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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.

Roll a fat one, lie in a hammock in a forest alone for 1 hour minimum and turn phone off  and your mind WILL relax. 

To maintain relaxation and mindfulness, I practice deep breathing exercises and guided meditation daily. Nature walks and evening journaling also help me stay calm and focused, promoting a positive mindset and peaceful sleep.

Spending time with my beautiful grandkids. As exhausting as it is at the time it is all worth it for the feeling of love and purity that grand kids radiate. My heart soul and mind feel totally cleansed, refreshed and full of joy. 

There's nothing more relaxing to me than sitting down on the sofa after we've eaten tea, getting my knitting out, watching a movie with our little Jackchi curled up between us snoring. Or having breakfast on my bench in the garden if the weather is nice is my favourite way to start the day. 

Feeding duck and swans, going for a short walk and cuddle a dog! 

Spending time, making memories with my little girl 💕

I love spending time near the ancient oak trees in the forest near where I live

My favourite way to unwind is to go to the pool and swim out 100 lengths 3x a week, getting in the water and feeling weightless is such a great feeling along with giving you a better mindset of you’ve had a tough day. 

Walking is great, and especially if you have a dog. 

Morning and evening walks, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Great to relax, get fresh air and exercise too, especially when working from home 

Relax,switch off, nice cold drink and think about others for 10 minutes

Lying in my room with a good book away from everyone, only place I get peace 

Control your breathing to calm your mind. Anyone can do it, it costs nothing, and it works every time. With practice, you learn to focus and shut out the chatter that causes stress and anxiety. Try it!

Headspace is amazing 

I like to make sure that I plan a weekly activity that I know I love; something to look forward to and keep myself going. For me it’s the cinema. I enjoy watching new stories and experiencing them in the best way possible. 
 

And when the movie is about to start, I take a moment to realise how much I enjoy the cinema and let myself relax and fully emerge myself into the movie. 

Take time to practice the things you enjoy the most and be excited by planning it ❤️

I read a book called “Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world” which has a set of guided meditations, I find that the body scan meditation really relaxes me.

Is there any better for relaxation and mindfulness than sitting on a beach as the sun is setting. Hardly anybody around, just yourself, your thoughts, the sound of the sea and the sun setting. The best way to unwind! 

I find the best way to relax by far is to get some exercise. Whether that's taking a walk in the woods or taking my bicycle out for a ride into the wide open pathways or fields. There's simply nothing but nature to listen to and the thought of where to cycle to next being the only decision making to do - amazing feeling!

Best switch off for me is a long walk in the countryside with my dogs. No earphones, phone on mute, just the sounds of nature and a mind clear. That and a good read next to an open fire.

I work long hours I try and make sure I take a break from my screen every  couple of hours then at the end of the day I walk to my local beach and and listen to the sound of the waves also a long soak  in the bath and some girly programs on TV 

Keep a journal and prioritse the things that make you happy

As someone with a sizeable commute to and from work, nothing helps me to relax more than listening to an audio book whilst driving along - it allows me to escape from & forget the challenges of life for a little while and instead lose myself in the story - I’d recommend it to anyone and everyone

Being on holiday on a cruise ship looking at the sea and seeing Whales or Dolphins leaping out of the water., with a drink in my hand.

I love wild/cold water swimming. I find it so relaxing and good for my overall mental health. Alongside this I also practice Wim Hoff breathing and use the Wim Hoff app for guided breathwork practices. 

I like to spend time unwinding with a game on my mobile to take my mind off the stress of work. 

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