Slow down, take a deeeeep breath, exhale, and… relax. This August 15th marks National Relaxation Day, a special annual event which encourages people across the country to wind down and take a moment to chill out.
Never heard of this holiday before? Well, you might be tickled to know it was created by none other than a nine-year-old boy in Michigan, back in 1985! In August of said year, Sean Moeller wrote to a local newspaper and gave his two cents on the pressing need for more relaxation in this world.
In his own words, “People don’t think enough about relaxing. They think too much about working, and that’s not good because if you work too hard, then you could get a fever or get run-down and maybe even get sick.”
Preach, young friend! So, we have wise-beyond-his-years Sean to thank for one of the most tranquil, peaceful days of the calendar year. But how exactly should we go about celebrating National Relaxation Day?
Everybody relaxes in different ways. Some of our personal favorite techniques include:
- Meditation and Breathing Exercises
- Practicing Yoga
- Getting a massage
- Taking a long, hot bath or shower
- Listening to calming music or a podcast
- Spending time in nature
- Mindfulness activities, such as journaling or coloring
Regardless of your preferred technique, there is one common factor that has a huge impact on the method you choose; that is, the setting you practice it in. For most of us, our bedroom is our sanctuary and the place we go to be alone, reset and refresh. So, it’s no surprise that many of our relaxation efforts take place in the bedroom.
Here at Sunday Citizen, we’re all about creating a bedroom environment that’s cozy, comfortable, and sparks joy. Today, we’re here to share some top tips on how to create the perfect, calming bedroom setting to maximize your relaxation:
- Tidy Up
- Keep Bedding Fresh
- Bring Nature Into the Bedroom
- Organize your Bedside Table
- Wrap Yourself in Something Soft
- Let in the Natural Light
- Find a Relaxing Scent
- Make Your Bed
- Consider a Dimmer Switch
- Keep it Minimal
- Give your Walls a Makeover
- Let in some Fresh Air
- Ditch Your Devices
- Keep your Workspace Separate
- Add a Comfy Chair
- Drop it Low
- Find that Perfect Temperature
- Invest in a Weighted Blanket
- Tidy Up
Keeping your bedroom neat and tidy provides an unmatched sense of inner peace. Items discarded on the floor or clothes strewn over furniture = a messy mind. Be gone!
Sunday tip: try to do a “mini tidy” each night before bed, for just 5-10 minutes. This can help to maintain a constant level of tidiness and avoid disorganization overwhelm, where it all feels like too much to tackle.
- Keep Bedding Fresh
It is highly recommended to wash your bed sheets on a regular basis, not only to avoid odors and a buildup of bacteria, but due to the soothing, inviting nature of fresh and clean sheets.
Sunday tip: For money-saving and sustainability bonus points, look for long-lasting, durable bedding that holds up well to frequent washing.
- Bring Nature into the Bedroom
Plants and flowers are not only great décor pieces, but also promote feelings of serenity and bring you closer to nature. Breathe life into your bedroom with easy-to-care-for plants.
Sunday tip: Some plants are more suited to the bedroom than others, depending on their air purifying properties. Make sure to pick accordingly!
- Organize your Bedside Table
To inspire feelings of zen and maintain a clear mind, try to keep your bedside table minimal and organized, with only strictly necessary items on it. A glass of water, bedside lamp, jewelry dish, and any medications you take nightly should be sufficient! (Okay, fine… we’ll let you add a good book, too!)
- Wrap Yourself in Something Soft
Nothing feels more relaxing and comforting than wrapping yourself up in your favorite, cozy blanket. Choose one that’s uber soft and fluffy, and the perfect weight for you.
Sunday tip: Oversized throws are the best for chilling and cuddling! (No cold feet, thank you).
- Let in the Natural Light
Natural light is preferable to artificial light, whenever possible, as it is known to promote a calm atmosphere, boost our mood and help us feel comfortable. Open up those blinds and try to let as much natural light into your bedroom as possible during the day!
- Find a Relaxing Scent
Never underestimate the power of scents to affect your mood, bring back fond memories, and soothe you. Aromatherapy is an age-old art which can be harnessed to promote deeper relaxation in the bedroom.
Sunday tip: Check out Antica Farmacista’s delicious candles, room sprays and reed diffusers for elegant, luxurious scents that will make you say “ahh…”.
- Make Your Bed
The ultimate peace of mind is closing your bedroom door every morning, knowing that you’ll come back to a perfectly made bed later that evening – try and change our minds. Give this simple trick a go, and start off each day on the right foot!
- Consider a Dimmer Switch
Did you know that a dimmer switch can cost as little as $70 to install!? For a relatively modest price, you can say goodbye to harsh, artificial lighting from extra-bright bulbs in your bedroom, and create a tranquil vibe that’s completely adjustable to your preference.
- Keep it Minimal
One surefire way to make your bedroom feel like a tranquil oasis is to get rid of clutter. Studies have shown that minimalism leads to decreased stress and anxiety, as well as better mental health and productivity.
Sunday tip: Once you’ve decided which items you wish to keep, consider donating your “Give Away” pile to a local charitable organization; that way, everybody wins!
- Give your Walls a Makeover
The power of a clean and serene paint palette on your overall relaxation levels should not be underestimated! For bedroom walls, go for a light and airy hue, or a calming shade of blue or green, to open up your space and soothe the mind.
- Let in some Fresh Air
One of our easiest (yet most effective) techniques is the simple act of opening your bedroom window and allowing any stale air to flow out, letting fresh air come in.
Fresh air is proven to clean your lungs, strengthen your immune system, renew energy, and simply make you happier. Even if you only do this for a short amount of time (particularly in cold weather months!), this method of relaxation is definitely worth a try.
- Ditch your Devices
While many of us find our phones, social media and the Internet extremely entertaining, there’s no denying these things can bring stress and make our minds race. A great way to relax and feel calmer in your bedroom is to keep devices firmly OUT of it.
Sunday tip: try leaving your phone to charge in a separate room overnight for a week, and observe the difference for yourself!
- Keep your Workspace Separate
Although some companies are encouraging employees to return to the office, the WFH (work from home) lifestyle is far from over. This can often mean working from, or in close proximity to, your bedroom, especially if you live in a small apartment.
Working with your individual space constraints, try your very best to avoid working inside your bedroom. Separate your workspace as best you can, whether that be with curtains, or placing your desk as far away from your bed as possible.
- Add a Comfy Chair
What could be better than one comfy relaxation device (aka your bed)? Our answer – two! Adding a comfy chair to your bedroom provides an alternative relaxation space, that can be adorned with fluffy, memory foam pillows and cozy blankets.
Sunday tip: if you struggle with anxiety at bedtime and find it difficult to sleep, don’t lie in bed and let the worry build. Take advantage of your comfy chair to switch positions, thus bringing about a change in your mood.
- Drop it Low
When we are closer to the ground, we tend to feel more tranquil and connected to the Earth; this is the philosophy behind buying a low bed to help boost your relaxation. Not only can this help you to feel calmer and less anxious, but it also looks super cute and modern.
- Find that Perfect Temperature
Whether it’s finding that perfect A/C sweet spot that’s not too hot and not too cold, or throwing on a comfy outfit that keep you perfectly cozy, getting to the perfect body temperature provides a great setting for any and all relaxation activities.
- Invest in a Weighted Blanket
Long hailed as the relaxation tool of dreams, a weighted blanket works by providing Deep Pressure Touch therapy. This feeling of constant, gentle pressure exerted on the body calms the mind, relieves anxiety and aids full-body relaxation.
Sunday tip: For summer, try Sunday Citizen’s Bamboo Crystal Weighted Blanket – it’s breathable, silky-soft outer layer will make sure you stay cool, calm and collected (plus it’s filled with healing crystals!).
And there you have it! Happy relaxing, citizens! We’ll be right there chillin’ with you on August 15th.