its search function, you can find a meditation for almost any situation. Woke up in the night and can’t get back to sleep? There’s a meditation for that. And sleep stories too. Going on a walk and what to be more mindful? There’s a mindful activity you can listen to. They have podcasts, daily schedules that are easy to follow and courses galore. Headspace makes meditation accessible for beginners while also providing advanced content for aspiring yogis.

 

Available on iOS and Android

 

Calm

 

 

Calm is another highly popular app that focuses on meditation, relaxation and getting better sleep. Not only will you find traditional meditation practices, but there’s famous voices reading bedtime stories, soothing soundtracks and breathing exercises designed to help you unwind. The app's Daily Calm feature provides a new meditation each day, making sure you stick to mindfulness practice. And there are also long-term courses you can take tailored to what you want to get out of mindfulness. 

 

Available on iOS and Android

 

Balance

 

 

Balance was created to fit the needs of whoever’s using the app – so no two experiences are alike. Balance asks users a series of questions to understand their goals, then tailors meditation programs to fit. Whether your goal is to reduce anxiety, improve focus or get on in your career, Balance helps you build a mindfulness practice you can stick to - and that will evolve with your progress. You can always adjust the time of your meditation sessions. So, there’s always the chance to find a quick moment of calm, even if you’re rushing out the door!

Right now, Balance is doing a one-year free membership – so it might be worth a go.

Available on iOS and Android

 

So, why not whip out your phone, download a few of these apps and see which one works for you.

 

Win a Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan FA220UK!

 

 

Want to stay calm and cool? We’re giving away a Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan FA220UK. It’s cool, super quiet and has 12 different modes – including outdoors, cordless and tabletop – so you can take it with you pretty much anywhere. It’s also water resistant, so is even pool splash and British summer weatherproof too! 

To enter, just share your best relaxation and mindfulness tips with the Community below.

Entries close at 23:59 on 19th August 2024. Winners are chosen at random, and we'll announce the lucky iD community member shortly after. Stay calm, you’ve still got time to win.

Turn your phone to airplane mode and go for a walk. Don’t think about where you are going, just walk! Listen to the outside sounds, touch leaves and trees. Notice the birds, the architecture, beauty in the faces of the people you pass, smile at them. Get a little treat when you don’t want to walk any more. Walk back, or take a bus. Turn your phone back on and tell the people that matter you love them. 


After a long day at work I love to take the dogs out for a long walk and leave the phone at home.


Mediation or prayer are beautiful. Especially in the sunshine on grass. 


Enjoy the countryside.

Reading a book.


Hi I am a 70 year old, I recently lost my faithful springer Spaniel Harry to cancer. I have found the very best way to relax, rewind and regroup, gather my thoughts and ‘switch on’ my gratitude cells is simply to sit in our garden and really look at the bees and birds, the flowers and greenery around me. I simply absorb the power of nature to heal. Do not dismiss the real power of nature, it’s a gift everyone can share.🤗


Grounding is the way I do it...Shoes off, a walk round in the garden taking in the all the beautiful plants and nature that surrounds me. The negative ions are eradicated and a good relaxing sleep is what I'm rewarded with.


love to go lay in a dark room cooled by a fan with no noise from tv,radio etc and sink into a relaxed frame of mind.lovely


BLISS! Relaxing in an aromatherapy bath by candlelight, with a glass of Prosecco and Michael Buble singing to me. THIS is definitely a little luxury when it happens which helps me to de-stress, composure my thoughts and relax.


i use the unplug app to wind down at bedtime. I love to do yoga or meditation.  If I need fresh air a good long walk with my dog will de-stress me. 


The best option is working on the garden. Building a new shed is good for me.


The best way to be able to relax is meditation with lying down on the bed or the floor closing your eye's & imagining that your either leaving your room going out through Patio Doors & outside & lying down on the beach  by the Sea or at the side of a swimming Pool. 


Fall asleep listening to an audio book, it’s very relaxing and sends you to sleep in no time 📖 


Take some time out for yourself everyday, read an article a book, take a bath, enjoy a cuppa tea looking at nature


EchoChill

You play a low humming noise in the background with little other sensual disturbance. Just the hum similar to a fan noise. Breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds and breath out. Do this for 30 seconds for a burst of endorphin and a cessation of cortisol release 

 

 


A mug of Pukka night time tea, and no screens for a hour before bed. Helps me rebalance before bed 😊


Pick something you do every day such as walking to work, brushing your teeth or even making a cup of tea. Do it mindfully - that way you get a little bit of mindfulness every day and you don’t even need to set aside any time for it!


Go for a walk, as much as I try and relax at home, there is always something that needs doing. I find going for a walk helps. I set myself a step goal or a time goal depending on whether I need to clear my head or contemplate something. 


 I quite like the more structured mindful exercises such as the BODY SCAN MEDITATION.  Lie on your back with your legs extended and arms at your sides, palms facing up. Focus your attention slowly and deliberately on each part of your body, in order, from toe to head or head to toe. Be aware of any sensations, emotions or thoughts associated with each part of your body. Also the  SEATED MEDITATION. Sit comfortably with your back straight, feet flat on the floor, and hands in your lap. Breathing through your nose, focus on your breath moving in and out of your body. If physical sensations or thoughts interrupt your meditation, note the experience and then return your focus to your breath


Sit quietly for 10 minutes, deep breaths in through nose, out through mouth, close your eyes and think of your happy place. This can be anything that means something to you. Mine is a waterfall, feel the wind and spray on your face and hear the sounds it makes. I find this is good for relaxation and relieving stress.


I am 77 and always every day have one hour of mindfulness and listen to my body and take notice of what it is telling me.    Keith


There are multiple things that have now become part of my daily routine without even thinking about it. I always listen to a podcast on the way to work and music on the way home. Nothing beats when you’re in your car belting out musicals thinking you are performing on the west end. A walk, cycle or paddle board on days off and a good read of a book before going to sleep. 


Take a ride on a ferry. Seeing the sea, feeling the breeze is the best feeling! May I suggest the ferries across the Solent. 😊 


Go outside and breathe deeply, listen to the world around you. Do this in all weathers, just wear appropriate clothing! By doing this your brain gets chance to reset, ready for whatever is ahead of you.


To relax I put all my worries at the cross, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4.6-7


All I need to forget about the gruelling 12 hrs of nonstop hard labour with temperatures reaching Almost 40°C next to the industrial curing ovens on the shop floor is to see the excitement bursting out of my gorgeous little Frenchie just because I'm home. (Would be nice to have a new Shark fan waiting for me as well)


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