{"id":1443,"date":"2023-05-18T09:06:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T08:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/?p=1443"},"modified":"2025-01-22T10:10:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T10:10:26","slug":"brengles-ultimate-guide-to-relaxation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/2023\/05\/18\/brengles-ultimate-guide-to-relaxation\/","title":{"rendered":"Brengle\u2019s ultimate guide to relaxation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Life is busy, so it\u2019s easy to think that giving ourselves a moment to unwind is a luxury we don\u2019t have time for. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s actually an essential part of<\/strong> looking after our mental wellbeing, helping to relieve stress, improve sleep and boost our mood.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve paired up with Brengle the Therapy Dog, who is taking us through his ultimate guide to relaxation…<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brengle<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Listen to music<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

While calm, classical music may not be your jam, research<\/a> has shown that listening to it can help to relieve stress, tackle insomnia and ease symptoms of depression. Why not try Spotify\u2019s Classical Essentials<\/a>\u00a0or escape into the chilled vibes of the Relax and Unwind<\/a> playlist?<\/span><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s a mood boost you\u2019re looking for, we suggest playing something upbeat. Check out The Ultimate Happy Playlist<\/a> on Spotify for some inspiration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brengle<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Try yoga<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Even if your downward-facing dog pose isn\u2019t as good as Brengle\u2019s, yoga is great for physical and mental wellbeing, improving flexibility, balance and posture. The focus on breathing and meditation also makes it an excellent way to find your calm.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a beginner, get into yoga with The New York Times\u2019<\/a> round-up of yoga poses for everybody and see if it works for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Get lost in a book<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Reading can be a very effective stress reliever. It\u2019s even being recommended by some healthcare professionals and psychologists as a treatment – bibliotherapy<\/a> – for those showing symptoms of depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

And it doesn\u2019t just need to be self-help or factual books either. In fact, fiction can provide a welcome escape from reality, allowing readers to leave their busy schedules and worries behind to join a fantasy world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, Brengle opts for Animal Farm, but there are plenty<\/em> to choose from. Find out more about the benefits of reading from bibliotherapists<\/a>, or check out Insider\u2019s recommendations<\/a> for the ultimate escapist reads.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brengle's<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Hang with friends\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Socialising regularly offers a number of benefits. It gives people opportunities to have fun with others, share experiences and build support networks, while combatting feelings of loneliness and isolation.<\/span><\/p>\n

And there\u2019s plenty of things to do and places to go in the region. Have a look at The Gazette\u2019s top 70 suggestions<\/a> for some ideas on what to plan for your next hang-out session.<\/span><\/p>\n

You should remember to schedule some alone time too, which is also important for maintaining mental wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brengle<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Walkies\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As well as the obvious physical health benefits of getting active through walking, it\u2019s also great for mental wellbeing. According to Bupa<\/a>, getting your steps in can help with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, mood and much more.<\/span><\/p>\n

So if you\u2019re feeling like you need to unwind, stepping outside for a nice walk (or walkies in Brengle\u2019s case) is a great option. Talking Teesside<\/a> even has some recommendations for scenic walking routes you can enjoy around the region.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Therapy<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Grab a healthy snack<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

While eating more junk food can feel like a nice distraction from stress due to it stimulating the release of ‘happy hormones\u2019 in our brains in the short term, eventually it can actually make us feel even worse. Research<\/a> around this has revealed a link between processed foods and depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eating regular meals and opting for whole, natural foods helps with energy, mood and fatigue according to BBC Good Food<\/a>, which also emphasises the importance of getting your five-a-day. And if you want to get the best out of your veggies, check out our blog post about how to get more goodness from greens.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say we can\u2019t enjoy treats – cutting out junk food entirely isn\u2019t a sustainable option for a lot of us, myself included. It\u2019s all about striking the right balance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brengle's<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Watch some TV\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Like books, TV provides an opportunity for viewers to escape from their jam-packed to-do lists and immerse themselves in something new.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And while binging too much isn\u2019t so good, research<\/a> suggests that spending a little bit of time watching calming, funny or uplifting programmes along with other activities such as getting active and engaging with hobbies can be beneficial.<\/span><\/p>\n

My go-to, easy watch when I need to recharge is The Office, but you can check out Time\u2019s list<\/a> of the best shows to see while you\u2019re stressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brengle<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Devote some time to your hobbies\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Why not try your hand at crocheting or embroidery? Have a go at painting or dancing. Take up karate or join a chess club. The list goes on… <\/span><\/p>\n

Literally, there\u2019s an actual list of different hobbies<\/a> you can try. And that\u2019s because there are such wide-spread benefits to engaging with activities we enjoy, including reduced stress, improved mood and better sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to take up a hobby, or expand on one of your current interests, read The New York Times\u2019 guide<\/a> to finding something that works for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Sleep<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Not getting enough of the right type of sleep can cause or worsen anxiety, irritability and loneliness according to Mind<\/a>.\u00a0Bupa<\/a> also suggests that good sleep helps us to reduce stress, maintain a healthy immune system and improve concentration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Making sure you\u2019re getting enough sleep is a great way to unwind, and you\u2019re likely to feel loads better once you\u2019re in a routine. <\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>f you\u2019re struggling to get a good night\u2019s sleep, check out our blog post<\/a> for some helpful tips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brengle<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Find your happy place<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

‘Go to your happy place.\u2019 It\u2019s a line in countless shows or movies where a character is feeling stressed and attempting guided meditation or mindfulness for the first time. <\/span>And for good reason…<\/span><\/p>\n

Psychology Today<\/a> discusses the emotions that we attach to specific places and how thinking about or visualising these spaces can actually be an effective stress reliever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brengle\u2019s happy place? I\u2019m sure he\u2019s sat comfortably in some grass on a warm day, enjoying a treat after a nice, long walk. Try to imagine yours next time you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed and see if it works for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re feeling stressed or struggling, you should talk to somebody you\u2019re comfortable with about how you\u2019re feeling or chat to your GP for advice and help. Those within the region can reach out to Impact on Teesside<\/a> for additional support.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There are also a wide range of online platforms and services which can help. Mind<\/a> provides a wealth of useful information and resources around mental wellbeing, while Student Space<\/a> offers tailored support around student life.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re studying at Teesside University, you can access confidential support 24\/7 through the Student Assistance Programme<\/a> and book an appointment to speak to somebody through Student Life<\/a>. <\/strong><\/span>Teesside University students can usually meet Brengle the Therapy Dog on campus, in the Student Life Building, on Fridays during term time between 10.00am – 12.00pm.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Lauren\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Life is busy, so it\u2019s easy to think that giving ourselves a moment to unwind is a luxury we don\u2019t have time for. But it\u2019s actually an essential part of looking after our mental wellbeing, helping to relieve stress, improve sleep and boost our mood. We\u2019ve paired up with Brengle the Therapy Dog, who is … Continue reading “Brengle\u2019s ultimate guide to relaxation”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25094,"featured_media":1611,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[223,102,99],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/files\/2023\/04\/Img297217.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1443"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25094"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1443"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3979,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1443\/revisions\/3979"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tees.ac.uk\/talkingteesside\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}