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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.

I like reading a book or to go for a hike where there is no phone service to force me to shut off from the outside world and just enjoy the beauty of nature. I often get quite emotional looking at how beautiful the world can actually be 

I also do meditation videos or apps or YouTube and I’ll do wim Hoffs breathing techniques!  

  • Set Aside Regular Time: Regular, short periods of mindfulness can be more effective than occasional long sessions.
  • Be Present: 
  • Non-Judgmental Awareness: Notice your thoughts and feelings without judging them.
  • Use Reminders: Set reminders to practice mindfulness throughout the day.

going to the seaside and listening to the sound of the sea really helps me to relax 

Get out for a walk and remember that even if you take a step back today life is easier making small improvements over long periods of time rather than everything mounting to one moment. Also eat ice cream :D

I like to light scented candles in my clean living room, declutter the room, have outdoor light flooding the room from the front and back garden, indoor plants bringing happy nature indoors and some of my favourite music on Spotify, phone on silent, nice cup of tea and a penguin, freddo, curly wurly or club chocolate bar. 

Avoiding the temptation to take on too many tasks or commitments in one go and expecting myself to juggle everything within a limited timeframe. It will just end badly!

If you live in a busy household, I'd recommended getting some good quality, comfortable noise cancelling headphones and popping on your favourite relaxing playlist to transport you to your own little sanctuary.

I love going down to my local beach and watching the waves roll in and out, it’s incredibly peaceful. 🌊🐚

Start running, I never thought I would be able to 3 months ago but now run 3-4 times a week and it's great for clearing your head and the endorphins after make you feel great the rest of the day. 

I often struggle to get to sleep and the best relaxation technique I learnt is to listen to your heart beat. It is soothing and the rhythm allows me to relax into sleep.

Sitting in the garden with a cup of tea listening to the birds singing (when the British weather allows) or enjoying a walk in the countryside, no devices, no earphones, no screentime just nature

I like to crochet or sew, especially when following a challenging pattern. It changes my focus.

Hug my daughters 😍

When I can’t sleep and I need to relax I imagine my favourite street in my favourite place in the world and imagine I’m walking down it. I try to remember everything in as much detail as possible, really concentrating on everything. Focusing on the smallest things and before I know it, or rather don’t know it - I’m fast asleep. Try it , it works.

Best way to relax is a good book and a nice cold drink in the sun or a nice hot chocolate under a blanket in the cold

I find listening through a Non Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) is a great way to unwind and reset.

Walk. Especially somewhere green and with water

I find streaming a relaxing music album using ID mobiles 5g speed with a nice rum and coke whilst sat in a hot tub the best way to unwind 

Best tips I have would be: taking a nice long walk in nature, listening to all the sounds, I usually do this with my dog.

Having a lovely hot cup of tea and just sitting there relaxing with it.

 

Listening to a nice calm playlist and focusing on each instrument and lyric.

 

Reading a new book 

 

If you're lucky enough to have a dog or know someone with a dog. Definitely stroking and cuddling one! 

 

Having a drive listening to music windows down

 

Sitting on the floor in silence and doing some deep breathing techniques and unclenching your jaw, relaxing your shoulders and feeling like a weight has lifted. Especially at the end of a day where everything is built up, just relaxing into the breathing 😊

I play video games to relax, and I love fans 

Read a book. Takes your mind somewhere away and you can sit and relax body same time

Being in a woodland setting, in the summer ☀️,  quietly listening to the glorious sound of birds singing and no-one else around. 

I like to use my flexi time on an afternoon and slip off to the local cinema to catch whatever's playing. 

The other week they had the 1985 Back to the Future movie and this week they're showing the Tobey Maguire Spider-man movie.  

I usually go on a hump day (Wednesday) nice break mid week. 

I find booking a flight, jumping on a plane and sitting on a beach usually helps

I’m an ICU nurse and things can get very stressful and I often find it helpful to take a long slow walk at the beach or a walk in the wilderness in the rain. It’s the best feeling just forgetting about everything that goes on in every day life and just listening to nature <3

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