I’m one of those Type A people who has a hard time slowing down. My mom told me to stop drinking coffee, she was around my age when she cut out coffee due to menopause, but I’m loathe to do that. To relax I try to drink herbal tea, do mediation and sometimes yoga. Sheet masks are another nice way to slow down and do self care. (I recommended these earlier and got good feedback on them!) If you don’t have a lot of time or cash there are options. There are free yoga and meditation videos on YouTube that take less than half an hour. This is an affiliate post but please research cheaper alternatives on eBay and in your area. (Also check out Goodwill and thrift shops! I know it’s not for everyone but I love thrifting and find great bargains.)
An acupressure mat to improve circulation and relieve plain
People say that lying on this mat for a few minutes a day can aid recovery time after working out and that it also reduces back pain. I own a similar product after Lainey Gossip recommended it years ago. I nearly forgot about it because I put it in a closet and it’s one of those “need to remember you have it” products, like that awesome tens unit I recommended earlier. I just used it again, while wearing thin workout clothes, and it was so nice. I’m leaving it in my office so I use it every day. I’m going to lay on it while meditating!
Quick meditation that doesn’t take work at all
When I can remember and take the time out (about 2-3 times a week) I do 10-15 minute free guided meditations at home. It’s not a big time investment and I don’t second-guess myself like when I’m trying to meditate on my own. My favorite channel is The Honest Guys and they have some sleep talkdown meditations along with some truly creative scenarios. This 15 minute one, where you (spoiler) meet an ancient human-like bird that takes away your anxiety, is so weird but it’s one of my favorites. I also love this simple 10 minute meditation with music.
Also, listening to relaxing music while you work can feel like a real treat. Sometimes I listen to lofi hip hop or vaporwave. (It’s different and I have to be in the mood.) Alpha waves can be amazing for focusing and studying. If you have an extra monitor or just want to spend some time looking at nature and beautiful scenery there are so many options on YouTube, some with music.
A fleece robe to keep cozy and warm at home
There’s nothing quite like taking a shower, slipping on a cozy robe and then lounging around the house. Of course most of us put on clothes and go about our day but doesn’t a day at home on the couch watching netflix in a robe sound amazing? Wearing a soft enveloping robe for even 20 minutes while getting ready sounds so nice. My terrycloth one is so busted. This one has hundreds of positive reviews, it’s very affordable at around $30 and it comes in seven different colors.
A velour tracksuit you won’t mind leaving the house in
I own a pink velour tracksuit and I’m not ashamed to go out in it. I have white old school reeboks I wear with it and it’s such a throwback. It’s one of my favorite lounging outfits and I’ve even worked out in it. I got mine from Peebles but this velour tracksuit from Amazon would be a nice option. It comes in navy, black and wine . If you’re looking for separates, here’s an absolutely gorgeous velvet hoodie in the same color as my tracksuit. Look at these velvet leggings! I want these now for mix and match.
A tray for your tub so you can settle in for a long soak
I once covered a story with Liv Tyler where she said she spends, no joke, two hours in the tub every night. She was pregnant at the time, but I often wonder if she still does it. She would watch entire shows from the tub. Now that I have a waterproof Samsung phone I realized that this is an option for me. Here’s an adjustable tray with room for a wine glass or cup of tea, your waterproof device or a book, a candle and soap. I have smallish tubs but this is supposed to fit those too. If you have a big soaking tub or even a jet tub you could be spending more time there while keeping your products close at hand.
Bath bombs to make bathtime special
Bath bombs can be expensive and perfumey. It’s hard to know what you’ll get before you use them. This set has 24 organic bath bombs for around $30. Users say they’re not heavily scented, that the oils leave your skin feeling nice, and that they make a very thoughtful gift. They have no parabens, sulfates or chemicals and are all natural. Some people say they turn the water weird colors, but that seems like a minor complaint.
Make tea and boil water for cooking really fast
If you don’t have an electric kettle yet, consider getting one. It’s nice to make a fast cup of tea or to preheat the water for food like rice, pasta or vegetables. I’ve had this Ivation electric kettle for years and it still works great. (My mom has a model from another company that automatically restarts itself if you don’t use the water within a few minutes. That can be annoying, but this one turns itself off.) It’s a nice break to have a cup of tea, and is also a nice wind down for bed.
A product that will make staying at home better (NSFW)
A friend owns this product (NSFW) and considers it indispensable, however that company seemingly went out of business and there are dupes that may be just as good for less. Buzzfeed writers raved (NSFW) about it.
Thanks for reading and commenting on our affiliate post!
Images credit pixabay, bruce mars, via pexels.
I do think I need to meditate more. I think even 15 minutes at night would help shut my mind off before I try to sleep. Often I lay in bed at night and just try to shut out racing thoughts for a half hour before my mind quiets enough to sleep.
It’s essential…vital even to disengage from the phone whether in the tub or relaxing during the evenings.
That’s my one piece of advice. Enjoy your downtime peeps!
Agreed. My 17 year old son loves baths and I only recently realized he brings his phone into the tub with him. I was appalled. It seems to negate the whole purpose.
I like to play games on my phone while in the bath.
I guess if it relaxes you it makes sense. I’m not keen on the risk of dropping the phone in the water, though, lol.
Beautiful kitty.
I just clicked on article because I have a twin to that kitty. He’s my big, handsome boy, Tank.
Are you guys going to be doing affiliate posts all year? I was really hoping this was just a holiday thing.
We will do them on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you read US or People they do them much more frequently. It’s how online ads are moving now and is somewhat inevitable. I am trying to be honest and transparent about it. Most media has ads.
I like these posts!
I don’t mind the affiliate posts. You all are transparent about it like you said and if I don’t feel the need to click it or buy anything, I won’t, but that robe does look very comfy in todays post 😉
I like them, too! I bought a crap ton of stuff from the “get organized” in the new year one. 🤣
If you don’t like it, don’t click on it!
Ha, you guys are about the only ones i read. No problem, was just wondering!
The posts are cool with me, especially when you lead with pictures of adorable cats. I MUCH prefer something like affiliated posts compared to pop up ads or a subscription service.
I like them, too. And no one has to click on them. 🤷🏻♀️
I like them! It is better than a magazine article because you can get instant feedback from other readers. I really appreciate these links to videos, etc for mediation and relaxing especially!
Same here – I don’t mind the affiliate posts at all. I’ve been following Celebitchy for years and years and appreciate the work you all put into it. Hope the links net you some $$.
If you don’t like it, you’re free not to click on them!
Aw, kitty is so sweet!
Lovely post, thanks. I haven’t had a robe in decades and I think I really need one!
I’ll add that my son gets really sore from workouts and has found that epsom salts are really good for easing muscle soreness. I sometimes even dip my feet into an epsom salt bath and my foot pain goes away so quickly. Dr Teal’s makes bags of epsom salts and foaming bath products with epsom salt and other nicely scented ingredients that add to the relaxation. And they’re cheap on Amazon. I’ve noticed they’ve become much more widely available at drugstores, too.
That’s a really good tip! I used to dump a lot of epsom salt into baths after working out but I forgot about this.
Do you have a lot of international readers? Maybe it would be an idea to also show options on (for instance) amazon.co.uk or amazon.de. And maximalize the effect of your post.
A lot of products you link to don’t offer shipment to Europe. Or the shipping costs are high. (I really want that velour tracksuit but shipping is almost 20 dollars!)
Not sure if it’s possible, but I’d love this! both of those amazon’s work for me 🙂
Same here – I use Amazon UK a lot & would be happy to go through affiliate links to get there.
My ‘product that makes staying home better’ is pretty great and was affordable. The site I used, don’t know if I can say, has a great selection, fantastic customer service and values discretion. Some of you might know who I am talking about.
Please let us know. My husband is not in the area right now and i am Missing him, i need a substitute till he gets here. Maybe try spelling out the name w spaces in it and leave off the dot com ?
@Snowflake.
It those two people, you know who ate the apple in the Garden of Eden. And she got blamed for everything and he got off scot free.
They are solid. I have order a few things from and it has been great.
I can’t say enough about giving up caffeine. Do it. There are plenty of decaf coffee and teas to enjoy.
I love my electric kettle. Got the Amazon brand and it works great.
Eye masks. Ones you chill. I have a gel one and it is great for meditation too.
“My friend” has this NSFW product…. sure, friend. 😉
Buy Epsom salts in bulk from Amazon, much better deal than the small 5lb bags.
Added the robe to my wish list!!
I’ll also add, I’ve had a membership for 2 years at YogaWorks and I LOVE IT!! I really don’t do hardcore exercise and YogaWorks fits the bill for me. I try to go at least 5 times a week and each class ends with a relaxing guided shavasana!! Works wonders for my mental state. Highly recommend!! (the membership price is a good deal but they also have package deals for a number of classes too)
Just bought an acupressure mat and pillow (not that one, an ajna one has better reviews and is organic) and it looks DOPE. Wouldn’t have even known this existed! Thank you!