The importance of relaxation

Today (August 15^th) marks International Relaxation Day – so we asked the parents in our peer support group, as well as our staff, to share with us some pictures of them relaxing. We’ve posted a selection of the photos over on our social media pages, so do check them out!

We also wanted to use the opportunity to explore the topic of relaxation here on the blog. That’s because we know parents experiencing CPA are sadly likely to feel stressed, overwhelmed and have little time for themselves, on top of feeling the normal so-called ‘parent guilt’ associated with relaxing or enjoying hobbies once you’ve had children.

And we also know that professionals working with these families – whether it’s our own PEGS staff or the social workers, doctors and nurses, teachers, charity leads or any other professionals whose work relates to CPA – may need to take a moment or two out of their busy schedule too!

What is Relaxation Day?

Relaxation Day was founded in the USA in 1985 and was actually the idea of a nine-year-old boy from Michigan! The premise is taking time out of the day to relax, or even learning a new relaxation technique. It’s gained popularity over the years and, with widespread use of the internet these days, it’s now a globally-recognised awareness day.

Relaxation Techniques

There are many different types of relaxation techniques, with some of the most popular being yoga, meditation and mindfulness. In fact, there are so many it would be impossible to cover all of them here. But what’s clear is that, if you find one which works for you, it can be incredibly useful for your mental health and emotional wellbeing, as well as your physical health too.

Put simply, the ‘stress response’ when hormones are released because you’re experiencing a stressful situation raises your blood pressure and your heart rate. Relaxation techniques do the exact opposite, as well as reducing tension in your muscles, releasing chemicals that reduce pain (which can help for those with chronic pain), and even supporting positive digestion.

If you’re looking for inspiration for new techniques, then the International Relaxation Day website has a wealth of resources.

Other good sources of information are Health Guide, Mind, and the NHS.

Other ways to relax

The good news is you don’t necessarily have to roll out the yoga mat or spend hours each day practising deep breathing – most techniques can be mastered with regular practice of just a few minutes each day.

There are also lots of other activities and hobbies which can be a go-to to help you relax. Here are some of the top ideas our PEGS parents and staff came up with:

Reading
Gardening
Walking the dog
Cuddling the cat
Cross-stitch
Painting
Spending time in nature
Taking a stroll
Watching the sun rise or set

If you’d like to check out the pictures, head to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or X!

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Allen Lane Foundation Supports New Workshop Lead Role to Expand Support for Parents

By PEGS Admin • March 18, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the Allen Lane Foundation has generously funded a new Workshop Lead role to coordinate and deliver online workshops for parents and carers affected by Child-to-Parent Abuse (CPA) over the next 12 months. Parents and carers affected by CPA are often isolated, unsupported, and unsure where to turn. Our 2024 survey shows that 96% of parents feel isolated, 94% stressed, 92% scared, and 100% report an impact on emotional wellbeing. Over 70% have had to reduce or leave work. With demand for support rising to over 450 referrals per month and a 116% increase in November 2025 there is an urgent need for structured, accessible help. Expanding Online Workshops and 1:1 Support The new Workshop Lead will deliver a weekly online workshop for up to 15 participants, covering practical and emotional wellbeing topics such as stress management, goal-setting, and specialist techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Alongside the weekly sessions, the project will also run: Bi-monthly two-part specialist workshops Monthly wellbeing workshops By taking the lead on workshop delivery, the Workshop Lead will free up our practitioner team to provide more personalised one-to-one support to high-risk parents, reaching an additional estimated 50 parents in need. Over 12 months, we anticipate that over 200 parents will benefit directly from group workshops, gaining tools to manage risk, improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and build confidence. The workshops will also create a safe space for peer connection, helping to reduce isolation and foster resilience. Measuring Impact We will track success through attendance figures, participant feedback, and pre- and post-workshop surveys to capture changes in confidence, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Practitioners will also monitor the effect of increased one-to-one support to ensure parents feel safer, supported, and better able to manage their situation. Michelle John, our founding director, says: "Allen Lane Foundation’s continued support enables us to reach more parents and provide the practical guidance and personal support they urgently need. This Workshop Lead role will make a real difference, helping parents feel safer, more confident, and connected, while allowing our practitioners to provide targeted one-to-one support where it’s needed most." We are incredibly grateful to the Allen Lane Foundation for their ongoing belief in our work. This funding allows us to expand our online support, reach more parents, and provide both group and personalised assistance for those affected by CPA.