Five easy tips for mid-week relaxation

Try to set aside two evenings per week using these 5 simple tips to help you unwind.

In the midst of our busy lives, we should all be aiming to put aside 2-3 evenings per week where we consciously prepare to switch off. After a busy day at work, in five very simple steps we can help clear our head, tune into our body and re-focus our attention on other interests. This sets us up for a great nights sleep and helps make us more productive.

Relaxation calms the mind and re-focuses our attention

1. Avoid laptops, computers, television and too much (if any) phone usage for the whole evening.

2. If you don't have time for a yoga or pilates session, take 15-20 mins at home when you get back from work to do some simple stretches. This will help take your mind off the day and tune into your body and how it is feeling.

3. Eat a healthy, anti-inflammatory meal - for example steamed salmon and broccoli with avocado and tomato salad.

4. Follow dinner with a calming tea such as peppermint, passion flower or chamomile. Make sure you don't drink tea with caffeine such as green or breakfast tea.

5. Read something interesting, a book or an article, before bed. Ensure this is in paper form and not on a screen. Taking time to read something different before bed will hopefully dampen any lasting thoughts from your day and save any overthinking while you are trying to get to sleep. If this is something you struggle with, writing down your thoughts in a journal with some action points for the next day can also be a very powerful way of removing them from your mind.