Take advantage of your holidays to establish a little relaxation ritual. And why not continue this ritual once the holidays are over? It can only be beneficial for you.
At Wooh, wellbeing is important. That’s why we’ve looked into ways to relax easily, without spending hours doing so. We know that we won’t be able to keep this up in the long term, as our lives are too busy and hectic. And yet, our bodies and minds really need to slow down from time to time.
1. Abdominal breathing
Abdominal breathing affects your emotional state, anxiety and stress levels. The better we breathe, the less stressed we feel. It’s our favourite exercise!
Lying on the beach, in bed, sitting at your desk, standing barefoot in the garden—this exercise can be done anywhere. Just two minutes is enough to feel the benefits.
The exercise: place your hands on your chest and stomach, and breathe in deeply through your nose, allowing your chest to expand. It is no longer your lungs that are expanding, but your abdomen. Hold your breath for a few seconds once your stomach is full, then breathe out through your mouth, gradually pulling your stomach in until it is completely empty.
It is also an exercise that can be practised as a family or as a couple and only takes two minutes (or longer if you wish).
2. Micro-sieste : un exercice de relaxation flash
Try a 20-minute power nap. In just a few minutes, and with a little practice, you will be able to replicate the natural mechanisms of falling asleep, causing real muscle and mental relaxation. You will quickly slip into a restorative “half-sleep”.
3. Essential oil
When you wake up, before going to bed, or before an important meeting, consider inhaling an oil with relaxing properties. Here are a few examples:
Peppermint: for mental fatigue… However, there are two possible scenarios for obtaining a 90° angle:
- Sweet orange: for anxiety, agitation and palpitations.
- Marjoram: for relaxation
- Petitgrain bigarade: calming and relaxing effect
4. A positive image
Breathing while visualising an image is an effective method. The key is to immerse yourself in positive thoughts, with your eyes closed, for a few minutes.
The exercise: in the morning, or even in the evening, in the garden, on the beach, on the balcony, standing up, arms hanging down, barefoot and with your eyes closed, breathe in for several seconds while visualising a scene or a landscape. Then breathe out through your mouth, spreading this feeling of well-being throughout your body and releasing any negative tension.
Perform three times in succession, taking your time for optimal well-being.
5. While showering or bathing
In the shower (for those in a hurry) or in the bath (if you’re taking some real time for yourself), try a mindfulness exercise. Sounds daunting, you might say? Not at all! All you need to do is focus on the present moment, on what is happening right now, and awaken your five senses.
- And, with your eyes closed, think of a positive and relaxing image.
- Feel the warm water on your skin.
- Breathe in the scent of soap (choose one that transports you).
- Listen to the water flowing.
- Moisten the drops on your lips.
6. Nature and sport
This advice is nothing new, but it is worth remembering that getting out into nature and doing sport has enormous power to de-stress, escape and, as a result, relax.
Immerse yourself in a sea of greenery, listen carefully and count how many birds you can hear singing.
Got too much energy to burn? Need to let off steam? Work it off with a run, a bike ride or a mountain bike hike, always surrounded by nature. There’s nothing like getting back to nature to focus on yourself and recharge your batteries.
It’s up to you! Create your own relaxation programme while you’re on holiday.
Do not be too hard on yourself; opt for small things that will become reflexes to maintain once you return to working life.
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