Be honest, you’ve probably been running yourself nonstop all year — and what year. It seems like this year has been an entire decade long. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It seems like a lot of us have decided that it’s easier to just ride the wave of going to work, keeping house, preparing meals, and caring for our families than it is to just sit down and relax. Because when we’re doing all of those things, at least we’re doing something, right?
If any of the above situations sound relatable then you, my friend, need a break. And not just a quick few minutes sitting on the couch with a glass of wine. A real break. If you’re in need of some major R&R but you can’t quite figure out how to approach it, here’s a guide to give you an idea of how to make the most of your relaxation.
1. Take a staycation.
You don’t have to go somewhere fancy to enjoy yourself, especially right now when traveling isn’t such a great idea, to begin with. Instead, take the money you’d spend on gas or a night in an Airbnb and buy yourself from luxury pajamas, which are a gift to yourself that keeps on giving because you can enjoy them even when your staycation is over. We recommend buying two sets so that you always have a luxurious, soft pajama set made of cashmere or satin to enjoy, even if you’ve just had a long day of running around. While you’re at it, get a soft robe or new bed linens as well, so that you can wrap yourself in comfort and luxury as well.
2. Take a day trip.
Yes, we just said not to travel. But sometimes you just need to get away, and we get that. Call your closest girlfriend or your significant other and make a day of it. Roll the windows down and listen to the music you listened to in high school, or spend the day taking turns listening to each other vent and telling stories you’ve both told a hundred times. Visit a nearby destination where you can safely socially distance while still relaxing — lakesides and state parks around the United States are a great way to get out and be around people without actually being too close. Sometimes just getting away from the same faces and walls you see day in and day out for a few hours can make all the difference.
3. Add some CBD into your day.
Do you want to relax but you just can’t seem to calm down enough to calm down? You’re not alone. If you’re looking for a natural way to relax but don’t want to can’t get high, CBD is a wonderful alternative. Companies like Planet Earth CBD offer THC-free CBD products that are proven to help you relax and are non-intoxicating and non-habit-forming. This means that you can relax without worrying about passing a drug test or realizing that you forgot to turn on the oven when you started cooking your frozen pizza two hours ago (which we most definitely have never done).
4. Spend the day doing something you love.
We often forget that there are things that make us who we are outside of our jobs or our family. If you have a hobby that you particularly enjoy, take a day and just do it. Don’t worry about your inbox or the dishes. Those can wait. Spend a few hours reading, painting, playing video games — whatever that hobby that you miss so much happens to be, just do it. Allowing yourself to relax and reset while doing something you genuinely enjoy will help you get in touch with yourself, and maybe even show you what you’ve been missing while you’ve been busy running on empty. And if your preferred activity is portable, head outside to give yourself a new environment, even if it’s just to your backyard.
5. Practice self-care.
If you are just absolutely too busy to take a break, we get it. Sometimes there literally are not enough hours in a day for you to stop and take a break. Instead, provide yourself with small breaks when you can and pamper yourself. Take a few drops of CBD oil. Put on a rejuvenating face mask while you type up one last report for the night. Slip into your favorite dress, even if you’re just doing chores around the house. Give yourself a manicure while you’re on a never-ending conference call. Pamper yourself with a cashmere blanket in little ways throughout the day to remind yourself that you are worth caring for, even if you’re too busy to see it.
Life is hectic, and sometimes we can let the stressors of our routine take priority over letting ourselves take a step back and relax. Remember that you can’t drink from an empty cup, and try to give yourself a little time here and there to fill yourself back up.
