Between being mindful, practicing clean breathing and attending our bi-weekly yoga classes, our attempts at wellness are actually going pretty well in 2018.
But, if your stress levels are still through the roof (trust us, you're not alone) and none of the above are for you, then there's a brand spanking new wellness trend on the block that might just be what you're looking for.
We're talking about Sophrology.
Already widely offered to students in France and Switzerland as a way to acquire life and stress-management skills, and with celeb fans such as Arianna Huffington, Sophrology is big news in the wellness world.
What Is Sophrology?
Although it sounds a little like the weird sub-section of your Science GCSE you conveniently decided to ignore, Sophrology is actually a new way to destress, manage emotions, detach and refocus.
Between maintaining a social life/excelling at work/training for a charity 10K/trying to eat eco-friendly (delete as appropriate), the majority of us feel run down and exhausted all too often. Which is where Sophrology can help.
Developed by neuropsychiatrist Prof Alfonso Caycedo in the 1960s, Sophrology uses mental and physical exercises that combine meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques with gentle movement and visualisation. The aim? To achieve an alert mind in a relaxed body.
As the founder of BeSophro, Dominique Antiglio, puts it, 'If you're feeling stressed, anxious, have difficulty sleeping or are burnt out, just one session of sophrology can help you feel calmer, more in control, relaxed and more able to let go. The more you practise, the more results you get.'
How To Practice Sophrology
As with most mindfulness techniques, you don't need hours of time, a load of intimidating equipment or extortionate amounts of money to practice Sophrology.
You can of course attend formal sessions with Sophrology instructors like Antiglio where one on one work can help you prepare for an upcoming event you're worried about, generally guide you in the right direction if you're less of a DIY mindfulness kind of gal, and even work with you to prepare for birth. If there's something specific you want to work on, then these are for you.
Dominique's BeSophro sessions take place at 58 South Molton Street with open group sessions from £30 and individual classes from £120 (Skype sessions are available as well).
Alternatively, Sophrology is most definitely something you can practice day to day in your own time, with your own schedule and direction.
An example of an effective Sophrology exercise is to to close your eyes, breathe in, and hold your breath for a few seconds while tensing up all the muscles in your body. Then, as you exhale, release all the muscles and let go, allowing the body and mind to slow down.
With a recent study by Kent Business School finding that Sophrology had a positive impact on employees' physical and mental health, it might just be the solution to your everyday stress busting.
