6 Unique Ways to Relax
6 Unique Ways to Relax
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeIn today’s world of rampant social media, work pressures, and an endless number of stress inducers, it’s always useful to know ways to cope. Mental health is no joke, so taking the time to make sure you can de-stress is of the utmost importance. There are many ways to do this, some of the more popular ones being yoga or other exercise, meditation, and even free online counseling. But if you’re looking for methods of de-stressing that are a little different, here are six unique ways to help relax your mind and body. Try some out and see what works for you!
Drink hot drinks (without caffeine)
Remember when you were a kid and your mom or other adult would you give you a warm glass of milk to help go to bed? Well, that’s not just a trick to get kids to go to sleep. Studies have shown that warm drinks such as hot milk or hot tea help the brain produce serotonin, the chemical responsible for feelings of relaxation and well-being. If you’re feeling stressed at the end of the day, try a cup of hot tea, warm milk, or any other heated drink to ease your mind. Be careful not to drink anything with too much caffeine, though, as caffeine can actually make you feel more stressed!
Calm Your Mind With Sounds
Have you ever slept in on a rainy morning? Ever wondered what was so relaxing about it, that you didn’t want to get out of bed? Part of it was probably the sound of rain. Soft and rhythmic sounds put your brain at ease. Consider investing a sound machine. There are countless options of these machines available on everyone's favorite shopping website Amazon.com. Take a look for yourself to see which one looks good for you. These can produce relaxing sounds from the waves of the ocean to the soft nights in the forest.
Sing
Whether in the shower, in your car, or when you’re alone at home, try singing one of your favorite songs. Don’t worry about being a great singer. Don’t worry about anyone watching. Forget your insecurities and just sing. Creative expression is one of the most primal methods of stress relief. Think of the cave man drawings. Even way back then, humans were finding release through art. Singing is the perfect way to express feelings. It doesn’t cost anything; there’s no setup; and you can do it however you want. Sing loud. Sing soft. Sing your heart out and for that moment forget all that stress.
Cover Yourself
This one may seem obvious, but it’s one of the most overlooked methods of de-stressing out there. It’s simple. Cover yourself with something. If you’re at home, put on a blanket. If you’re at the office, consider putting wearing a light sweater. Psychologically, the feeling of being covered creates a feeling of security. When we were kids, didn’t we used to love snuggling under the blankets? It doesn’t have to be for long, and it doesn’t have to be any particular material. Just cover yourself however you feel comfortable.
Look at Nature
Like number 4, this is one of the more overlooked methods of relaxation, but it’s incredibly effective. Simply look at nature. It doesn’t have to be real nature. You don’t need to be outside or in the mountains. All you have to do is look at photos or other visuals of nature. It can be open, spacious views of mountain tops, or it can be quiet and secluded forests. Have some pictures to hang at your office, or simply reserve five minutes to look up photos on the internet. Even simply looking up photos of nature on Google images for a selected amount of time can help ease your mind.
Relaxing YouTube Videos
The world's most popular video sharing site can be used for more than just cute vat videos. YouTube is full of videos designed to help viewers/listeners relax. From videos of ocean waves to peaceful rivers, these hours-long clips are guaranteed to help you relax and relieve yourself of stress.