The lost art of relaxation

4 Apr 2018 08:15
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Brits have lost the knack of relaxation with nearly three quarters of people admitting they often have days where they simply don’t get any ‘down or relaxation time’ at all. 

A quarter of those asked in a survey commissioned by supplement and wellbeing brand Healthspan said they don’t get any time to themselves to relax and then, when they do, over a quarter stated they no longer know how to relax.

It’s not just during the week that people find it hard to relax, forty-six per cent of people even struggle to relax at the weekend, when they go on holiday or when they have a few days off, like the Easter break.

Dr Megan Arroll, a psychologist on behalf of Healthspan that commissioned the research to support the launch of its new cannabidiol (CBD) oil supplements which support wellbeing said: “The research shows that 31 per cent of people stated they can’t relax because they struggle to switch off. Just as sleep offers an important restorative function, so does rest, relaxation and down-time. Our societies and technologies have evolved so much that we now need to schedule in more of these vital forms of restoration, which can be active such as creative art-making or more passive such as listening to music. The important thing is to find time to relax – use whatever works for you but do make sure to add some ‘me time’ into your daily activities.”

Work, being a worrier, struggling with anxiety a lot of the time and spending most of the day rushing around juggling work, childcare and their home life, means many people are finding it hard to relax.
 
Dr Meg continues: “The research commissioned by Healthspan has shown that as a nation we are losing the ability to relax. Relaxing, winding down and unplugging from our busy lives is important as it gives our bodies and minds a chance to recalibrate. Over half of the people in the survey stated that not being able to relax had impacted on their sleep, caused further anxiety and even lead to feelings of depression.” 
 
The study of 2,000 adults found almost two hours a day is spent feeling stressed or worried, with more than four in 10 saying they find it hard to switch off and relax  and the hype around cannabis oil has show that 3% of  Brit’s are now turning to products like CBD Oil in a bit to help them relax. 
 
Fifty-seven per cent of people have been so wound up, they have even had others comment on their stressed-out demeanour or tell them that they need to relax more.
 
Almost a third of people put their struggle to chill out down to ‘being a worrier’ while another three in 10 say they find it hard to switch their brain off and stop thinking about everything.
 
Thirty per cent also say they are too busy to take a step back from everything while others blame their partner, children and their job for their lack of relaxation.
 
As a result, one in three often feel like they never get any time to themselves, with half of the population wishing they had more time to relax.
 
But the study, carried out via OnePoll.com, found that as a result of not being able to relax, 47 per cent have suffered muscle tension, while 58 per cent have been left feeling irritable. Others have problems sleeping, crave comfort foods or feel more tired than usual (57%).
 
Six in 10 admit feeling wound up has an effect on their relationship with others and 34 per cent say it often leads to them overreacting to small things they would usually just ignore.
 
It also emerged almost one in five have even sought professional help because they found it so hard to switch off and relax.
 
Those surveyed who revealed they get up to 67 minutes a day to relax said they found the best way to properly relax was to watch a good box set, read a book, watch a movie, have a bath or go for a walk and surf the net. Three in 100 have turned to cannabidiol supplements, known as CBD oil, in a bid to help them relax.
 
Dr Sarah Brewer, Medical Director of Healthspan, said: ‘Cannabidiol, or CBD, oil is one of the fastest growing wellbeing supplements in both the US and the UK. Derived from industrial hemp plants, it has a lifting and relaxing effect on mood with none of the adverse psychoactive effects associated with marijuana. It is perfectly legal to take. CBD oil acts via the body’s own endocannabinoid system to promote feelings of wellbeing. It’s a great choice if you are finding it difficult to relax, as it is not habit forming.’
 
Brits are so stressed and continually now looking for different ways to help them relax, people said they would even be prepared to pay £78.60 for an hour of relaxation, with almost one in 10 admitting they would be happy to part with £100 or more for 60 minutes of peace.
 
Top 10 things which stop people from relaxing
  1. I’m a worrier
  2. I struggle to switch off
  3. I’m too busy
  4. My job
  5. I am too stressed or anxious to switch off
  6. My children
  7. I have too many people relying on me
  8. I suffer from anxiety
  9. My partner
  10. I just don’t really know how to relax
10 things Brit’s do to  relax:
  1. Watch a good box set
  2. Watch a movie 
  3. Read a book
  4. Listen to music
  5. Go for a walk
  6. Have a bath 
  7. Surf the internet 
  8. Eat a treat 
  9. Glass of wine 

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