ways to relax

In fact, the most powerful relaxation often shows up afterwards – in slower mornings, deeper sleep and a softer pace of life. The key is learning how to extend that feeling of ease, so the benefits of your spa experience stay with you long after your visit.

This relaxation guide shares simple, achievable ways to relax, unwind and destress at home. No complicated routines. No unrealistic expectations. Just gentle rituals that support your wellbeing, wherever you are.

Why relaxation matters more than ever

Modern life keeps us switched on. Notifications, deadlines and busy schedules can leave the nervous system stuck in ‘go’ mode. When stress becomes the default, it affects everything – from sleep quality and mood to focus and overall health.

Learning how to truly relax helps calm the mind, reduce stress levels and restore balance. And the good news? Relaxation isn’t something you have to escape your life to achieve. It’s something you can weave into it, day by day.

Start the day slowly

One of the simplest ways to keep the calm after a spa day is to rethink how your mornings begin. Rushed starts set the tone for stress. Slower mornings invite ease and clarity.

Try introducing one or two of these gentle habits:

• Wake up 10-15 minutes earlier to avoid rushing
• Delay checking your phone until after stretching or a few deep breaths
• Open a window and let in fresh air
• Enjoy a warm drink mindfully, without distractions

This small shift can make a noticeable difference to how grounded you feel for the rest of the day.

Create gentle evening rituals

How you end your day matters just as much as how you begin it. Evenings are your opportunity to signal to your body that it’s safe to slow down.

Simple ways to relax in the evening include:

• Dimming the lights an hour before bed
• Switching screens off earlier
• Taking a warm bath or shower – elevate the experience with Champneys Slumber Epsom Bath Salts to help ease tension and encourage deeper relaxation before sleep
• Using calming scents such as lavender or chamomile
• Reading or journalling instead of scrolling

Consistency is more important than perfection. Choose one ritual and make it yours.

Use the power of breath

Breathing is one of the fastest ways to destress, yet it’s often overlooked. Slow, intentional breathing activates the body’s relaxation response and helps bring the nervous system back into balance.

Try this simple breathing exercise:

• Inhale through your nose for 4 counts
• Hold for 2 counts
• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 counts
• Repeat for 2–5 minutes

This can be done anywhere - at your desk, before sleep or whenever you feel tension building.

Bring spa sensory touchpoints home

Part of what makes a spa experience so calming is the attention to the senses. You can recreate that same feeling at home by introducing small sensory rituals.

Try incorporating:

• Soft towels or a cosy robe - wrapping up in a plush Champneys Luxury Spa Robe helps recreate that just-left-the-spa feeling
• Calming music or gentle nature sounds
• Essential oils or scented candles
• Slow, intentional skincare rituals

These details help your mind associate home with relaxation, not just productivity.

Schedule moments of rest

Rest doesn’t have to wait until the weekend. Intentionally scheduling short moments of calm throughout the day helps prevent stress from building up.

Simple ideas include:

• A short walk outside at lunchtime
• Five minutes of stillness between meetings
• A gentle stretch break mid-afternoon
• A quiet cup of tea without multitasking

Think of rest as maintenance, not a reward.

Let go of the need to do it all

True relaxation often begins when we allow ourselves to do less. Not every moment needs to be productive. Not every evening needs to be full.

Give yourself permission to:

• Say no more often
• Leave some things unfinished
• Choose rest without guilt

Calm grows in the space you create for it.

Keep the Champneys feeling alive

Your time at Champneys is more than a moment away - it’s a reminder of how good life can feel when you slow down. By introducing small rituals and mindful pauses into your daily routine, you can keep that sense of relaxation alive long after you leave the spa.

Because calm isn’t something you visit once. It’s something you can return to, again and again.