Whether your day is at work, shopping or taking in the city sites with the family, we often come home exhausted yet sort of wired. Here’s a few ways to quickly relax (and pamper yourself) in 15 minutes!

Take an Epsom Salt Bath

Any bath is relaxing and relieves stress but using epsom salts takes it a step further. The magnesium in epsom salts is absorbed through our skin and works in many beneficial ways. Magnesium is said to reduce inflammation and relax tense muscles. Can’t find time for a bath? Try a magnesium foot soak. Add a few drops of an essential oil like lavender to your bath or foot soak water before you get in. Make sure you are using chemical free bath foams, oils and shower gels like these. No one wants to sit in a vat of chemicals and dyes! Make your bathroom an natural oasis of peace by hanging lavender or eucalyptus bunches and lots of greenery.

Try Aromatherapy

Numerous studies have shown the powerful effects of essential oils like lavender, bergamot, ylang ylang, mandarin, patchouli and many others. Whether you sniff them, place a few drops near your bed on a sachet or you use a diffuser, you’ll likely find your body and mind relaxing faster and sleep coming sooner. For an hour before bed, diffuse an oil in the bedroom to de-stress and unwind. Rose, chamomile, bergamot, frankincense and ylang ylang work well for that or look for a blend that is specific to relaxing and calming the mind. Aromatherapy is simple and very effective. Learn more here about essential oils

Carve out 15 Minutes of “ME Time”

Everyone is different and the ways that we release tension can vary. You know yourself best, but try taking 15 minutes for you, without distractions like cell phones (or kids for that matter!). You may want to relax by  shutting yourself in a bedroom and listen to relaxing music for 15 minutes. 15 minutes of stretching, pilates, yoga or tai chi can be absolutely restoring. More is not always necessary. Or perhaps you’ll enjoy a quick 15 minute run on the treadmill to get yourself into a sweat and release tension. Or maybe a short walk around the block in the fresh air (or around the yard if that’s all you can do.) Just you, the stars and the moon. The key is to DO IT, not just think about it. Don’t throw yourself in bed all wound up from work, bills, cooking, shopping, commuting, noise and crowds.

No matter how stressful and busy your days are, you can rejuvenate and relax by taking some short time for you. Combine all 3 methods and you’ll likely erase all those tensions and feel recharged and ready for a great night’s sleep.

Try this: Turn off the phone and spend 15 minutes with your pets. Or more. No distractions. Just love.