15 Tips on How to Relax Your Mind and Body

In today’s world, learning how to relax your mind and body takes some serious effort. We all know we need some self-care time, but smartphones, kids, and other distractions can make it seem nearly impossible to make it happen.

If you frequently find yourself lying in bed with racing thoughts or tensing up your muscles at the dinner table, sit back and breathe a sigh of relief. We’re here to help! Check out our 15 tips below for easy ideas on how to relax your muscles and mind. 

1. Relax Your Mind with Meditation

Meditation is all the rage these days, and for good reason. The Western world is finally catching on to something the East has known for centuries: Meditation can help you be more present, reduce anxiety, and increase happiness.

2. Start a Journal

Starting a journal is a simple practice that can sometimes be hard to stick with, but the benefits are countless. Journaling allows you to reflect and learn from your past, process emotions, develop more gratitude, and reduce stress.

3. Talk to a Friend

Trusted friends are a great resource for talking through your problems. They don’t even need to offer solutions—just listening to you is enough to greatly reduce any stress you may be feeling. So plan a coffee date or book lunch with a friend today.

4. Exercise

Exercise offers a wealth of benefits for your body and mind. Yes, you’ll build strength and burn calories, but you’ll also produce feel-good endorphins that can make your anxieties melt away. For best results, exercise at least 3 days a week for 30-60 minutes.

5. Restructure Your Thoughts

Sometimes our thoughts are our greatest enemy. Build awareness of what you’re thinking and try to remove yourself from those thoughts. Consider which of your thoughts are facts vs. opinions. Just restructuring the way you look at a situation may take away stress.

6. Try Breathing Exercises

Many of us spend the majority of our day taking short and shallow breaths, but just a few minutes of deep breathing can do wonders to calm our thoughts and relax our muscles. Set a timer to remind yourself to breathe deeply a few times a day.

7. Do Yoga

If you’re wondering how to relax your muscles and mind at the same time, try yoga. You’ll love the mental and physical boost you get from this meditative form of exercise. (Bonus points for anyone daring enough to try hot yoga!)

9. Relax Your Muscles with a Bath

A warm bath is a perfect way to soothe sore muscles and take away your cares from the day. Choose to bathe at a time when there are no distractions, and create an ultra-relaxing environment by adding candles and quiet music.

10. Listen to Peaceful Music

Music has a powerful effect on our brains, so if you’re feeling tense, try turning on some calming music to reset your mind and body. Classical music, instrumental music, or quiet coffee shop tunes can totally change your mood and restore your energy.

11. Get a Massage

There’s nothing quite like a massage to soothe sore muscles and help relax your mind. If you don’t want to spend the money to go to a professional, ask a friend or loved one to swap massages at the end of a stressful day or hard workout.

12. Go for a Walk

Sometimes a brisk walk is all you need to see your life a bit more clearly. When you’re stressed out, take a step back, putting on your walking shoes, and start doing laps around the block. Or if you’re really looking for an escape, head to a nearby trail and get in touch with nature. You’ll likely feel much better when you’re done.

13. Get a Good Night of Sleep

Quality rest is vital for our mental and physical health. Prioritize sleep by setting a schedule for when you arise and go to bed, developing a calming bedtime routine, and sleeping in a darkened room.

14. Stretch

Every athlete knows the importance of stretching before and after a big workout. Take cues from the professionals and spend a few minutes stretching in the morning or before and after you hit the gym. You’ll soothe sore muscles and have a chance to clear your mind.

15. Stay Hydrated

Many people simply aren’t drinking as much water as they should. So if you want to avoid headaches, overeating, and other health problems, aim to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water every day.

Try Automated Blinds Today

As we mentioned above, getting a good night of sleep is crucial to your health. If you’re struggling to feel well-rested, you may want to invest in automated blinds. An automated blind kit allows you to set a schedule for when you want them to open or close, which allows you to get better sleep and saves you money on energy bills. Learn more about automated blinds today.