LONDON can be a stressful place. Whether it’s those annoying people who push to get onto the tube before you, or the sky high prices of the city, there are plenty of reasons you could be feeling far from relaxed by the time you reach your front door at the end of the day.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are many things you can do to switch off from the stresses of every day life and find your Zen, while enjoying yourself too. Here are our top tips…
We know it’s hard. There’s pressure at work and you’ve got so much to get done today – but taking a lunch break could help to keep your productivity going.
Eat a wholesome lunch, go for a walk and get your mind back in order before returning to your desk. That way, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle the afternoon without panic setting in.
Why not try one of our lunchtime yoga classes? Exercising at lunchtime can improve your memory, learning capacity, mental stamina, creativity and help to reduce stress.
As well as a host of fab yoga classes, we’ve just launched a new class POUND, which transforms drumming into a workout. Now that’s a stress buster if ever we saw one! Book here
It’s not just us who love meditating – doctors now use it as a proven method to help reduce stress and anxiety, while also improving cardiovascular health.
When we’re stressed, our bodies go into ‘fight or flight’ mode. Adrenaline is released and causes increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as faster breathing. However meditation does the opposite, which is why it works to relax us so well.
Doing this every day will leave you calmer in no time. Try our Mindful Meditation and Gong Healing class, every Wednesday at 7.30-8.30pm with Leo Cosendai. Book here.
Physical activity is great for mental health, full stop. Evidence has proven it can help people with depression, anxiety and of course, stress. This is because it causes a chemical change in the brain. Feel good hormones like endorphins and serotonin are released, boosting your mood and helping you to forget about the things that have been worrying you. Try one of our cardio classes like Ass-Arms-Abs Book Here
It can be hard to switch off from your hectic work schedule and busy social life, but sometimes it’s good to take a break. We totally understand your FOMO, but learn to say ‘no’ when you need some time to yourself and you might even be better company the next time you go out. Spend the night kicking back with some TV, head to yoga or cook yourself a healthy treat – whatever it is that will help take your mind off the worries of every day life.
We love coffee as much as the next person – but it’s known to elevate stress levels. Caffeine is known to trigger cortisol release, which in high doses can slow down your metabolism, break down muscle, increase blood pressure and inhibit brain function.
It’s not all bad news, though. Cortisol also helps you to function, by waking you up each morning and indicating when you need to slow down. So rather than cutting all caffeine out (unless you want to, of course), try cutting down to reduce stress. Not drinking coffee after 2pm is a great way to do this and will mean you still get enough sleep, without the effects lingering well into the night.
Focus on your breathing for stress relief and practise mindfulness. When you take the time out to breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down. This in turn relaxes your body and the effects stress has on your body – such as increased heart rate – decrease. Try our Slow flow and Yoga Nidra for help in breathing deeper – Book Here
No, we’re not being rude! As well as burning calories, going for a walk can reduce stress for a multitude of reasons.
Firstly, getting outside is a well-known stress buster. Countless studies have proven that going outdoors can help put your brain into a meditative state, as well as improve memory and attention. Next time you’re panicking at work, take some time out to go for a wander.
It’s a bit of a catch 22. Stress can stop you sleeping, and not sleeping can make you stressed. But if you set yourself up for a good night’s kip, you’ll reap the benefits.
Get ready for bed 1-2 hours before bedtime, switch off your phone, listen to some relaxing jams and get stuck into a good book. Incense and candles are a nice touch, too. By the time you turn the lights out, you should be feeling chilled to the max.