Rituals for Unwinding
How do you unwind? Relaxation is becoming increasingly important to me as I consider stress’ impact on my health. I struggle with high blood pressure and take medication to control it. That does keep it in check but I also use holistic practices to help reprogram my type AA personality.
Here are a few things I do to unwind.
- I stopped watching the news at the suggestion of Dr. Andrew Weil in this book and I have never regretted the decision. If something enormous happens, someone will tell me, but otherwise, I don’t need to know. Most local news is simply crime reporting which I find depressing and sad. If I need to know world events I can get a quick update from the internet.
- I listen to classical or spa music at home. This is my favorite soothing CD which plays on a loop in my car.
- I buy fresh flowers for myself each week because having beauty around me is relaxing.
- I’ve just rediscovered the joy of immersing myself in a fun novel. My latest are by Fiona Davis. I just finished The Address and loved it! It’s historical fiction about the famous Dakota in New York City. I dreaded coming to the end so quickly ordered The Dollhouse which is about the glamorous Barbizon Hotel for women, set in the 1950’s and present day. I like her writing so much I just bought her latest book, The Masterpiece, which is about Grand Central Station in the 1920’s and 1070’s. Sadly, those are the only 3 books she’s written so I am open for suggestions:)
- I am writing in a gratitude journal each morning, taking time to meditate and diffusing essential oils.
camping - My newest ritual has been to get up before the sun, light a candle and sit quietly enjoying my tea. There’s something very soothing about watching the world wake up. I like how it sets the mood for my day and find it helps me be more productive.
- I burn candles. Most evenings you’ll find candles burning on my mantle, coffee table, and end table. I find them soothing plus everything looks better by candlelight.
I recently found what may be the healthiest candles around. The owner reached out to me and after I read her story and tried her candles, I wanted to share them with you. This is not a sponsored post.
Rebecca is a breast cancer survivor who stopped burning candles because of their toxins. She missed enjoying the ritual of burning a candle so in 2014 created a safer alternative and started Sanari Candles.
These special candles are made from organic coconut wax and non-GMO soy wax which is sourced from organic farmers who use sustainable sources. It turns out that good old coconut wax is one of the safest waxes to burn, plus its renewable and environmentally friendly.
She mixes in pure essential oils for the full aromatherapy effect. The wick is a wide unbleached cotton which burns cleanly and evenly, creating a triangular glow. The candles are hand-poured into a recycled stemless wine glasses. How’s that for environmentally friendly?
Rebecca has generously offered to give my readers a 25% discount with the code LIFE25 at checkout, which is good until 9/30/18.
She has also generously offered to give away a 16 oz candle to one of my readers. My favorite fragrance so far is this Pompelo which is a blend of Douglas Fir, Chamomile, and Lavender. So soothing!
To win the candle, simply pop over here and see which blend sounds yummiest to you, Then come back and leave it in the comments. I will pick a winner at random.
How do you unwind?
This giveaway is now closed.
Thanks for reading ladies and have a great day!
Affiliate link within this post may generate income for AWSL
The Biscotti sounds like it would be perfect for fall. I need to find more time for myself to unwind and be quiet. Since my natural body rhythm is to be awake late, I simply can’t get up before the sun. So I guess the solution for me is to do any meditating before I go to sleep. This, in conjunction with my normal reading time right before I fall asleep, may benefit my sometimes restless sleep. At this point, I’m open for anything!
Meditation helps when ever you do it. It might make sleep much deeper;)
Sanam sounds lovely, but would go with your fave too. This is valuable information for me. I went thru treatment meant for lung cancer last year, so this is very helpful. Thank you.
Granita because I love rosemary
Sanam seems like a lovely summer scent that I’d like to try.
The blood orange, coconut, vanilla bean sounds interesting! Like the lime, basil, sage best but it’s out of stock unfortunately. Thanks for sharing these thoughts!
Like you, I stopped watching the news at night. I found it either disturbing or frustrating, both of which left me feeling anxious at bedtime. I do read our local news though.
I love to read and always have a book by my side. Have you thought of a book club, Jennifer? I belong to one and it is wonderful to be with a group of like minded women discussing a book of choice. It has also lead to some great reads that I might not have picked up.
I hopped on over to the Sanari site. Some many wonderful sounding scents. I particularly liked the sound of the Biscotti & Trentino. They sound yummy for the fall.
I’d love to try Granita. Citrus is my favorite. I love the idea of waking up early and enjoying a quiet peaceful morning, BUT I just can’t seem to do it. I need a solid 8 hours and rarely go to bed before midnight.
Thank you for your music and book recommendations, always appreciated. The scents of the Sanari candles look so interesting…wish you could get the fragrances through the computer. The scents I would love to try would be the Pompelo, Fresco and Bosco. The last two sound like something you would smell at a spa!
Thank you for sharing your relaxation rituals. I agree that stopping the inundation of daily depressing news reports is key. All of the Sanari candle scents sound wonderful to me, especially Sanam, Aria, Sorbetto, Bosco, and Biscotti.
I received a beautiful journal from my daughter for my 65th birthday last fall which was made more precious by the messages that she and her children wrote to me in the front pages. It is so special that I’ve hesitated to begin writing in it, but this post has inspired me to start using it as a gratitude journal and to add writing in it to my early morning routine. Thank you, Jennifer!
The candles sound wonderful. My first choice would be Sanam largely because it contains Jasmine, a scent that takes me back to the summer that we spent on the beautiful Pacific island of Saipan.
I love a good book, I’ll have to check these out! I love how the candles are environmentally friendly. The Sorbetto peaked my interest.
I love all of your ideas Jennifer, for relaxing, unwinding, and general well-being. Thank you for sharing them. I may try watching the morning wake up with a glass of herbal tea and the ‘Granita’ candle. It sounds soothing and invigorating (with grapefruit, rosemary, and dry oak) to both mind and spirit, which I need in the morning to give me a great start. Please keep sharing ideas knowing that there are people like me who benefit.
Biscotti. or Granita. So many choices. Thanks for sharing.
I’d like Granita–I love the smell of grapefruit!
Thanks for the book recommendations. I’ve got A series for you. Start with “At Home in Mitford.” I find it very soothing even though it has a religious background and I’m not of that religion.
Thanks Sandra! I’ll check them out
The Mitford series is fabulous. I’ve read the entire series twice.
Thank you for your blog Jennifer. Your blog is one of two that I still subscribe too, out of more than a dozen that used to come in my email each day. The fact that you share your life, ups and downs, makes you real and I feel blessed each day. Thanks again.
Thank you for being here Sharon! I think we’re all stronger when we support and learn from each other.
Thanks for the timely post. All the choices sound wonderful, especially Trentino (cinnamon bark, vanilla bean and clove).
Blood orange Coconut and Vanilla sounds wonderful. I quit burning candles years ago with all my allergies. These sound perfect!
Wouldn’t you know? My favorite is out of stock – Giardino. I love the scent of bergamot!
Trentino