If your brain’s still at the beach – read this

September can feel like being thrown into the deep end – full inboxes, forgotten routines and a body that’s somehow both tired and wired.

If you’ve spent the last few weeks hopping time zones, ferrying kids to the beach or simply doing a lot of nothing (but in a good way), re-entry can be rough.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a complete overhaul to feel like yourself again. Just some intentional shifts in focus, movement and rest.

1. Reset your nervous system

Think of your body like a browser with too many tabs open – a few weeks of overstimulation and disrupted sleep, and it’s no wonder your focus is fried. What helps? Downshifting into your parasympathetic (aka rest-and-digest) mode.

That’s when your body can regulate, repair and re-centre. You can encourage this with:

A 60-minute relaxing massage

Light pressure, long strokes and slow breathing help ease the nervous system into calm mode.

A daily wind-down ritual

Try switching off screens 30 mins/an hour before bed, dimming the lights and doing a few gentle stretches.

Deep breathing

Research shows that breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety and cortisol levels in just five minutes.

2. Rebuild structure – without burning out

Going from a loose summer schedule back to a 9-5 can feel like a shock to the system. Start by anchoring your day with small, repeatable rituals that help your brain feel safe and settled.

Try:

• A short morning walk with your phone on airplane mode

• A 10-minute journaling session to clear mental clutter

• A weekly massage booked at the same time each week – so it becomes part of your rhythm, not a luxury

Read more: How our team avoids burnout

3. Undo the physical effects of summer

Summer’s not always kind to your body. Whether it’s long-haul travel, uncomfortable hotel pillows or one too many late-nights, tension builds up in places you don’t always expect.

Common complaints we see in September:

• Lower back pain from long drives or flights

• Foot and ankle fatigue from unsupportive sandals

• Shoulder/neck tension from sleeping in strange beds or carrying luggage

• General sluggishness from disrupted sleep or dehydration

How to make it stick

1. Start with one thing

You don’t need a five-step routine. Choose one thing that helps you feel more grounded – and repeat it. That could be a weekly massage, a Sunday meal prep session or 10 minutes of yoga each morning.

2. Stack it, don’t force it

September has that “fresh start” energy, like January – a natural moment to add something new to your routine. But instead of diving headfirst into big changes, start small by habit stacking.

Coined by James Clear in his book Atomic Habits, habit stacking is a simple, science-backed way to build better routines without burning out.

The idea is to attach your new habit to something you already do, so it becomes part of your day without requiring extra willpower.

Try it like this:

• After I make my morning coffee, I’ll stretch for 2 minutes

• After I finish work on Monday, I’ll book my weekly massage

• After I brush my teeth, I’ll journal one sentence

By linking your new habit to an existing one, it’s easier to remember – and easier to repeat. Over time, it becomes automatic.

3. Let your rest be regular

The people who feel the most productive aren’t doing more – they’re resting better. Just one hour a week of focused recovery can improve your sleep, mental state and focus.

Read more about the productivity of rest – and how one hour can make a difference to your whole day.

Treatments to support your September reset

You don’t need to push through it. These treatments are specifically designed to help:

Reflexology

Best for: Total body rebalance

Reflexology focuses on pressure points in the feet to restore balance, ease stress and support overall wellbeing.

Especially powerful if you’ve been feeling “off” since returning from holiday – it supports your body’s natural rebalancing process.

Book reflexology

Deep tissue massage

Best for: Tight shoulders, aching legs and post-travel pain

A deep tissue massage goes beyond surface-level relaxation. Your therapist will use slow, firm strokes to target deeper layers of muscle and fascia – perfect for releasing knots after a long summer of travel or activity.

Expect relief from:

• Neck and shoulder tension

• Lower back tightness

• Calf/hamstring strain

Book deep tissue massage

Energising massage

Best for: Jet lag, sluggishness or a focus boost

For when sleep didn’t cut it, book an energising massage. With fast-paced, rhythmic strokes, your therapist gets your blood moving, boosts oxygen flow and leaves you feeling refreshed – not snoozy.

It stimulates your nervous system without overloading it – helping to clear brain fog and put a spring back in your step.

Ideal if:

• You’ve just stepped off a long-haul flight

• You’re hitting the 3pm slump

• You want to feel alert before a busy day

Book energising massage

Express massage

Best for: Busy schedules

You might not have a full hour – but that shouldn’t stop you. An express massage targets 1-2 key areas (like your neck and shoulders, or lower back and legs) in just 45 minutes.

Feel the difference without having to clear your diary.

Perfect for:

• A quick reset between meetings

• Last-minute prep before an event

Book express massage

Book your hour

Summer’s been full-on – which makes now the perfect moment to pause, before things get busy again.

Whether it’s a calming massage, a quiet moment with your feet up or a routine that actually sticks, let September be the month you look after your body and your brain. Get there before burnout has a chance to creep in.

Book your September treatment