Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m going to steer away from the Valentines Day ootd’s, gift ideas etc posts and bring to you these quick ways to relax. Because let’s remember, valentines day isn’t just about loving others or others loving you, but also about loving yourself. Taking care of you and making yourself happy.

It’s so easy to say; relax, but not so easy to actually get into that mood. Especially if you’re all about that busy life, doing multiple things at once, wear a gazillion hats and fear taking a break because you could be really checking something off your to do list. Well, honestly, take that damn break! We get so riled up in our crazy busy lives that we often forget to take time for ourselves. So here’s my fool proof 5 quick ways to relax, and please.. I want you to try at least one and tell me how wonderful it felt.

LUSH BATH BOMBS

Omagosh. They’re so pretty, smell amazing and get you into the tub. I don’t know about you, but I can’t find the time to just lay in the tub thinking of sweet nothings. It’s shower, out and go.

But taking that time to go to the store, pick out your selection of bath bombs, smell them, feel them.. really look forward to each one, really does enhance that relaxing experience you’ll want to go for. That initial drop in the tub and watching it turn your tub water into all sorts of pretty colours… oh and the aroma… ugh. Don’t get me started on the aroma. Take that scent in. Deep breaths my friend. I have a handful sitting in a basket in my bathroom. And when the time is right, and I totally need that getaway, I pick one of my LUSH bath bombs and I’m checking out of life, travelling to my bath bomb oasis.

MASKS

I’ve built up a collection of masks for all kinds of days. Just for fun, treatment and troubled skin masks. What I love about masks is that I don’t need to dedicate a whole lot of time to doing one. You can even put one on and continue doing whatever it is you need to do. Well I wouldn’t go outside with it on. Let’s not scare the neighbours, okay? If you want deep relaxation, you can apply your mask, cut a few cucumber slices and apply it to your closed eye lids and maybe eat a few and just lay there. Do absolutely nothing for 15-30 minutes depending on how long you need to keep your mask on.

MEDITATION/PRAYER

Make time to collect yourself. Whether it’s meditating or prayer, make that time every day to stop and collect your thoughts, release negativity and bring in all the goodness that the world has to offer. I know, it may sound a little crazy to some of you, but it doesn’t hurt to try right?

REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT

Did you know repetitive motions such as running a brush through your hair (try for a 100 strokes), washing dishes or even folding clothes can help you relax? Even with a dishwasher at home, I actually enjoy sometimes washing dishes. I may not be drawn to doing it at first, but once I get started, I just can’t stop. If you go for the 100 strokes of brushing your hair, it’ll help with stimulating healthy hair growth and shinier hair. Especially if you use a bristle brush.

ART

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but art can really help you wind down. I like to have at least one project ongoing that involves me painting or getting crafty. At the moment I have two that I’m almost done. I guess that’s why those adult colouring books are pretty popular now.

It’s all about setting the ambiance. You can do all of these quick ways to relax methods but creating that environment of soft background music, or absolute silence, turning yourself off and submerging yourself into relaxation is key here.