Left off scratching head and relaxed (5)
I believe the answer is:
eased
'relaxed' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'left off scratching head' is the wordplay.
'left off' becomes 'ceased' (I've seen this in another clue).
'scratching head' means to remove the first letter (the word's head is removed).
'ceased' with its initial letter taken off is 'EASED'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for eased that I've seen before include "Made less difficult, relieved from anxiety" , "Released pressure" , "Slackened off" , "Given relief" , "Died down" .)