Make your Home Relaxing

Colours
Your choice of colour is important when you are thinking of decorating your child's bedroom or quiet rooms. Soft pinks, blues and greens induce a feeling of calm, whilst orange, reds and yellows are best for the playroom.

Smells
There is nothing more relaxing than the smell of lavender. You can burn lavender oil or add a few drops to a bottle of water and spray it around the room just before bedtime. This is much better for your family’s health than breathing in chemicals from artificial air fresheners.

Sounds
Keeping the volume on the television and radio low will help create a peaceful atmosphere in your house. If you can play relaxing classics as bedtime approaches, this will increase the feeling of calm and serenity in your household. You can now buy relaxation music from Relax Kids. You may like to play a Relax Kids meditation CD or try the FREE DOWNLOAD

Lighting
As the evening approaches, it is a good idea to dim the lights gradually, so helping to prepare your child's body for sleep. Keeping children away from the flickering TV screen before bed will also help then relax and enjoy a better sleep.

Food
In the evening, encourage your family to eat plenty of food containing Tryptophan, which is a precursor of the sleep-inducing substances serotonin and melatonin. These include dairy and soy products as well as seafood, whole grains, rice, lentils, sesame and sunflower seeds. Try oatmeal and raisin cookies with a glass or milk, a peanut butter sandwich or a whole grain cereal as a bedtime snack.

Building a Relaxation Corner
You may like to build a relaxation corner in one part of your house. You can fill it with soft cushions, beautiful fabrics or maybe a comfy chair. Creating a corner of the room that is ‘special’ is a great way to encourage everyone in the family to join in and relax. Candles, incense and relaxing music will all add to the calm and atmosphere of this special space. Relax and De-stress is a great CD for older children to enjoy a few moments quiet.