Are you stressed? Do you need a break? No, this is not an infomercial, it’s a reminder to relax. We all get stressed. Life moves fast, and it’s hard to force yourself to take a break and unwind from routine. A hot tub is the perfect way to do this. But sometimes, relaxation time means more than just soaking in your hot tub. You need to create an atmosphere that will allow you to de-stress.

Aromatherapy

Have you ever noticed how your mood changes when you smell something strong? For example, if you’re outside and you smell flowers, your mood elevates and you feel happy. That’s not just the fresh air, it’s aromatherapy.

Even when you’re soaking in the hot tub, it can be hard to turn off stressful thinking. A good way to start eliminating these thoughts is to make yourself feel as relaxed as possible; aromatherapy can help.

Certain scents have proven to relax mood; lavender is one of them. Find scented candles or flowers to place around your hot tub. Not too much, just enough that the scent is prominent. After a few minutes in your hot tub, you will feel relaxed and content, without worrying about life’s little blunders.

Music

We all know the power that music can have on our minds. Your favourite song from 15 years ago still evokes the same emotion that it did when you first heard it. Use this to your advantage.

Set up a portable stereo or iPod docking station near your hot tub. Make a playlist of all the songs that make you feel happy and calm. Set it at a mild volume and let yourself get lost in the music.

This is another great way to help your mind wander away from everyday stresses. Which leads to the most important part: mindset.

Mindset

Switching your mind to a certain subject is often easier said than done. If I told you not to think about something, you would probably think of only that. There are ways that you can keep your mind away from certain thoughts, by replacing them with others.

As previously mentioned, music is a great way to do this, but it’s not the only way. Reading can help your mind focus on something else for a while. Grab your favourite book on your way to the hot tub. After all, what sounds better than a good book and a hot tub?

Meditation

Distracting your mind is one way to de-stress, but it is also important to know how to focus your mind on its own. Meditation is a proven method for clearing and recharging the mind. Not everyone knows how to meditate; it’s more than just closing your eyes and humming. You can look up meditation methods online, but here are a few:

– Get your body in a comfortable position
– Close your eyes
– Focus on your breathing
– Think of your favourite place in the world

If you can focus on these tactics, before you know it, hours will go by. This is the perfect way to force yourself to take a break.

You can work as hard possible, but if you don’t give your body and mind a break every now and then, eventually both will shut down. So forget your work, chores and bills for a night, and give yourself a break. Your body and mind will thank you for it.

Tags: Break, hot tub, Mental Health, relaxation