3 Tips for Managing Stress for a Better Night’s Sleep

We all know how wonderful it feels when we get a great night’s sleep, we wake full of energy and ready to take on the world! Despite all of us knowing how good sleep is for us, it seems less of us are getting enough of the good stuff, and our health is suffering as a result. One of the biggest causes of missed sleep is stress. We flick off the lights and lay our head on our nice soft pillow, but instead of drifting off to the land of nod the little voice in our head begins to list all the worries we have for the following day.

Stress and sleep are strange bedfellows. The more stressed we are, the less likely we are to sleep well. But then the worst we sleep the more likely we are to develop anxiety, stress and even depression. A cruel cycle indeed; it’s all quite unfair! What can be done to break this cycle? Well, below I’m going to let you in my top tips on how to get more sleep and reduce your stress levels.

Get into A Routine

Regularity is probably the most important thing anyone can do to help improve their sleep. The human mind craves routine. Doing the same thing at the same time helps the brain build associations and with its shortcuts.

Go to bed at the same time every day, get up at the same time. Whether it is the weekday or the weekend, try and keep to the same time. Note, your body doesn’t care about weekends, Saturday is nothing more than a social construct. You will soon find your brain knows what time sleep should be and will start to prepare for it.

The same principle lays behind a having a good pre-bed wind-down routine. Avoiding screens in the hour before bed will help your overstimulated brain slow down. Replacing any activity that involves even the remotest possibility of stress with low key, relaxing things instead will do wonders.

So, that means no more tax returns, flight booking or attempting to help your son with their math homework before bed. Instead, why not slow down, read a book, listen to some music, or even take a nice hot bath.

For other ideas on what makes a great pre-bed routine, plus a host of other tips on how to improve your odds of a good night’s kip, check out the Sleep Advisor blogroll.

Take A Nice Hot Bath

Speaking of baths, AH! What is more relaxing than soaking into the bubbles and having a nice long bath before bed? A lot of people swear by it, Oprah Winfrey for one. If it is good enough for the queen of daytime, it’s good enough for us!

Pre-bed bath enthusiasts often claim it’s the toasty warmth of a good soak that lulls them to sleep. Well, they are partially right. Having a hot bath before bed is great for inducing sleepy times but not for the reason they think.

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When you have a hot bath, a process known as vasodilation takes place, this is where the blood rushes to the skin. Hence why you get rosy cheeks. When you then step out of your nice warm bath all this heat at the surface of your body is transferred to the cold air around, and you experience a massive thermal dump, and your core temperature plummets. It’s this cooling effect that is incredibly soporific.

Having a hot bath, or an ice-cold shower will have a similar impact. It’s just a hot bath is a far more pleasurable experience. Both are ways to help you de-stress at the end of a long day and get your body and mind in a good place for sleep time.

Calm That Monkey Mind

One method to calm that chattering voice in your head at night is to take up a little meditation. And no, before you ask, meditation is not just for monks and hippies. Though, these two groups do seem pretty relaxed!

Everyone can benefit from the effects of a little meditation. It’s free and requires nothing but a place to sit. To genuinely feel the benefit it does, however, require the commitment of at least 15 minutes each day.

It might sound dramatic but meditation over time essentially works by reprogramming our brain.

I know that sounds outlandish, the brain scans substantiate such claims.

Daily sessions of simply sitting and observing whatever images and ideas that float through our mind’s eye, help us realize how futile it is to worry about every little thought. This helps to free us from negative patterns of thoughts, reduce anxieties and de-stress. Find a quiet corner and give it a go.

Well there you go – three simple and completely free (if you don’t count bath salts) ways reduce your stress levels and help improve your odds of a great night’s rest. A little unsure, well, why not give them a whirl. What’s the worst thing that can happen? You miss a bit of sleep!

Meet the Author

Hi there, my name’s Sarah, and I’m a sleep addict. I simply can’t get enough of the good stuff. When I’m not lying in bed dreaming (mainly of Chris Hemsworth) I spend the better part of every day researching and writing about sleep. I genuinely believe the world would be a happy, healthier, and even safer place to live if we all took sleep a little bit more seriously. Sweet dreams!

Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.

Promote Relaxation At Home With These 5 Tips

Does your home make you feel relaxed? Is it a haven you long to retreat to at the end of a frantic day? For many of us, our home is the place we feel happiest, but it doesn’t always provide relaxation. If you’re on a mission to promote relaxation and calm at home, keep reading!

Decluttering

Clutter can affect the aesthetic of your home, but it can also interfere with the vibe and ambiance. If you walk through the door to be confronted with stuff everywhere, you’re not going to feel relaxed. Clutter makes your home look small and cramped, and it can contribute to stress. The best course of action is to have a clearout.

Let Go Of What You Don’t Use

Most of us are guilty of hanging onto things we don’t really need or even want. Over the course of time, molehills can become mountains. If you’ve got piles of boxes, or shelves and racks stuffed full of clothes or shoes you haven’t worn for months, now is the time to pull your sleeves up and get organized.

Go through each room one by one, and create separate piles. Make one mound of items you want to keep. Then, make one pile of the things you could donate or sell. And finally, make one pile for the trash. Box up anything you plan to sell or give away and then find a home for everything you want to keep. Fold clothes and keep them in a wardrobe, chest or closet and store your shoes on racks or in boxes.

Next, move to another room and repeat the process until your home is free from anything you no longer want. Gather everything you want to dispose of and take a trip to the dumpster.

Storage

If you’re short on storage once you’ve tidied up, it’s worth considering your options. You could put up some shelves for books, DVDs, games, frames or ornaments or you could buy a new chest of drawers or wardrobe to store clothes. If you don’t want to buy new, you could save money by upcycling a second-hand piece of furniture. You might even try storing items meant for a different season in a garage or storage space out of sight. Decluttering isn’t a fun job that most of us look forward to, but you’ll feel a lot better once you’ve ticked this task off your list.

5+ Ways to Promote Relaxation At Home couch living room

Setting Up Relaxing Spaces

There are certain parts of a home that are geared towards activity and engagement, but sometimes, you need peace and quiet or time to reflect, chill out, and spend a bit of time alone. Your home should cater to your every mood. You may want a kitchen that is a thriving hub of the house or a relaxed and peaceful office space. Just as you want your living areas to deliver when you’re cooking or socializing, you also want other rooms to satisfy your needs. Where do you go when you want to read a book, listen to music, draw, paint, or knit? If you haven’t got any places where you can just kick back and unwind, you need to. It’s a good idea to think about how and where you could set up relaxing spaces in your home.

Using Space

There are various options you could consider. If you’ve got a spare room you never use, why not convert it into a reading room, a creative studio, a tranquil office space or a music room? If you haven’t got a ready-made space, you could section off an area of an existing room. Consider a guest room, for example. If you rarely have visitors staying over, you could create a dual-purpose room. This room could cater to guests, but also give you the space you need to relax or pursue your hobbies. If you enjoy writing, for example, you could place a desk and chair in the bedroom or swap the bed for a sofa bed. Likewise, if you love reading, trade the desk for a bag chair and fill your shelves full of your favorite books.

Space & Value

Alternatively, if you’re looking for ways to add space and value, it may be possible to convert the loft or the basement. If this is an option that you’d like to pursue, get some quotes, talk to real estate agents, and create a budget. If the numbers add up, you can then turn your attention to interior design and start styling your relaxing new space.

5+ Ways to Promote Relaxation At Home bedroom

Getting Your Bedroom Right

The bedroom is the most important room in the house for relaxation. If your bedroom isn’t a comfortable space, you may find it difficult to switch off which could affect your sleep patterns. For a serene, soothing boudoir, stick to light, neutral shades or pastels. These shades are proven to have a calming effect. Add textures to create a cozy vibe, and avoid bright lights. If you like to have a lot of light, for example, for applying makeup, fit a dimmer switch so that you can soften the mood when you’re ready to get into bed.

When you walk into your room, you should feel your shoulders relax, and tension leave your body. If your bedroom isn’t delivering at the moment, consider a mini makeover. You don’t have to spend a fortune or hours painting and decorating. Altering the colors, adjusting the lighting and adding throws, blankets, rugs, and cushions could make all the difference.

Lighting

Lighting has a real impact on the feel of the room, as well as the way it looks. When you’re shopping, think about the kind of mood you want to create. Do you want bright lights that will illuminate a large space and perk you up? Or maybe do you want soft lighting that adds a romantic vibe?

Lighting by Room

In rooms like the kitchen and study, you probably want a lot of light, but in the bedroom, reading room or snug, it’s best to go for softer options. Dimmer switches are a great idea for multi-purpose rooms like the living room. You can adjust the lighting to suit your mood at the touch of a button. For the ultimate in relaxation, switch off lamps and wall lights and light some candles. Scented candles are particularly beneficial, especially if you’re running a bath or you’re getting to ready to curl up and chill out with your bedtime playlist or a book. If you have children or pets, and you’re worried about safety, use LED candles.

Choosing The Right Colors

Let’s pretend you were presented with a series of colored flashcards. Then, somebody asks you to choose a word that represented how you feel when you see that color. You’d probably find that you have different words for every shade. Color has an impact on our mood, and it can also affect our energy levels. Bright shades of yellow, for example, make us feel energetic and happy. More subtle tones like pale blue and gray can make us feel calm. When you’re decorating or planning a room-revamp, think about how you use color. Additionally, think about which shades you use in each room. If you’ve got garish colors and prints in your bedroom, for example, you may find that swapping them for more understated tones will help with relaxation.

5+ Ways to Promote Relaxation At Home house plants houseplants

De-stress with Plants

If you’re a fan of interior design, you may be aware that the natural look is popular at the moment (I am obsessed with it). This is great news for plant lovers, not just because potted plants look fabulous, but also because they have calming properties. Studies show that plants can help to make you feel less stressed. They also purify the air.

You can use plants of all shapes and sizes to decorate rooms. Don’t be afraid to bring the outdoors in, and add a fresh, clean feel to your home. There are hundreds of different types of houseplants, but popular options that are proven to de-stress include aloe, English ivy, rubber trees, peace lilies, bamboo and spider plants.

If you have pets, take care when choosing plants and flowers to display indoors, as some plants are poisonous to cats and dogs. Ask your vet for advice. Many people assume that it’s hard work to keep plants alive, but most houseplants are very low maintenance. All you need to do is find a sunny spot and water your plants on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Most of us dream of a home that makes us feel safe, secure, happy, and relaxed. If your house doesn’t quite feel like a homely haven yet, there are lots of ways you can set the tone and create spaces that enable you to unwind and chill out. Before you turn your attention to a revamp, declutter and clear some space. You can then think about changing colors, furniture, and adjusting lights. Use the space you have available to indulge your interests and enable you to enjoy some time out.

Focus on creating the right atmosphere in your bedroom. Think about how different colors affect your mood and don’t be afraid to try and hone your green-thumb skills and introduce some greenery and foliage.

This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.

How to Make Your Home Zen

Your home should be a peaceful sanctuary. It should be a place where you can relax and de-stress. If this is not the case, it is time to make some critical changes. But, where should you begin? Read on to discover some mindful ways you can make your home more Zen.

Eliminate Clutter

There is only one place to begin, and this is by getting rid of clutter. Clutter makes it impossible to unwind. Start with one room at a time, and get rid of as many items as possible. Only keep the essentials. Everything should have its own space – and this space shouldn’t be a random corner of the room or the coffee table. To stay on top of this Zen-like clutter-free space, operate the one in, one out rule. Whenever you buy something new, something else has to go.

Add Some Plants

Indoor green plants are a must. Not only does their soothing green color look amazing, but also plants provide oxygen. They improve the indoor air quality, which ensures a more comfortable living environment. However, choose your plants carefully. Don’t go for plants that emanate disturbing scents or those that need special maintenance. Good options are hanging terrariums and bonsai trees.

Keep Decorations & Ornaments To A Minimum

Simplicity is key when it comes to wall decorations. Avoid overly congested collections of photos and paintings and don’ fill your shelves with decorative statues.

Focus on All Senses

To create a state of Zen, you need to focus on all senses. It’s not just about what you see. It is also about what you smell and what you feel. Layer a room with different textures. Also, make sure your house has a relaxing, sweet yet subtle smell. Vanilla and lavender are good choices.

Mental Health, Physical Health, and Your Home

Keep Furniture Natural & Simple

Clear and simple lines characterize Zen style furniture. Avoid excess ornamentation and complicated detail. Also, avoid a plethora of patterns and styles, keep it plain and simple.

Let in the Light

Natural light is a feature of any Zen home. You cannot expect to relax if you are merely relying on one harsh overhead in a room. Changing your window or investing in a skylight may be a significant investment, but it is well worth it. You can read this home renovation e-book for more advice. Regarding artificial lighting, make sure you have numerous sources per room, rather than lighting a space with just one overhead bulb.

Go for Earthy Colours

Last but not least, natural colors that are in soft tones are a must. Suitable examples include beige, dusty pink, white, and grey. Choose harmonious colors that have the power to induce a sense of calmness and relaxation. Everything needs to tie together naturally. Each room should have a good flow to it.

As you can see, there are many different ways you can make your home completely Zen. From buying some indoor plants to eliminating clutter, it does not cost a lot to make your property more relaxing.

Having A Home that Feeds the Senses

When it comes to our homes, most people design them solely with one thing in mind: how they look! But remember, that sight is just one of the senses you’ve been blessed with. As such, you can add a lot to your home just by having additions that feed the other senses. Below, we take a look at a few easy to incorporate features that’ll make your home the ideal space to unwind and relax in; and your whole body will agree.

Set the Mood

You probably already know just how important lighting is to your home, but it’s worth repeating; because so much of how we feel is related to lighting. On dark days, we’re prone to melancholic introspection; on bright sunny days, we’re in love with everyone and everything! The question is, what does your home do for you? You should have different approaches for how you light your home, depending on the season. In the winter, you want to invoke that Danish ‘hygge’ concept, and keep things atmospheric and cozy. In the summer, it’s all about letting in as much natural light as possible.

Adding Nature

Most of us spend the majority of our time inside but keep in mind that humans are supposed to be out there, living with nature. Of course, few people would really sign up for that these days, but you can still get your fill of nature – and have a feature that seemingly speaks to all the senses all at once! Look at buying some plants, and place them around the home. They’ll brighten up the place when it’s raining outside, and will boost your mood regardless of what’s going on out in the world! And if you need some convincing, just take a read of the New York woman that filled her home with plants – she doesn’t regret it!

Aromatic Scents

A home can look terrific in photographs, but when you get in there? Oh dear, there’s an odd smell that seriously undermines the otherwise gorgeous aesthetic. And what’s worse is that homeowners often get used to the smell, but their guests don’t! If you notice your home has a funky smell and you can’t figure out why, get the help of plumbing services; chances are, it’s because of something that’s happening in your drains. Once the problem has been taken care of, take your home in the opposite direction by having a candle, aromatic diffuser, or incense burning throughout the day.

Sinking In

You might think that touch doesn’t really come into play in your house, but it really does! After all, what are you sitting on? How are you getting cozy? Where are your hands when you’re chatting with your friends? Buy blankets, throws, and the like with your hands and body in mind, and also remember to keep everything nice and clean. Nothing will make you feel “gross” more quickly than sticky, dusty, or otherwise dirty surfaces.

Our homes affect us in so many ways, and this includes our senses. Get it right!

5 Self-Care Tools To Amplify Your Self-Care Regimen

Self-care is a big deal and should be taken seriously. If you are not going to invest in yourself and your happiness and fulfillment, then what will you invest in? The following products are great investments to help amplify your regular self-care regimen.

Massage Tools

Most people don’t have the money nor the time to head out to a masseur when they get a bit of pain or tension in their back. However, you can still fix the problem and feel the benefits of a good massage by investing in a massage ball. A massage ball is just one of many self-massage products that you can find on the market right now, so why not try it out for yourself?

journal, notebook, marble, pink, baby pink,

Journaling for Self-Care

Another great investment in yourself is to Journal. Journals are fantastic for helping you process your thoughts and clear your mind of stress. When you take the time to sit down and process things in writing, you will get a better perspective on the things happening in your life. Here are some of my favorite journaling tools:

B. Welly Products: I love all of them, they are simply great!
Essential Notebooks: These are my all-time favorite, and they come in grideline, dot matrix, blank, and ruled.
Papermate Flair Felt Tip Pens: These pens write amazing and come in beautiful colors.

Invest In A Quality Mattress

You spend hours of every day sleeping in your bed. The mattress you sleep on will, therefore, have a big impact on how you feel throughout the day. With the right support, you will surely feel better. ChooseMattress is a mattress brand that will help you to have fewer aches and pains each day. The condition of your spine is vital, so do yourself a favor and make this upgrade sooner rather than later.

Self-Care Candles

Scented candles are perfect for relaxation, so why not invest in some for yourself? You will really benefit, and it makes those moments of relaxation in your home even more relaxing and enjoyable. We all know that those moments are few and far between when you lead a busy lifestyle, so why not make the most of them? I LOVE candles and recommend them to everyone. Read more about setting up a relaxing bath for the ultimate self-care experience here.

Fitness Gear

If you really want to be kind to yourself, you should try being physically active. To make it that little bit easier and to give yourself some much-needed motivation, you should buy yourself some fitness gear. Becoming physically active is one of the most beneficial forms of self-care because it not only strengthens your body, but it also strengthens your mind!

Looking after yourself sometimes comes at a price, and what better thing to spend money on than your mental health and happiness? Each of these tools will help your wellness in different ways, so be sure to make the most of them next time you want to treat yourself.

10 Quick and Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love

Self-Love is so good. Not only is it essential to feel comfortable and happy in your own skin, but it’s essential to build confidence in all areas of your life. There are endless ways to practice self-love, but here are 10 of my favorite self-love practices (in no specific order, of course). This post may contain affiliate links.

Meditation | How to Keep Calm During the Holidays

Meditate

Meditation. For some people, this word or idea is intimidating or unappealing. We often think of meditating as sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat humming “OM” to yourself. If you want to meditate this way, go for it! But that is not the only way to meditate!

Meditation is essentially emptying the mind while practicing intentional awareness. This doesn’t have to be done sitting on a yoga mat. You can meditate while walking, or while eating a snack. All you should do is focus your energy and attention on something like your breathing, the taste of your snack, or the wonderful nature around you!

Maybe try taking a walk without your phone or your dog—just you and nature. Or you could mute your TV commercials and eat a cracker. While eating this cracker, eat it slowly and pay attention to all the flavors and textures. Do some deep breathing while lying in bed or in the bathtub. Mix it up and do whatever works for you!

10 Quick and Easy Ways to Practice Self-Love

At Home Spa Time

This is quite a popular way to practice self-love. It’s popular because it works! Set up your own personal spa with a beautiful bath, face mask, candles, and whatever else relaxes you! Learn more about creating the best bath for relaxation here!

Setting up the perfect bath and adding other little relaxers to the environment is a great way to settle down after a long day of work! And once you’re soothed, you can’t help but get an amazing night’s sleep! Which leads to number three.

Sleep

Get enough sleep! I cannot drill this enough, if you follow my posts, you already know what a huge fan of sleep I am. I encourage everyone to get the recommended eight hours of sleep as often as possible.

A sleep-deprived brain does not function normally. In fact, a sleep-deprived person functions as if they are too drunk to legally drive. Showing self-love meanings taking care of every aspect of yourself, including safety and mental functioning. Get enough sleep to avoid putting yourself at risk and to help clean up your mental functioning. Check out this post on creating a bedroom for better sleep.

Eat Well

Everyone knows, taking care of yourself generally includes eating well. Now, I’m not suggesting you never have dessert again. I sure couldn’t do that! But make sure you’re getting the nutrients and calories you need to be healthy! Avoid too many sugary foods and greasy foods and try to instead eat more fruits and nuts.

Included in healthy eating is drinking water. Water is so important for both physical and mental health. A dehydrated body is not a healthy one. Be sure to drink several 8-ounce glasses of water each day!

Eating well is such a great way to practice self-love because you are showing yourself that your health is important and that you want to feel healthy and happy!

Light Candles and Set the Mood

Set a relaxing scene to help you wind down from a stressful or busy day. Setting the mood works well with the At-Home-Spa. After coming home from a stressful day or work, light a few candles, dim the lights, diffuse lavender, or whatever else relaxes you! By setting a relaxing environment, you are setting yourself up for relaxation.

Allowing yourself this time or relaxation or relaxing environment is so good for an evening wind-down. Not only is it great to feel relaxed, it will help you sleep better and ultimately, feel healthier.

Find a Hobby You Love

Unfortunately, we can’t all love our jobs, and even if we did, a hobby is so fulfilling. When you do something you love, simply because you love it and you can, you will feel full and ready for the next challenge life throws at you.

Simply living a work to home and repeat kind of life is exhausting and you will eventually burn out. If you break up that cycle with something you love, you will be amazed at how much happier you really will be!

Now a hobby doesn’t have to be fishing or painting. You might collect something or exercise, perhaps you enjoy walking and looking at flowers regularly. It’s all perfect! Just break up the mundane with some fun! Trying exploring your interests, hobbies can be nearly anything, for example, backpacking.

Unplug

Spend some time each week or even each day to completely unplug. When I say unplug, I mean completely unplug. No TV, no internet, no social media, no Netflix, no nothing. Just you and a book or the laundry, maybe a spouse or close friend. Allowing yourself some social media detox time will feel amazing, trust me. Try it!

We are constantly bombarded with visual stimuli in the form of tweets, emails, videos, etc. It is so exhausting to never get a break from the non-stop notifications. Give yourself a break and allow a mental reboot. Put your phone away for a half hour each night!

Keep Clean and Organized

I understand, not everyone cares about keeping clean or keeping organized, but it is so good for your self-care and is a form of self-love! Living in chaos often leads to feeling chaotic. Even though some people thrive in chaos, chaos increases stress.

Decreasing stress through organization and cleaning is easy! Try starting by organizing one area of your life at a time. Start with your dining room, then, once you’ve got the hang of that move on to your car. Start small and work yourself up to the bedroom or your purse, maybe even your files.

Once you have gotten organized, your stress will decrease. How can reducing unnecessary stress be bad!? Give it a go, maybe you’ll surprise yourself!!

Practice Good Posture

Slouching promotes sluggish and lazy feelings. Have you ever tried sitting up straight for a day? Your confidence, focus, mood, and physical well-being is guaranteed to skyrocket! Granted, physical results won’t be immediate like the emotional and mental results will be.

Sitting up straight after being so used to slouching is not easy on your body. It’s not easy because you are using muscles differently and are using new muscles entirely! But go talk to your chiropractor, sitting up straight is SO good for you!

Back to emotional and mental results, as these will be almost immediate. When your body is up and alert, you can’t help but feel better and feel alert as well! Ever hear about using exercise balls at your desk instead of chairs? They not only work your abdominal muscles, but they force you to sit up straight, improving your posture, and help you feel more focused and confident.

I can’t think of a reason not to give it a shot!

Embrace You

Everything I’ve talked about so far is an activity—a regular practice. But number 10, embrace you, is so much more than that. Sure, embracing yourself is something to be practiced regularly. But it is also a frame of mind, a way of life. Embracing yourself is perhaps the most important of these self-love practices, and if you take nothing else away from this post, I hope you understand the importance of accepting yourself.

How do you embrace or accept yourself? That’s a good question that has a different answer for everyone. For some people, embracing who you are means to let go of a concern for other’s opinion of you. For others, it might mean accepting your flaws a beautiful. And for some, accepting and embracing means finding the motivation to become who you want to be instead of who is expected of you.

Acceptance is 100%, without a doubt, completely up to you. No one can do it for you, and you ought not to put it off. The sooner you love yourself unconditionally, the sooner you will feel joy from life. But it’s difficult, and only you can define it.

You’re not alone in this journey, we are all looking for self-acceptance. We are in this together. So, let’s love ourselves together!

Secrets to Designing a More Tranquil and Relaxing Home

Your home should be your tranquil sanctuary, your escape from the world. However, if you don’t take steps to ensure that your home is a relaxing place for you to relax and unwind in, then you won’t be able to make the most of the space.

When you look around your home, how do you feel? Do you feel relaxed and calm or do certain areas of your home make you feel anxious and stressed out? If it is the latter, then the chances are that your home is lacking some vital features, and it is time to change that.

Want to know how you can transform your home into a more relaxing and tranquil space? Read on for everything that you should know to create a home that has a more relaxed and tranquil vibe to it.

Secrets to Designing a More Tranquil and Relaxing Home

Be Choosy About Your Home’s Color Scheme

Did you know that the color scheme of a space can have an impact on how relaxing it is? That is why spas, and other relaxing places, tend to stick to a certain color palette, to help ensure that they are as relaxing and tranquil as possible. When it comes to using relaxing colors, natural tones tend to work well, as do neutral colors. Think seafoam blue, sand yellow, moss green, and stone grey, as well as cream and white shades. For a more relaxing home, stick to muted, pastels and neutrals, and avoid using bold, bright colors. For inspiration and ideas, Pinterest is an amazing tool!

Incorporate the Right Relaxing Scents

How relaxing and tranquil a place feels is often linked to scents. You see, when it comes to how relaxed we feel, our senses, particularly our sense of smell, are a vital part of the process of relaxing. That’s why incorporating certain scents into your home can have a big impact on how relaxing the space is, and how easy it is to unwind there. There are lots of ways that you can incorporate scents into your home, from using wax melters and potpourri to investing in an HVAC scent system or dotting reed diffusers through the house. Make sure that whatever scents you choose to incorporate, they are smells that you find relaxing. While lavender relaxes some people, it does not work for others – everyone has different tastes.

Lead A More Minimalist Life

When it comes to more stressful home atmospheres, often the number one cause is clutter. A cluttered home is a stressful home, which is why it is so important to take the necessary steps to lead a more minimalistic life and have a less cluttered home. Take the time to have a clear out and get rid of any junk that you no longer need, and your home should become a more relaxing space.

There you have it, all the best kept secrets about designing a more tranquil and relaxed home where you can switch off at the end of a long and stressful day.

This post was written in collaboration. This means that while I have added to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to write a post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.

Meditation | How to Keep Calm During the Holidays

Meditation is one of those commonly misunderstood forms of self-care. This post will talk all about meditating to stay calm and to lessen anxieties during the holidays.

The holidays are a hectic time full of great times, but also full of stress and anxiety. It can sometimes be hard to stay calm and avoid these feelings. When experiencing holiday anxiety or stress it is important to find a way to combat it. There are countless ways to do so, one of the most effective forms of holiday relaxation is meditation and mindfulness.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is often thought of as a religion. While it is used by religious people and has ties to religions such as Buddhism, on its own it is not a religion. A good resource for learning more about meditation, or self-examination, is Gaiam. Gaiam states, “Meditation is an approach to training the mind, similar to the way that fitness is an approach to training the body.”

So, meditating is all about your mind. There are many ways to meditate. One way that we will focus on is mindfulness meditation.

How Meditation Will Help Calm During the Holidays

Mindfulness meditation refers to a focus on experiencing what is going on. You focus on your body and your mind and you become aware and mindful of your surroundings and how they influence your body and your mind. Learn more about how to practice mindfulness meditation here.

So how exactly will self-examination help to keep you calm during the holidays? Well, it’s like yoga (in fact, yoga is a form of meditation really), so it allows you to be aware of how you’re feeling. And the more you practice it, the more in tune with yourself you will become.

Once you can recognize the incoming holiday stress or anxiety, you will be able to then practice self-examination to counteract those negative feelings.

Meditation Using Yoga

Yoga is most definitely my favorite form of meditation. Yoga places a huge focus on breathing and being aware of what you are feeling in your mind and in your body. Finding time in your schedule to do some quick yoga is super beneficial!

One of my favorite yoga practices is done at home. YouTube has a plethora of yoga videos, but Yoga with Adriene is my go-to. I particularly enjoy her 30-days of yoga challenges.

Now that you know a little bit more about meditation, check out 30-days of yoga challenge and get a FREE printable to track your mental and emotional progress.

Read more about Holiday Self-Care here.

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5 Easy Holiday Self-Care Practices

With the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season, it’s easy to allow yourself to become overwhelmed with everything on your to-do list and everyone who wants to spend time with you. it’s during this time that we tend to neglect ourselves the most. For that reason, I have a collection of holiday self-care practices perfect for the occasion.

Holiday Baths

A bath is one of my favorite ways to decompress around the holidays. You just cannot go wrong by relaxing in a hot tub with some bubbles and a candle. To set up the perfect bath for relaxing, head over here! Perhaps for this season, mix it up with a holiday or Christmas bath bomb or candle scent!

Create A Relaxed, Cozy Environment

Another great way to practice holiday self-care is to make sure your environment instills calm, cozy, and relaxed vibes. There are a ton of ways to do this, but ultimately, it is whatever works best for you. You might turn up the heat, dim the lights, light a candle, curl up with a blanket, or make some hot cocoa. You can read more about getting that cozy Christmas feeling here.

Have Somewhere to Escape to

If you’re over-worked, stressed, or introverted, one of the best ways to practice holiday self-care is to ensure that you have somewhere you can escape from the hustle and bustle of people and the never-ending to-do list. Take some time each day or even week away from everything stressing you out and be by yourself. Your escape can be anywhere and you can do anything when you are there. For me, I escape to my bedroom each night where I curl up in my blankets and watch some of my favorite YouTube channels. This is my holiday self-care escape. Where do you like to escape to during stress?

Brief Yoga or Meditation

Perhaps yoga is not for you, but meditation and yoga are great ways to take your mind off holiday stress and decompress. When you find yourself feeling tense, stressed, or overwhelmed, take a minute to be in the present. Take a walk or do some yoga and just be. Head over here to read more about using meditation during the holidays.

Say No

One of the biggest and most important on this short list of holiday self-care practices is practicing saying no. During this time of year everyone is doing so many things and it can be so incredibly overwhelming. Being able to turn down requests is probably the most effective way to de-stress and take care of yourself this holiday season. If you take nothing else from this post, please practice saying no and be aware of your limits. If you have taken on too much, do not take on any more, and ask for help! There is no shame in turning your projects or tasks into group endeavors.

This is a very brief list of holiday self-care practices, I’d like to know how you manage your holiday stress and take care of yourself. Let me know if the comments below!

How to Create the Most Relaxing Bathroom

Creating a relaxing bathroom design is essential if you enjoy unwinding in the tub after a long day at work. The last thing you want is a bathing space that is not fit for relaxation. This post will provide a few hints and tips for the most relaxing bathroom.

Improved Bathroom Lighting

Most people find the lights in their bathroom to be too bright when they sit down to relax in the tub. The same is often true in bedrooms as well. So, that just means you have to think outside of the box when it comes to planning your bathroom lighting. You have a light fitting inside or outside the bathroom that controls the electricity to that socket. Why not swap the switch for a dimmer? You can even purchase smart dimmers that you manage using your phone. That means you can adjust the level of illumination without getting out of the tub. Of course, you should always choose items that use LED bulbs rather than the traditional alternative because they last longer, and they don’t use as much energy.

Alternative ways to get dim bathroom lighting are the use of candles or fairy lights.

How to Create the Most Relaxing Bathroom

Bathroom Heating

Nothing is worse than sitting in a hot bath when the room is cold. The parts of your body under the water will feel fine, but you’ll still be tensed and cold. With that in mind, be sure to think long and hard about the heating system in your bathroom. Two solutions tend to work well across the board. However, one of them is far more expensive than the other.

Firstly, you might consider investing in a heated towel rail that you can fit on the wall in your bathing space according to the guys from http://www.warmup.ca. This option is cheap and won’t break the bank. If you have a larger budget, you might consider opting for underfloor heating. Just contact appropriate companies to obtain some quotes.

Another few ways to keep your bathroom warm for those of you who rent or live with roommates or your parents is to use a space heater or turn the heat up entirely. Space heaters are fairly cheap and you can turn them off and store them easily between baths. Another easy option is to simply cranky the heat in your home while you bathe. Last, the use of candles might be enough to warm the room for your bath while simultaneously providing a calming environment.

Call The Bathroom Experts

Once you finish making your plans, it’s time to get in touch with a reputable bathroom specialist. Of course, this is not necessary if you choose to heat via space heater, but if not, do not make the mistake of trying to perform the job without assistance or professional knowledge. Doing so might mean harm to your person, flooding, or electric issues.

Renovation professionals from http://mayfieldrenovations.com/ and other sites say that you should always ask to see a portfolio before spending your money. That is because some experts are better than others, and you don’t want to waste your money on someone who isn’t going to achieve your dream. If you struggle to find a suitable firm, simply ask family members and trusted sources for recommendations, read online reviews, or post a question on social media or online forums.

If you manage to follow the tips and tricks from this article, you should have a relaxing bathroom in no time. When all’s said and done, nothing is wrong with thinking outside of the box and trying something unique. So, make sure you put a lot of effort into the planning stage and leave no stone unturned!

What are some tricks you use to make your bathroom the optimal space for a relaxing bath?

This post was written in collaboration. This means that while I have added to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not it’s original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation.

Designing A Bedroom For A Better Night’s Sleep

Do you struggle to get your 8 hours of sleep each night? Maybe your bedroom is a problem. There are several factors that are important for making sure that you get good-quality sleep, and many of them come down to your bedroom’s design. Need some tips and inspiration? Read all about designing a bedroom for a better night’s sleep below.

Tidy Home, Tidy Mind

A cluttered, messy bedroom could sub-consciously disrupt your sleep. Keeping your bedroom space neat is one thing, but if you lack the right storage – you might have no choice but to leave your stuff everywhere. It’s quite simple to go from a messy bedroom floor to clean and spacious bedroom, but you’ll need to make sure you invest in some great storage too.

Build A Comfortable and Welcoming Bed

As the key to a good night’s sleep, the right bed is important. You’ll need a firm and sturdy mattress that supports your body weight, and you might find that you need a bigger mattress than you thought. If you share with someone else, factor that in too, as you may need not be getting the space you need for a restful sleep. Choose pillows that are soft to the touch but offer firm support to prevent shoulder and back issues. Memory foam bamboo pillows are particularly popular at the moment and offer long-lasting support for a good night’s sleep. Crisp, clean cotton bed sheets are also worth investing in, and you’ll notice a big difference in quality if you’re willing to pay out a little bit more.

Lighting is Everything

Lighting, or a lack of it, is essential for sleeping well at night. This isn’t always easy when you live in a busy city that never sleeps. Invest in some good blackout curtains or a blind that will be able to block out harsh lights at night and let you continue to sleep as the sun is rising in the morning. Try to keep your bedroom free from technology, as some things like your phone or your TV can affect your sleep quality. A room that is light and airy is great for relaxing during the day or if your bedroom doubles up as a home office, but making sure you can black out the lights at night will help you sleep better.

Temperature Control

Your body is extremely sensitive to temperature, and if you are too hot or too cold - you might find yourself struggling to sleep at night. Choose breathable materials for your bedding, and keep stocks of throws and blankets which can be added or taken away easily as needed. You could bring in a bedroom fan or air conditioning, but these can be expensive to run as well as cause noise which could also disrupt your sleep. Working out the temperature of your bedroom will take some time, so it could be a case of trial and error while you figure out what you need to do to get a good night’s sleep.

With the right bedroom design, you can help your body to get a better night’s sleep that will benefit your mind and body. Rather than just focusing on color or style, be sure to think of features that will aid your sleep and transform you

10 Ways to Reduce Your Anger

I have recently been feeling very angry. This anger feels overwhelming and just builds and builds until I end up exploding on someone. Anger isn’t a good feeling, nothing good comes out of it. Because I have recently struggled with and have been working through anger, I have decided to write about coping with anger. Thus, 10 Ways to Reduce Anger is born.

#1 Remove Yourself from the Trigger

The first thing I do when I begin feeling angry is to remove myself from the trigger. A trigger is a situation, action, or anything else that prompts the angry feeling. This might include loud chewing, a certain word or phrase, standing in line. Everyone has different triggers and ultimately everything can be a trigger.

A peer was frequently disrespecting me, and this was my trigger. After a couple of instances where I was disrespected, I began preparing myself to feel angry. This only made me angrier. This is called rumination. Rumination is when you either frequently think about or talk about something, usually in a negative context, which allows the emotions to build and become stronger.

Because I was coming into situations expecting to become angry, I was quicker to anger. I quickly realized that when I started to feel the anger, that I needed to remove myself from the situation as quickly as I could. By removing myself I could stop the anger from rising.

#2 Take a Deep Breath

Once I have removed myself from the triggering situation, I breathe. There are a couple of reasons why I stop to breathe. The first is that it forces me to take a break from ruminating. By forcing myself to focus on breathing I am no longer continually thinking about what had made me angry.

When I am taking a deep breath, I make sure that I am performing diaphragmatic (or deep) breathing. Simply breathing isn’t enough. Diaphragmatic breathing refers to a type of breathing where the stomach (not the chest) rises when breathing in, and settles when breathing out. Breathing this way stimulates a nerve that, in turn, stimulated the system in your body which relaxes you.

After a couple of minutes of deep breathing, I am calmer and often, no longer angry at all.

#3 Distract

There are a million ways to distract yourself when you are feeling angry and this is different for everyone. It is also different in every situation. Sometimes, deep breathing is enough to distract me, while other times I need to take part in an activity like cleaning or watching funny videos to keep my mind off the trigger.

The goal of distracting yourself is to put a stop to rumination and to calm down. Distracting yourself from the trigger will not make the situation go away, you will still need to confront whatever is making you angry. But it gives you enough time to cool down, re-evaluate, and return to the situation with a new perspective.

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#4 Talking to a Close Friend

My boyfriend is my rock. Whenever I find myself worked up or feeling down, talking to him always makes me feel better. I think this works so well because it’s a positive distraction. Not only am I distracted from the anger, but I have vented out everything I wish I could say to my trigger. I no longer feel angry.

Talking to a close friend is always helpful, so long as you aren’t co-ruminating (rumination by more than one person together). Whether you’re venting or keeping distracted, it is always helpful to know that you have someone on your side supporting you. Sometimes, at least for me, I just need to know that I have someone cheering me on. Someone who believes in me.

Try talking to someone if you’re angry. If you don’t have a close friend you’d trust, counseling is always an option (see #10).

#5 Comedy and Humor

Whenever I am feeling angry, I find it incredibly helpful to watch or listen to something funny or humorous. My go-to is YouTube. YouTube is full of hilarious content that is sure to boost your mood!

When you are busy laughing at something it is impossible to feel angry. So, if you’re getting worked up, try searching “funny animal videos” (these are my weakness). You could even try searching for videos of your favorite comedian.

Whatever makes you laugh, use it to de-escalate your anger!

#6 Apologizing

Apologizing is hard, but believe me, it’s therapeutic. Recently, I allowed myself to ruminate and my anger to build. Once I had arrived at a potentially triggering situation, I was already angry. So, naturally, I was triggered and snapped. Unfortunately, I allowed myself to get angry to the point of taking it out on my peer. This was another disrespect situation like I mentioned before, but snapping on her was completely uncalled for.

After taking a few deep breaths I privately apologized to another peer who was nearby when I snapped. Thankfully, she was understanding, because I was embarrassed that I had acted in such a way (completely out of my character).

I gave myself a lot more cool-down time, mustered up some courage, and apologized to the co-worker I had snapped on. While she was being disrespectful (my trigger) it was wrong of me to have yelled at her, especially in front of another peer.

She accepted my apology, though did not seem to listen to my explanation of what had triggered me. This triggered me again, which was even more difficult. I tried to keep distracted and to breathe deeply, but I was in a situation where she was attempting to apologize and I could not remove myself. I just kept breathing deeply and attempting to keep calm, I was apologizing for snapping. It was not the time to snap again.

As soon as I could remove myself, I did. Maybe I had not allowed myself enough cool-down time before apologizing. That being said, after apologizing and cooling down, I felt much much better. I had essentially confessed my sins and had no reason to feel bad. The triggers kept coming, but I felt better prepared to keep my cool.

#7 Do Something Enjoyable

It goes without saying that the things you enjoy make you happy, right? Well, then shouldn’t these things also help to de-escalate your anger? YES, a million times, YES!

If you are starting to feel angry and there is an activity that makes you happy, then do it. For me, oddly enough, it’s organizing. I love organizing, it relaxes me and puts me in a good mood. I feel as though I have accomplished something that makes my life easier. So, as I have already mentioned, when I am feeling angry, I organize. Sometimes I am organizing something that has already been organized. But if it reduces my anger, then I am not going to stop.

Do something that you love to reduce your anger!

#8 Clean or Organize

What I am about to say is obvious because I have already mentioned it several times.

I find that when I am angry, I do my best cleaning and organizing. Anger, for me, needs an outlet. Most often, when I feel angry there is something in need of cleaning that I have been neglecting. In fact, when a disrespectful peer triggers my anger, I can remove myself from the situation and clean the kitchen or bathrooms at my place of employment. In fact, the cleaning is part of my job. Talk about killing two birds with one stone, right?

When you become angry at home, try hiding in your room and cleaning (I know you’ve been putting that off). Do what you need to do, cleaning and organizing is not for everyone. If this doesn’t lessen your anger, then don’t do it to reduce your anger!

#9 Exercise

Exercise does wonders for anger. Exercise doesn’t have to mean an intense session at the local gym pumping iron.

When I get angry, I like to go for walks. During these walks, I might sometimes listen to music as a distraction, or I might focus on my surroundings (this is a way of practicing mindfulness, read about it here). Something about exercise, fresh air, and some nature just puts me in a good mood. But not only does exercise work for me, it just works. Like I mentioned already, anger needs an outlet. What better outlet is there than exercise. Not only are you able to kick the anger, but you can also feel good and get healthy!

#10 Get Counseling

If your anger has become overwhelming and very frequent (or even non-stop) seek professional help. I am talking from experience here (a story for another time and post). Counselors are professionals, they are trained to help you with your anger. They can help you to understand and identify your triggers.

Once you understand your anger, you can work towards decreasing it. Your counselor will work with you to have a plan in place for when you begin to feel angry. If you’re open to getting help from a professional, they can do wonders!

There are also groups for those who struggle with anger. It may sound scary, but these groups are really cool to be a part of! It’s so cool because you are surrounding yourself with others who are going through the same thing you are. Everyone is getting help together while helping each other.

These are just ten ways that are helpful to me when I am feeling angry. What helps you to calm down when you are feeling angry?

How to Set Up the Perfect Bath for Relaxation

You’ve come home from a stressful day at work or school. How do you de-stress? A Bath! Setting up a nice relaxing bath is a science. It requires not only a relaxing bath but a relaxing bath environment. I am here to tell you exactly how to set up the perfect relaxation bath. This article contains affiliate links

STEP 1: Clean the Bathroom

No one can relax in their bath if the bathroom hasn’t been cleaned in weeks. The key here is a quick clean.

First, rinse out the tub! If you do nothing else before a bath rinse down the tub. This is especially important if you don’t regularly clean your bathroom. I have a dog and I constantly find dog hair in my tub that I don’t want in my bath. A quick rinse will get rid of any stray hairs, dust, or whatever else.

You can stop there if you’d like, but I know I can’t relax in my bath without cleaning up just a little bit more. Before a bath, I pick up clutter off the floor.

Lastly, quickly wipe down the countertop. Put away any stray items and run a wet cloth over the countertop

Now you are ready to prepare the bath.

STEP 2: Set the Scene

Next, you want to get candles. Set them wherever you’d like. I put mine on the counter because of the size of my tub. But they are a nice addition to the tub’s edge!

Now, light the candles and dim the lights. However, you don’t want complete darkness for obvious safety reasons. I leave the light on in my bedroom and turn the bathroom lights off for the perfect dimmed effect.

STEP 3: The Bath

You have cleaned up, set the scene, and now it’s time to prepare the bath!

The Base of Relaxation

First, you fill the bath (duh). I like a really hot bath so I crank the heat up! But fill it with a temperature suitable for you. Next, add 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt. This helps to relax your muscles, perfect!

Scent

Add a scent next. Lavender is my favorite relaxation scent, but if you prefer something else, focus on that scent. I add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the water. This creates a light lavender aroma.

Add to this aroma with lavender candles.

Fun Additions

If you like a bubble bath, add some scentless or lavender-scented soap. I never have these products available to me. So instead, I add a lavender-scented bath bomb. Then again, sometimes I’ll add both.

If there are other products you’d like to add, now is the time to add them. Otherwise, your bath is all ready for you!

STEP 4: Get In!

This is everything you’ve been waiting for, so get in and ENJOY! The most effective relaxing bath lasts for at least 20 minutes, but don’t look at the clock. Have some quiet, electronic-free ME-time.