Modern life is always busy and it can feel like your to-do list is never ending. When you’re not working, there’s washing to be done, food to be cooked and lots of other errands to be getting on with.
It doesn’t take long for the strain to take hold and the burnout to set in. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you take time for yourself to unwind.
We’ve put together five different ways you can make sure you get a good dose of relaxation.
Five ways you can unwind.
- Get out in nature
One of the best ways to relax and slow down is to take a walk outside in nature. It doesn’t matter if you live in a big city, you can go to your local park or gardens. As long as you’re within some form of nature, it doesn’t matter where you are.
The ideal place to be is a forest. In a lot of different cultures, our connection to nature is of vital importance. The Japanese have a tradition called shinrin yoku which literally translates to ‘forest bath’ and is seen as a kind of eco therapy.
The idea is that you have a mindful walk in the forest, concentrating on the nature around you. That means, no headphones and no other distractions. Focussing on the forest can ground you and give you a sense of peace.
The Norwegians have a similar idea in their culture but they call it friluftsliv. The literal translation is ‘free air life’ but the idea is that spending time outdoors can improve your mental and physical health.
The next time you feel stressed or down, take a note from the Norwegians and Japanese and visit your local park or forest. You’ll feel more grounded and closer to nature.
- Get in touch with your artistic side
Not all of us are going to be great artists but any kind of arts and crafts activity can help relax you. If you don’t know where to start, why not get a colouring book? Take yourself back to childhood and get stuck in.
If you already have an artistic hobby that you’ve been neglecting, take this as a sign that you need to take it up again. We can often let work and socialising take precedent over our hobbies. But it’s important we take a bit of time for ourselves too and do something we really enjoy.
The beauty of doing something arty or creative is that it keeps your mind firmly set on the task in front of you. You can get fully immersed in your creativity and get out of your own thoughts.
It’s a great way to unwind and you might even discover that you have a talent you didn’t know existed before.
- Play a game
Games are a great way to unwind if you prefer to be a bit more active in your relaxation. Not everyone can sit still and do something slow paced. So, if you prefer things to be a little more upbeat, this is the relaxation method for you.
There are so many different games out there to choose from. You might already be an avid video gamer so playing your favourite game would be the best way to unwind.
Or, if you prefer to make things a bit more interesting, why not indulge in a casino game? That way, you have the fun of gaming, with the added chance of winning some money too.
- Read a good book
Reading is one of the best ways to divert your mind from everyday life. You can dive straight into a different world and experience something new and exciting.
There is a book for everyone to enjoy. Whether you like fantasy fiction or a factual autobiography, you’re bound to find a book you enjoy.
Reading is more beneficial than watching TV or a film as you are more of an active participant. When watching something, it’s easy to let your mind wander elsewhere. Whereas, reading requires your full attention.
Escaping into a book can help you relax and unwind as well as saving your eyes from even more screen time.
- Do some yoga or other exercise
Exercise releases endorphins which are some of the happy chemicals in your brain. It can take a bit of motivation to get going but it’s definitely worth it.
If you don’t feel like doing something super energetic, why not try yoga? It’s a great way to unwind as you focus on your breathing and listening to your body. It is also a great way to improve mobility and flexibility which gets more important as we get older.
There are a multitude of ways to help yourself unwind after a long day (or week!). Whether you prefer playing games or releasing some of your stress in a yoga pose, there’s something for everyone on this list.
