We’ve all been there, the moment when you finally get home after a long day’s work. Your shoulders are tense from the evening commute, your mind on overdrive, the smells and frustration of public transport still with you. In an effort to relax, your instinctive go-to is to watch Netflix with, quite possibly, a large glass of biodynamic wine. However, the excessive stimulation may cause more harm than good.
Winding down and “powering off” as we call it, extends not only to electronics but to our mental and physical state of mind. It is important in these moments to leave the workplace behind and enter the realm of “you”.
There are real benefits to truly disconnecting from the digital world and giving ourselves a little pampering. A study in the Journal of Association for Psychological Science has shown that individuals who gave themselves “me” time, by totally disengaging from work duties for the day, proved to be more competent at work and have better psychological wellbeing.
We at Amodrn HQ are solid advocates to finding a work/life balance and never turn down a little TLC. So to help you unwind at the end of the day, we’ve established seven rituals that will help you relax and set yourself up for a blissful, rejuvenating night of sleep.
Strip down & soap up
There is nothing better than jumping into a hot shower, or better yet, a luxurious bubble bath to relax tense muscles and moisturise the skin. We’re in love with The Soak Society’s Sleep Wellness Soak, which combines lavender and chamomile to soothe the senses. If you’re a shower person, lather up with a heavenly scented body wash (like this one from Eco Store in Coconut & Vanilla). Follow up with a luxurious moisturiser. Stem Cell by mesoestetic has the somewhat magical (yet scientifically proven) effect of rejuvenating and nourishing your skin in accordance with what your body needs, making it the ideal overnight treatment to protect and reactivate the cells.
Get comfy
Unless you’re comfortable with going au naturel, it’s essential your night attire be no less than worthy of an Egyptian queen. The ultimate comfort zone sets you up for a night of blissful zzz’s. A silk pillowcase, like the one from The Goodnight Co, is the quintessential addition to your bedroom wardrobe. And yes, it will help prevent that dreaded bed head hair (and face tattoo) in the morning. Beautiful pyjamas are also a must-have. We’re fans of super chic (and comfortable) label, Chalmers Pyjamas. Keep an eye out for their new collection, which is set to launch very soon.
Night cream
If there’s one beauty secret my mother taught me, it’s: moisturise, moisturise and moisturise. It can’t be said enough that night time is the best time to layer up on all things hydrating for your face. A rejuvenating cream like Comfort Zone Renight Cream promises to work wonders on repairing the days damages. And if you really want to take advantage of the restorative powers of night, then apply a boosting serum like Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair.
Candles & incense
Candles, incense and oil diffusers are a great way to create a relaxing environment. Here at Amodrn HQ, we love Glasshouse Fragrances (at the moment, our favourite is the Cyprus Candle with sea salt and saffron) to create a subtle, warm scent (and get our creative juices flowing!). But if a complete wind down is what you’re looking for, a potent oil diffuser, like this one from Bodha, has a relaxing effect on the nervous system.
Tea
Tea is your best friend for all things inner wellness. The Amodrn team sips on a myriad of teas all day long, and have been known to even sneak in a few before bedtime. Tea leaves have a subtle yet noticeable affect on our nervous system, and when combined can help us with varying levels of our mood and energy levels. Certain combinations of herbs and roots, like Bodhi Organic’s Tranquili-Tea are perfect for sleep. With organic liquorice, aniseed, fennel, valerian and passionflower, it’s the ideal brew to relax and unwind from the inside.
Colour in or read
So you’ve bathed the day away, moisturised the body and face and filled the room with heavenly scents. What’s next, you ask? It’s time to grab your cup of tea and give yourself a mental massage. Adult colouring books have been all the rage lately for their ability to unwind the mind and spark the creative soul within. We particularly like Where The Wildflowers Grow by Adriana Picker. And if words are more your things, some of Team Amodrn’s current reads include drama thriller I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes, and Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. So settle in and let your mind escape.
Shut eye
Melatonin is the hormone secreted by the pineal gland in your brain, and its what lets your body clock know it’s time to sleep. The Sleep Foundation mentioned the importance of darkness when it comes to getting some quality shut eye, since it enables the secretion of aforementioned hormone. Using an eye mask can sometimes aid in getting consistent sleeping patterns by facilitating your mind into believing it is in complete darkness. The Silk Eye Mask by The Goodnight Co. is soft and sits gently on the face. With no strappy elastic, you’ll barely even notice it’s there. That, along with a bit of yoga and breathing techniques, should have you drifting of into dream land without having to count any sheep.
