3 Ways to Celebrate National Relaxation Day in the Comfort of Your Own Backyard.

Relaxation Day is coming around the corner and what better place to celebrate that day than the comfort of your own back yard. Everyone loves a relaxing staycation and here are some ways to celebrate this auspicious day with a staycation of your own.

1. Make Your Own Backyard Movie Screen:

What's more relaxing than sitting down and watching your favorite movies and shows with the family? With this simple set up, and the help of a compatible portable projector, you can relax with the fam and watch your favorite shows or movies in the comfort of your own backyard. A DIY projector screen is also a fun craft you can have the whole family help create!

What you'll need:
• 2 Planters
• 2 PVC Pipes
• 2 Wooden rods
• Glue Gun
• Duct Tape
• Scissors
• 2 Screw Hooks
• Cement Mix
• Decorative Pebbles
• White Sheet
• Iron

What you'll have to do:
1. Fill Planters about 2/3 of the way with cement mix

2. Place wood rods in the center of each planter and use duct tape to secure them in place

3. Add water to the cement mix and let set for several hours until it is hardened

4. Insert one PVC pipe into the top fold of your sheet

5. Glue second pipe

a. Take your second PVC pipe and lay it on the bottom of your sheet to measure enough sheet to cover the pipe
b. Cover the pipe with just enough sheet to make a sleeve
c. Use your hot glue gun to attach the bottom of your sheet to the PVC pipe. The bottom pipe will help weigh the sheet and make your movie screen tight.

6. Iron your movie screen so all of the wrinkles are gone 7. Insert screw hooks close to the top of your wooden rods to hold the top of your screen

8. Insert both ends of your top pipe into the screw hooks and lower your screen

9. Add pebbles to your planters to cover the concrete

10. Sit back relax and watch a movie!

Directions and Photo courtesy of https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/how-to-make-an-easy-diy-outdoor-movie-screen

2. Morning Yoga:

One relaxing way to start your day is with a soothing morning yoga routine that can make you feel refreshed, healthy, and ready for a more relaxing day to come. A nice yoga routine in front of a Cambridge waterfall can add an extra soothing ambience to your practice. Some options are the rectangular, round, and double spout waterfalls that come in many different color lighting options! Here's a step by step workout to help start your day.

What you'll need:
• Yoga Mat
• Comfortable clothing

Workout:
Remember to take your time and focus on your breathing. Make sure to stay mindful and if you have the time, doing each pose more than once is recommended

1. Standing Cat Stretch
Lower into a squat with the hands on the thighs, back arched. Exhale and pull the abs in and round the back up towards the ceiling. Inhale and lower back to start, repeating 15 times.

2. Sun Salutation
Begin in a standing position and inhale as you sweep the arms up and overhead. Exhale and engage the abs as you tip from the hips and lower into a Forward Bend, with hands on the floor or feet--bend the knees if you need to. Inhale and come up until the back is flat and exhale into forward bend. Inhale and come back up, sweeping the arms overhead until palms touch. Repeat the series 4 to 8 times.

3. The Hanging Back Stretch
Sweep the arms up and overhead, then exhale and lower into a forward bend, bending the knees if you need to. Grab onto either elbow with both hands and gently hang, slowly allowing your back to release and stretch. Try and straighten the legs a bit if you can to stretch the hamstrings. Hold for 5-8 breaths.

4. Warrior 1
Step forward with the right foot into a lunge, keeping the back leg straight and the left toes pointed out at about 45-degrees, heel down on the floor. Keep the right knee directly above the ankle and the hips squared to the front. Sweep the arms up and overhead and look up as you slide the shoulders down and away from the ears. Stretch and hold for 3-5 breaths.

5. Warrior 2
From Warrior I, turn the body to the left while bringing the arms down to the front and back and parallel to the floor. Gaze out over the right hand while keeping the front knee bent and the shoulders relaxed. Reach out through your fingertips, relax the shoulders and hold for 3-5 breaths. Remember to do both Warriors working both sides of the body

6. Modified Triangle
From Warrior II, take the right arm down and rest the forearm on the right thigh. Take the left hand straight up to the sky, fingers spread and the arm directly over the shoulder. Look up at the left hand and hold for 3-5 breaths.

7. Spine Twist
While lying face up on the mat, bend the right leg and place the right foot on the left knee. Slowly twist to the left while taking the right hand straight out on the floor, the left hand gently pressing on the right knee. Relax into the stretch and feel it in your lower back and hips. Hold for 15-30 seconds and repeat on the other side.

8. Corpse Pose
Lie on your back with legs and arms out from the body. Let your feet flop out and relax your fingers. Close your eyes and relax the muscles round each eye as you breathe deeply. Starting at your feet, consciously relax each part of your body, letting all your tension go as you breathe. Stay here as long as you can.

Instructions courtesy of: https://www.verywellfit.com/morning-and-evening-yoga-1231647

3. Making Sleepy-Time Tea

Having a warm cup of Sleepy Time Tea is a great way to transition to a peaceful rest at the end of your relaxation day. Here's a simple recipe to making your own Sleepy Time Tea you can drink as you end your day by your Cambridge firepit with the family which will take your relaxation to the next level!

Materials you need:
• A tea pot
• A mug
• Tea infuser

Ingredients:
• 3 Parts Chamomile
• 2 Parts Peppermint
• 2 Parts Lemon Balm
• 1 Part Lavender and Passionflower
• 1 Part Catnip
• 1/4 Part Valerian Root
• Water

What you need to do:
• Combine and lightly mix herbs in a bowl.
• Boil water on the stove.
• Place 1/2 – 1 tablespoon of tea in a tea infuser.
• Place infuser in the mug, and fill the mug with hot water.
• Let your tea steep for 2-5 minutes before removing the infuser.
• Enjoy your warm cup of tea, and sweet dreams!

Recipe Courtesy of: https://www.craneandcanopy.com/pages/how-to-make-sleepy-time-tea