5 Relaxation Tips to Help You Unwind

Yoga. This is something I have just recently gotten into, but within the last few months of beginning it I have reaped wonderful benefits. I am limber, my body is more loose and free of tension and tightness. One of my favorite poses I do daily is Bharadvaja's Twist to help alleviate stress, pain from my lower back, shoulders and spine - major pain spots for me sometimes. With regular yoga I have been able to reduce the amount of pain I experience on a regular basis. The twist can be seen at YogaJournal.com along with a comprehensive listing of different yoga poses.

Take a bath. Taking a bath is like a hobby for me, almost - it is something I love to do. I take baths as almost a transitional ritual. When I am done with the necessities of the day - dinner, packing lunch, that last annoying load of laundry...I let myself transition into the end of my day. I turn off the lights, light some candles, pour in aroma therapy bath treats, and submerge myself in the goodness that is bathing. In the luxuriousness of it, I like to accessorize my bath experience with natural and organic products - some of the absolute best bath products I have come to known are from LUSH. I love their bath bombs and bubble bars. Don't be alarmed by how odd they might seem at first, be in awe of the wonderful colors and scents that abound. One of my favorites is Karma.

Tea and a book. For me, TV watching is total fun - but it doesn't necessarily always relax me. Sometimes we're watching scary movies, or "I Survived" on the BIO channel, which keeps my heart racing. So when I need to make the total shift to "chill" I find a good book and make a tasty cup of tea. Hot chai, Calming Yogi, Green tea, doesn't matter really. Something without caffeine though...otherwise you might be reading for awhile.

Have a glass of wine. Nothing like making the shift from workday to end of day by pouring a glass of red or white and letting it run through your veins. Don't over indulge obviously, because then you end up with a headache and a bad night's sleep. Of course if you don't like wine don't drink it. Pour a little helping of whatever beverage you do fancy, be it bourbon or chocolate milk. If it makes you happy, have a taste.

Comfy time. Sometimes I will be at home, working on the computer for hours even after I put my son to bed, and realized I haven't made the shift to the end of the day! I'm still in my street clothes, still wearing my make up, still thinking about work and not worried about sleeping or letting my body recuperate. If I'm out of time, out of energy, and don't have inspiration to do anything else, the easiest way for anyone to relax is to just get comfortable. Put on your most comfortable clothes, make a little snack, and sit down. Take a deep breath. The day is over. While some of these techniques might not interest everyone, there is always a way for anyone to find some relaxation. Consider what calms you the most, what makes you feel most at ease, and go from there.