International Relaxation Day
Welcome
Welcome to International Relaxation Day which is held annually on the 15th August. A day to relax or choose to learn new relaxation techniques. Or perhaps take some time out in a busy day to relax.
The International Academy for Professional Development Ltd (and its affiliated centres), is a supporter of International Relaxation Day and the conference.
What are relaxation techniques?
Relaxation techniques are methods to help bring about the body’s “relaxation response,” which is characterised by slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. The relaxation response is the opposite of the stress response.
What’s involved for International Relaxation Day?
International Relaxation Day is an opportunity to reflect and share the importance of relaxation and how people, families, organisations and communities can learn about applying relaxation in their daily lives and routines. Social media can be used to share what methods you have found useful to aid relaxation. You can use the hashtags: #InternationalRelaxationDay #InternationalRelaxationDay2025 #Relaxation
Visit the International Relaxation Day website for more information.
If National Relaxation Day is recognised in your country then you can use the hashtag: #NationalRelaxationDay
International Relaxation Day Conference
We support the annual free conference held on International Relaxation Day. Our Directors and consultants often speak at the conference.
International Relaxation Day Online Conference, 15th August 2025
15th August, 2025
Start Time: 20:45 Auckland, NZ; 16:45 Shanghai, China;10:45 CET; 09:45 BST; 04:45 EDT, New York, USA; (NB. 14th August: 22.45 Honolulu)
Location: Virtual, Zoom Conference
Cost: Free event
Welcome to the International Relaxation Day Online Conference, 2025. We have live and pre-recorded presentations from relaxation and stress experts, academics, researchers and practitioners from around the world sharing with us their knowledge about relaxation techniques.
Who is this conference for?
The conference may interest health, counselling, coaching, psychologists, HR and management professionals, and members of the public who may wish to learn more about relaxation techniques and their benefits to health and wellbeing.
Visit the conference website for full details or register on the links below.
QUICK LINKS: PLEASE REGISTER FOR EACH LIVE SESSION YOU WISH TO ATTEND
For the live keynote papers, afterwards, speakers will join attendees in a Zoom Meeting room to discuss their presentations.
09.45-11.15 BST
1. *LIVE* Harnessing Relaxation to Enhance Wellbeing with Prof Stephen Palmer & Dr Siobhain O’Riordan. REGISTER HERE
11.45-12.45 BST
2. *LIVE* Relaxation Club with Prof Stephen Palmer & Dr Siobhain O’Riordan.
REGISTER HERE
13.00-13.30 BST – Premiere
3. +Pre-recorded+ Mindfulness – a trainable dimension of health and wellbeing with Dr Karen E. Neil. VIEW HERE
14.00-14.30 BST – Premiere
4. +Pre-recorded+ Sufi Qawwali Music for Stress Management with Yumna Ali.
VIEW HERE
14.45-14.55 BST – Premiere
5. +Pre-recorded+ Coping creatively and using creativity to cope: How creativity can be applied in meditation and stress management with Dr Qing Wang.
VIEW HERE
15.00-16.15 BST
6. *LIVE* Leadership, self-care and relaxation with Dr. Richard MacKinnon.
REGISTER HERE
16.30-17.00 BST – Premiere
7. +Pre-recorded+ Relaxation for All: Cultivating a Way of Being in Everyday Life with Prof Stephen Palmer PhD.
VIEW HERE
17.45-18.30 BST – Premiere
8. +Pre-recorded+ Mission Impossible? Reclaiming calmness in a highly anxious world, with Judit Varkonyi-Sepp. VIEW HERE
18.30-19.00 BST – Premiere
9. +Pre-recorded+ Relaxing into relational mindfulness with Liz Hall.
VIEW HERE
Conference end 19:00 BST