18 Different Ways To Relax

Ways to relax aren’t always super obvious, and we all need to decompress now and again. Whether your stress is due to school, work, or a combination of both, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started with 18 different ways to relax!

1. Breathing

Take a deep breath, and relax. One of the best ways to calm down and maintain a peaceful mindset is to slow down and focus on your breathing. One calming technique to specifically help to decrease stress is by breathing in through your nose, hold for 3 seconds, and exhale slowly. Focusing on your breathing is one of the quickest, easiest, and most efficient ways to relax.

2. Music

There are a bunch of different ways to relax, and what works for me, might not work for you. With that being said, music can be very addicting. I love listening to music in the car for a long drive, during my workout, and so much more. Listening to your favorite music and tuning out from the world can be a huge stress relief!

3. Mani/ Pedi

Who doesn’t love a manicure/ pedicure? Count me in. I absolutely love getting them done, it is like a piece of me died and went to heaven, ha-ha. Of course, we don’t like to drop money on stuff that isn’t a necessity, but a little spoiling ourselves every now and again won’t hurt.

4. Exercise

Everyone has different things they do when they need to relax. Personally, if I’m feeling overwhelmed with school work, (which I do at times), I make time for myself to hit the gym. For instance, if I do school work from 10 AM on, I usually take some time that evening around 5 PM, for me time, to head to the gym or go for a run. There is nothing like runners high!

5. Girls Night

We need to make time for our girls! I mean, come on, there is nothing that beats getting your friends together, watching a movie and bonding, or even getting all dressed up and hittin’ the bar. This is the best way to relax!

6. Journal

For me, I really like writing in a journal. There are a number of different things you can write about, and nobody will see it but you. This can really help you to reflect and relax, writing is very powerful!

7. Shopping

Come on, let’s shop till we drop! When it comes to finding ways to relax, I personally LOVE shopping. Just ask any of my friends. I love to browse stores, order online, try clothes on, or just spending the day at a mall with a friend.

8. Yoga

Come on, grab a yoga mat and take a load off. There are so many amazing yoga classes out there and different stretching exercises. Yoga is designed to slower breathing, lower stress, and promote deep relaxation. Grab a friend and give it a try! Or even go by yourself.

9. Take Advantage

One great way to relax is by taking advantage of your local surroundings. This could mean going for a nature walk in the trails, going for a run on the beach, or just driving to a lake and staring at the scenery. I actually used to do this, I would drive to a remote location with a lake and just sit on the lifeguard stand and look at the water. It is incredibly soothing to connect with your surroundings and really take the time to slow down and appreciate it.

10. Write Everything Down

One sure way to relax is by writing EVERYTHING down. Write down all of your assignment due dates and deadlines, write down your appointment times/ dates, and so on. You can take a large amount of stress off by making sure you write everything down and you stay in the know!

11. Massage

I know this may be pushing it, but we all need a spa day. I went for a massage with a gift card I got for Christmas, and let me tell you ladies (and gents)… it was worth every penny!

12. Warm Bath

Ah, I can feel the warm water and bubbles just thinking about taking a warm bath. For me, if I have a headache, feel nauseous, or have a bad day, taking a warm bath is my go-to. My skin is super sensitive, so I like to use Johnson & Johnson baby wash, and it makes for a gentle but clean smell. I also like to light 1-2 candles to create a full relaxation vibe in the bathroom.

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13. Face Masks

There is something so detoxing and rejuvenating about putting on a face mask, and it only takes 20 minutes on average. Some face masks you can wear longer or shorter, but my favorite are the face masks you wear for about 10 minutes. You can give yourself an at-home facial!

14. Coloring

Coloring books are a great way to relax and unwind. We have them where I work, for when we have downtime, and my sister and I used to get them at Target, and let me tell you they are worth it! There was actually a clinical study that proved that busy work like coloring is soothing to the mind and aids in relaxation.

15. Meditate

Similar to yoga, meditation is a great way to relax, probably one of the best ways. Meditation encourages you to focus on the present, you may have heard the term mindfulness, it works by bringing your attention and focus to the present.

16. Take A Step Back

We’re all human, and we all have bad days. If you didn’t do so well on a homework assignment, let it be. If you skipped going to the gym, fine. Things happen in life beyond our control and while it is important to deal with it, it’s also important to take a step back and give yourself a break every now and again.

17. Stay Positive

I know you have probably heard this so many times, but the phrase holds value. Having a positive attitude is half the battle, and sometimes it really makes a huge difference.

18. Keep Moving Forward

There are plenty of situations that have occurred in my life where I have been mistreated in some way or another, and the best way to relax and be resilient is to KEEP going. We will experience so much in our life that is out of our control, and just remember, the best way to stay relaxed is to stay resilient.