Relaxing into the evening can be tricky when you’ve got kids, a house to clean, and a million to-dos running through your mind.
In this article, we present a list of simple things that you can do to unwind and relax in the evening. Say goodbye to rumination, and hello to relaxation with these five suggestions.
1. Soak the Day Away
Treat yourself to a DIY spa day! Put on some relaxing music, fill up the bathtub with your favorite bath bombs, and light some scented candles to get into the groove. Then, gather up your favorite magazines or a good book, hop in, and soak the day away. You don’t need to spend an exurbanite amount on mani-pedis and massages to get the TLC you deserve. Make your evening spa bath part of your self-care routine to reap the benefits over time.
2. Write The Day Away
Journaling is a great way to reflect on your day and let out any pent-up frustrations you are carrying. We recommend self-care journals with prompts and suggestions to give you new ideas on treating yourself with more self-love. Journaling through prompts is a great way to learn more about yourself as you consider ideas you may not have thought of before. We recommend the famous self-discovery writing book and online courses, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. This book is so popular it’s become a cult classic and has remained so since the 80s!
3. Unique Grounding Rituals
Finding a way to feel grounded will
give you the headspace you
need to come to terms with the day and ease into relaxation for the night.
Everyone achieves this inner calm in different ways. You may consider
meditating, listening to a podcast, or washing the dishes mindfully. Even at-home family activities like working on puzzles together can be a grounding way to
relax into the evening.
4. Physical Support Prompts
If you are new to meditation, you
might consider purchasing a meditation pillow as a way to center your body.
Meditation cushions are great tools, but some of us may feel restricted given
physical impairments. For those of us who need some extra support, consider
this knee pillow for
added relief. For tips on winding down with meditation and other calming
activities as a busy mom, consider these strategies.
5. Stability Through Touch
Using senses to create safety is an essential part of self-care. As children, when we first learned to become more independent from our mother’s care, we used transitional objects like stuffed animals and blankets to maintain a sense of security. As adults, we need grownup comfort objects to feel loved and cared for. You might consider using stones and crystals that have sentimental value to you, playing with therapy putty, or carrying a good luck charm like a rabbit’s foot on a keychain. These small objects can provide a sense of safety as we take care of ourselves.
Before bed, spend a few moments with your objects and make a mental note of any thoughts, feelings, and sensations you observe while interacting with them. Ideally, you will feel a sense of calm and safety, two feelings we need to focus on when we are winding down for the evening. If you’re interested in getting your young kids involved in transitional objects, consider this DIY playdough activity. Like therapy putty, playdough offers texture, color, and movement to facilitate emotional expression.
Make the evening time your time to unwind. With a little
practice, setting aside some time for yourself is a lot easier than you think.
