Six ways to switch off and relax

By MO Magazine

October 1, 2022

From virtual gallery-going and art therapy to our Silent Night spa series, here’s how to relax and unwind this holiday season.

With the New Year in view, now’s the time to take stock of what’s worked in our daily routines and make tweaks where unhealthy habits might have formed. The negative impact of smartphones, as well as the expectation to be constantly available, has been well documented, limiting our attentions spans and our ability to be present. Now, more than ever, it’s important to tune out the world and reset every so often, which is why on the second Wednesday in December after 5pm, The Spas at Mandarin Oriental have launched their Silent Night event, an evening of contemplative calm, without chatter or spa music, amidst the frenetic (and noisy) holiday season, alongside themed activities such as reiki and Ayurvedic massage throughout the month.

Here, we reveal six ways that you can soothe your mind, boost wellbeing and find a fresh perspective ahead of 2023.

Settle your senses

How many times has someone extolled the virtues of meditation and mindfulness, only for you to nod along, try it once or twice and never go back? Too often, we work in environments where stress is a badge of honour, with long hours and interminable workloads that often lead to burnout. This December, you can combat these stressors with tailor-made activities within the Silent Night programme, such as a complimentary ‘mindfulness’ facial available as part of the Oriental Essence massage at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai or a singing bowl session on 14 December with Ayurvedic expert Dr Anuradha Mathad at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Dr Anuradha has also launched a series of Samatva Transformative Treatments throughout December, including a 90-minute Marma Point Massage, Abhyanga Massage and guided meditation available from 10-15 December at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London and Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul.

Get arty

Gone are the days when colouring was just for kids. It’s a calming, therapeutic way to tap into your creative side. From wildlife-filled jungles and angular cityscapes to line drawings of Ryan Gosling, there’s a grown-up colouring book out there for everyone. For something more abstract and meditative, download mindful patterns from The Spas at Mandarin Oriental, or enter the fantastical world of fashion with Vogue Colours A to Z: A Fashion Colouring Book.

Listen up

In need of some escapism? Tune into a storytelling session. Naturally, the best tales come with a twist – such as The Wish, written by British Vogue’s former editor-in-chief, Alexandra Shulman during a sojourn at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris. Next, check out The Writer’s Voice, where the New Yorker’s starriest contributors read their own short fiction (think Salman Rushdie, Zadie Smith and co). Finally, you’ll find some familiar voices at NPR’s acclaimed Selected Shorts, with A-listers including David Schwimmer moonlighting as narrators.

Visit a museum in your pyjamas

Take a whistlestop virtual tour of some of the world’s greatest museums, starting at the magnificent, domed Louvre Abu Dhabi. Its Art from Home strand investigates a series of standout pieces, from paintings by Manet and Mondrian to a kohl-eyed mummy. Meanwhile in London, the British Museum welcomes virtual visitors, with podcasts, 3D models, online exhibitions and none of the usual crowds.

Create a (tiny) garden

Edible plants can thrive in the smallest of spaces. Basil is easily grown from seed on a sunny windowsill, while smaller crops (tomatoes or strawberries, say) will thrive on a sheltered balcony. No access to seeds? No problem. Coriander, cumin, mustard and fennel seeds, rescued from your spice rack, can be lightly covered in damp soil then left to sprout in the sun. For inspiration on a grander scale, explore the National Garden Scheme’s escapist Virtual Visits, where you’ll find more than 190 gardens to visit virtually, from the small and suburban to historic patches once frequented by the likes of Jane Austen and Anne Boleyn.

Get cultural

If you’re craving a cultural hit, catch a must-see production from your sofa. For starters, check out what’s streaming at Shakespeare’s Globe with no need to brave its usual standing-room spots. The National Theatre, meanwhile, is offering short-run screenings of some of its greatest coups, such as Jodie Comer’s scene-stealing turn in Prima Facie. More in the mood for opera? New York Metropolitan Opera offers free live audio streams of its upcoming performances night, including Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Verdi’s Aida.

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