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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.

As a horse rider my one and only way that I relax is to tack up and go for a nice long walk with my best friend through the woods and across fields :) 

Regular tea breaks are essential to stay normalised while working from home, doing something outside that you really like and have a quick chat with someone that appreciates you. Simple yet effective.

Walking with my dog Charlie 

 

Listen to stevie wonder

For those of us who sit in front of computer screens for most of the working day, try to take a 10-15 minute break every hour, stand up and stretch those legs, whether thats to grab another cup of tea/coffee or taking some time to reflect & meditate. Moving away from the office desk helps decompress the spine, keeps the blood circulating and helps prevent eye strain after looking at screens for long periods. I know it’s sometimes hard to find the time, but taking small breaks at regular intervals can be fundamental to physical health & mental wellbeing.

Carve out some time every day to do something you love/enjoy.

I always make sure I have time to read a chapter or two of a book each day

I enjoy sitting near moving water. Listening to the calming sound. 

 

Nothing fancy. Just nature at its best.

Best relaxation & mindfulness is to have a afternoon nap & also to pray 5x a day to Allah. It bring peace & love to the mind, body & soul. 

Cuddle a dog :) 
If I’m feeling stressed, anxious, worried, angry etc… there is nothing more soothing and comforting than having a cuddle with my dog <3

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!

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 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’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

I love to sit under a tree, listening to the wind rustling the leaves as I lose myself in a great book.

I spend time in the garden to relax and recharge. Being outside around plants and hearing birdsong makes me feel grounded and happy.

It's important to spend time doing something you enjoy, whether that be a hobby or just relaxing with a book and a cup of tea. I find this helps me to relax 😌 

Escape to nature. Simple and available to everyone, wherever they are.

When I'm stressed out and want to relax, I make a coffee with my coffee machine, sit in the garden and relax with my dog 

A nice walk in nature followed by relaxing with your feet up on the couch with a good book.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed try to break things down to take the pressure off. One hour at a time, everything in stages. Break large tasks down by doing a section at a time rather than focusing on everything as a whole, just one thing at a time and you will be surprised by how much more you can achieve.

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. 

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! 

Get outside with a cup of coffee and really listen to the sounds of nature, sounds of the birds,  the insects, leaves rustling, even the rain. Before you realise it your breathing has slowed, your jaw unclenches and your shoulders have relaxed. Ready to take on the next challenge.

I find the best way to start my day is listening to a feel good song in the morning before I get out of bed I find that sets me up for the day head to get me in the right mindset followed by a nice cool shower to freshen me up. With two young babies I often struggle to find the time to make time for myself but around work a couple times a week I try to do some excercise whether that be jogging or going to the gym and listening to a podcast I think it centres me gives me some time to myself and get to listen to a book I don't get chance to read otherwise. If I can't get to the gym I'll still try and get out even for a 15 minute walk around the block after the babies are sleeping. It's important to try and find a little bit of time for yourself especially with kids as I think the more relaxed and refreshed you feel the better you can be for them. 

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