How do you wind down at the end of the day? Do you consciously try to wind down? A lot of the time when I ask my patients how they like to wind down – a lot don’t make a conscious effort to do so, and/or assume I’m about to chastise them for not having a meditation practice.

Meditation is fantastic, however it isn’t for everyone, if you don’t like it – thats fine! But it is important to have a practice that you can use to ground, and refresh after our busy lifestyle and give the nervous system a chance to unpack and reset. So, here are a few suggestions that aren’t meditation, that may intrigue you to try:

• Breathing exercises – There are many different breathing techniques out there. However starting with simple deep breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest system) to help facilitate feelings of ease and relaxation.
• Try an acupressure mat – Many swear by acupressure mats and believe it to help sleep, circulation, muscle recovery, and relaxation.
• Reading – Just the simple act of reading can slow your heart rate help you decompress and is even suggested to help sleep!
• Gentle exercise (dance, yin yoga, walking) –
• Singing or humming – stimulates the vagus nerve, a nerve controlling the parasympathetic nervous system – again facilitating relaxation.
• Journaling – get it out of your head and on to the page! Journaling can help with cognitive and emotional processing
• Make art – creating is a great way to express your emotions without words, and process complex emotions.
• Prioritise cuddles!

Have found a version of mediation that works for you? Let us know!