Articles on relaxation, stress, sleep and calm
Practical reading on relaxing your mind and body, easing stress and anxiety, and sleeping better. Each article links to the guide and to practitioners near you.
Breathing exercises
Breathing exercises for stress
Four simple breathing exercises for stress and anxiety, starting with the NHS five-minute routine. Step-by-step, with safety notes.
· 4 min read
Calming anxiety and worry
How to calm down quickly
Quick ways to calm down when you feel overwhelmed or panicky: slow breathing, grounding, changing scene, and when to get help.
· 3 min read
Stress relief
Body scan relaxation
How to do a body scan for relaxation, from your feet to your head, in 10 minutes. Step-by-step instructions and tips for beginners.
· 3 min read
Stress relief
Progressive muscle relaxation
How to do progressive muscle relaxation: tense and release each muscle group in turn to ease physical tension. Simple steps and safety tips.
· 3 min read
Stress relief
How stress affects your body
How stress shows up in your body, from tight shoulders to poor sleep, why relaxing your body can calm your mind, and when to see a GP.
· 3 min read
Stress relief
Guided visualisation for relaxation
How to use guided visualisation to relax: picture a calm place in detail for five to ten minutes. Step-by-step script and tips.
· 3 min read
Stress relief
Gentle stretches to release tension
Six gentle stretches to release tension in your neck, shoulders and back. Easy to do at a desk or at home, with safety tips.
· 3 min read
Calming anxiety and worry
Relaxation techniques for anxiety
Relaxation techniques that can help with anxiety, from slow breathing to a daily worry time, and when to speak to your GP.
· 3 min read
Sleep and relaxation
Relaxation techniques for better sleep
Five relaxation techniques that can help you fall asleep: slow breathing, a body scan, muscle relaxation, visualisation and a wind-down routine.
· 3 min read
Sleep and relaxation
How to stop overthinking at night
Practical ways to stop overthinking at night: write a to-do list, set a worry time, slow your breathing and know when to get up. Plus when to see a GP.
· 3 min read
Sleep and relaxation
An evening routine to unwind
A simple evening routine to unwind after a stressful day: screens off, a stretch, a warm drink, three lines in a notebook and slow breathing.
· 3 min read
Work stress and burnout
Stress relief at work
Quick, practical ways to relieve stress at work: one-minute breathing, a stretch at your desk, a proper break and how to ask for help.
· 3 min read
Work stress and burnout
Signs of burnout and how to recover
The signs of burnout, how it differs from ordinary stress, and gentle steps to recover: rest, boundaries, support and help from your GP.
· 3 min read
Exams and young people
Exam stress tips
Eight tips to manage exam stress: plan, take breaks, sleep, move, breathe and talk. For students and parents, with when to ask for help.
· 3 min read
About sophrology
Sophrology vs meditation
Sophrology and meditation both help you slow down, but they work differently. See how they compare, what they share and which might suit you.
· 3 min read
Breathing exercises
A sophrology breathing exercise to try at home
A short breathing exercise with gentle movement, in the style of sophrology, that you can try at home in about five minutes. Includes safety notes.
· 3 min read
Sleep and relaxation
Sophrology for sleep
A gentle evening routine in the style of sophrology to help you wind down before bed, plus when to speak to your GP about sleep problems.
· 3 min read
Exams and young people
Sophrology for exam nerves
How students use sophrology to prepare for exams: a short routine for before and during the exam, and when to ask for more help.
· 2 min read
Pregnancy and birth
Sophrology for pregnancy and birth
How sophrology is used to prepare for pregnancy and birth: what sessions involve, how partners can take part, and what to tell your midwife.
· 2 min read
About sophrology
How to choose a sophrologist
Seven questions to ask before you book a sophrologist in the UK, and the warning signs to look out for.
· 2 min read