How To Prep Your Pre-Slumber State Of Zen

Let’s talk about the elephant in the bedroom… sleep troubles.

Since the pandemic started, more and more of us are having trouble sleeping when the light goes out, with fewer than 1 in 10 adults sleeping well during lockdown*.

Your bedroom has become your office which feels like all work and no play. Tossing and turning, thinking about tomorrow’s troubles… and overanalysing the time you forgot you were on camera and started hanging up your washing during a serious Zoom call. Yikes. We’ve all been there.

Now, although we are proud purveyors in everything pampering, sadly we can’t wish – or wash – away ALL of your worries. However, we do know a thing or two about self-care – and boy, does a little go a long way. Simple self-care practices and little moments of down time on the daily can really help ease the impact of life’s stressors and stresses… even if for only your bath-time.

Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. And just like which Spice Girl is our favourite, it’s different for everyone, and what you need to relax your mind can vary, alter or change depending on your mood.

So, the *most* important thing is to follow your own needs, not what you think you are “supposed to do” to relax. You might hate yoga, whilst your bestie swears by it. You might yawn at the mere thought of picking up a book but love a good Netflix binge. Simply put, do what feels good for you and your mental state.

If you’re not sure where to start, then check our tips below to help you figure out which ways to relax work for you and bring you to your own state of zen.

1. Think about when you feel at your calmest – is it when you’re alone listening to relaxing music? Or when you’re watching tv, surrounded by friends or family? Whatever it is you’re doing when you feel most at peace, tap into that and purposefully cultivate more moments where you can feel that sense of calm within your day.
2. Think back to what you enjoyed as a child – Most people have an activity that they loved as a child – was it being out in the countryside and getting muddy, stocking up on the latest Pokémon cards or baking cakes? As an adult, these activities can act as a go-to self-care practice for when things feel just a little too stressful in the real world. Yep, you heard it here first – Soap & Glory are giving you permission to abandon all responsibilities and act like a child again!
3. Try mindfulness – According to the experts, mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us**. Have a think about activities where you could be fully present – it could be a bedtime meditation – or savouring every second of that late-night donut!
4. Leave your phone for an hour before bed – We know, sounds crazy. Not answering that pre-bed buzz of the group chat, not knowing what Amy from Netball had for dinner on Instagram, not seeing the tiny dogs dressed in Halloween costumes. It seems like hard work, but the more pockets of time you create for yourself without relying on mindlessly scouring through social media, the more it helps you to discover what you actually enjoy doing to unwind in the evening.
5. Update your body care routine with our new Perfect Zen range.

Wash away the day with our Perfect Zen Body Care Collection, featuring an indulgent fragrance expertly blended to help you relax, and prepare for sleep.​ With notes of Lavender and Tonka Bean; you’re going to love the calming scent.

The range is made up of 4 products; a foaming shower oil, a body souffle, a warming body scrub and a calming bath milk. Just reading that makes us feel all relaxed.

Perfect Zen is a 10 out of 10 when it comes to relaxation points. Let’s take a closer look at the range: