That’s it, summer is gone. And with it came the rush of September, the return of long workdays, traffic, endless to-do lists, and a mind that refuses to switch off. Finding effective ways to relax feels more essential than ever.
Whether you’re a parent juggling family logistics or someone navigating high-stress days at the office, one thing’s for sure: it’s hard to wind down.
As a certified Yoga for Hormones instructor, I’ve helped many people restore calm with simple yet powerful practices. In this article, I’m sharing my 3 go-to ways to relax that can help you reset your nervous system and make your evenings feel like a moment of care, not just recovery.
3 powerful ways to relax after a stressful day
1. Yoga Nidra or NSDR: reset your nervous system
Yoga Nidra, also known as NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest), is the practice I recommend to anyone who feels overwhelmed and can’t seem to catch a break. It lowers cortisol (your stress hormone), replenishes dopamine, and gives your body and mind the pause they’re craving.
The best part? You don’t need a yoga mat, special clothes, or a studio. Just a quiet place to sit or lie down and something to listen to.
How to do it: Once you get home, ask your loved ones for 10 minutes. Find a quiet space, lie down, and press play on your Yoga Nidra session.
It’s not just about relaxing. After 10 minutes, your body shifts into a restorative state. You’ll feel lighter, more grounded, and ready to enjoy your evening without feeling wired or depleted.
2. Breathwork: your body’s built-in relaxation tool
In yoga, we call it pranayama, the art of conscious breathing. Just a few minutes can shift your body from stress mode into calm mode by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
One of my favorite breath techniques is called the physiological sigh or double inhale. It helps release tension in just a few rounds.
Here’s how to do it:
- Inhale deeply through the nose
- Without exhaling, take a quick second inhale through the nose
- Exhale slowly through the mouth with a soft sigh
- Repeat for 3 to 5 minutes
When to do it: Try it right after parking your car or before bed. These few minutes of breathwork can help you transition from a busy day into an evening of real rest and connection.
3. Introspection: calm your mind by knowing yourself
Yoga isn’t just physical, it’s also about inner awareness. One of its core principles is svadhyaya, or self-study. Taking time to observe your emotions and thoughts helps you respond with clarity instead of reactivity.
How to start: Set aside 10 to 15 minutes before bed with a notebook. Write down how you feel, what triggered stress today, where you felt it in your body, and what helped. No pressure to be poetic, just honest.
This simple act activates areas in the brain responsible for emotional regulation. And over time, it builds emotional resilience and self-awareness, the kind that helps you respond to life instead of reacting to it.
Take your relaxation further with the Relaxing Yoga Techniques Program
If these techniques resonate with you, I invite you to explore my Relaxing Yoga Techniques Program, a step-by-step guide to reduce stress, release tension, and restore your energy.
Inside the program, you’ll find:
- A 10-minute calming breathwork practice
- Two Yoga Nidra sessions (5 and 10 mins)
- Two Yin Yoga flows (15 and 20 mins)
- A quick-start guide to make it part of your routine
Whether you want to sleep better, balance your hormones, reduce inflammation, or simply feel more grounded, this program was designed to support you.
Practice anytime, from anywhere, no prior yoga experience needed.
👉 Enroll now for immediate access
Reset your body and mind in 5 days
Want to go deeper and be supported by a full team of experts?
Join our Free 5-Day Body Reset Challenge (Sept 21–26, 2025) and experience how these practices integrate with:
- Daily expert-led webinars on stress, hormones, digestion, and weight loss
- Guided yoga and exercise sessions to help you move with purpose
- Anti-inflammatory recipes to support gut health and detox
- Real-time coaching and community support inside our app
This challenge is designed to help you rebuild your energy, support your metabolism, and create sustainable habits that stick, starting with just one week.
👉 Reserve your spot for the 5-Day Reset Challenge
Whether you begin with a 10-minute breathwork session tonight or commit to joining us for the challenge, remember: relaxation isn’t a luxury. It’s a path back to yourself.
See you on the mat, Marine
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About the author
Marine Baaklini, the visionary behind marinebaaklini Yoga, specializes in classes designed to enhance and improve hormonal well-being. Join Marine Baaklini’s Relaxing Yoga Techniques Program to gently introduce a daily yoga practice into your lifestyle.
Additionally, we invite you to book a free private consultation with our naturopathic coach. This one-on-one session is a truly excellent opportunity to have all your questions answered and to learn how to incorporate the right WEIGHT-LOSS strategies into your lifestyle effectively.
