Reap the benefits of a little R&R this National Relaxation Day  | Tenant news

Let’s be honest, life is moving at a relentless pace right now with technological advances, social, political and economic factors driving this accelerated pace. Therefore, it’s likely that your work/life balance and mental and physical wellbeing are being pushed to the limit.

So, we’re giving you a heads-up that tomorrow — Saturday 15 August — is officially National Relaxation Day, so you need to ditch the devices, drop the dusters and take a well-deserved day off.

Why rest matters

Rest is important because when we get stressed, our bodies go into overdrive with racing hearts and tense muscles, which can eventually leave us feeling cross, tired, and poorly.

Taking the time to properly unwind does amazing things for your health by lowering your blood pressure, stabilising your breathing, and letting your muscles soften.

Keeping your stress levels down makes you feel more stable, protects your physical health, and even helps you get a better night's sleep.

Read more about the importance of managing stress and burnout on the NHS Every Mind Matters website.

Switch things off

While we all know that getting some rest is good for us, what could each of us do to ensure it happens?

1.     Disconnect digitally

The constant influx of emails, news, and notifications keeps your nervous system on high alert. Try putting your phone in another room, turning off desktop notifications, or switching your devices to 'Do Not Disturb' for a set time. 

2.     Shift from ‘doing’ to ‘being’

Instead of focusing on achieving, producing, or ticking items off a list, shift your awareness to the present moment. Reset by reading a book, listening to music, or take a warm bath.

3.     Clear up your living space

It’s hard to relax when you’re faced with laundry, a messy kitchen, or your work laptop. Either remove place visual triggers out of sight or set one space as a clear, ‘no-stress zone’ where chores, devices and work are off-limits.

4.     Practice intentional breathing

When stress rises, breathing becomes shallow and keeps the body on alert. Slow it down with a few minutes of deliberate breathing: inhale through your nose for four, hold briefly, then exhale through your mouth for six. The longer exhale helps your body relax

Spend time outdoors

Spending time outdoors can also help ease stress and clear your mind. A gentle walk around your scheme or neighbourhood, sitting quietly and taking in your surroundings, or simply feeling the summer breeze — these can all help you feel more relaxed and grounded.

If you, or someone you know, is always on the go, unable to rest and reset, please reach out for support and advice. These organisations provide free and confidential help:

• NHS Every Mind Matters (Free mental wellbeing advice)
  www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters
  
  
• Mind (Mental health charity support line)
  www.mind.org.uk
  0300 123 3393
  
  
• BBC Headroom (Relaxing toolkits and everyday mindfulness tips)
  www.bbc.co.uk/headroom
  
  
• Samaritans (Free 24/7 confidential chat line)
  www.samaritans.org
  116 123.

You can also visit the healthy living page in our cost-of-living hub at www.habinteg.org.uk/health-and-safety for information on mental health charities, keeping fit and staying connected with others.

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