So I am THE WORST at relaxing. I know a lot of you can relate to that. You sit down with every intention of relaxing, but then you think of all the things you could be doing, or should be doing. But we all NEED to relax. It’s important to our mental health to take time to just be. So I am sharing 10 ways to relax or 10 things you can do to relax!
10 Ways To Relax
Watch a movie: One of my favorite ways to relax is to curl up on the couch and watch a good ole fashioned chick flick! Personal favorites are: Up In The Air, Home Again, 27 Dresses, Something Borrowed, Bride Wars, Friends With Kids, and 500 Days Of Summer.
Read a book: I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read. I have tons of suggestions here if you ever need a good book.
Do a face mask: Need some suggestions for good ones? Go here.
Spend time outside: I love to go have patio drinks or coffee with friends. It’s so relaxing to sit outside and chat.
Go for a walk: Who doesn’t love some fresh air? It always helps me relax. A slow leisurely walk is so nice.
Have a glass of wine/cup of coffee: I’m a fan of a good glass of wine after a long day. Once the kids are down for the night I love relaxing with a glass of wine and a good TV show or book. I find having my morning coffee alone (rare) to be very relaxing as well.
Take a bubble bath: I wish I was more of a bath person, but I know so many people find them relaxing.
Journal: If you have a lot going on in your head and need to relax, try journaling!
Meditate: Huge fan of meditating. Peloton has amazing meditations and so does Headspace!
Bake: I personally find baking relaxing. Especially if it’s a new fun recipe!
What is something you do to relax?
This was originally posted in 2018 but has been updated for 2024.
I’m the same, Neely – I’m so bad at relaxing! I feel so guilty if I’m not up-and-about and hustling. These are great tips! I love journalling and it’s something I do daily. I’m a writer at heart so it really relaxes me when I scribble out my thoughts on paper. 🙂
My big problem with relaxing is that when I’m trying to relax I always managed to drag along my phone or computer. I need to stop that! Thanks for the tips Neely!
Are we the same person?! These are pretty much my ways to relax, as well! Although, I would probably add gardening to the list.
It can be so easy to forget to simply relax when there are, what feels like, a million things that need to get done. Your post is a great reminder to take some time for ourselves!
I am actually pretty good about relaxing. My husband is NOT. In fact, he makes it hard for me to relax. For example, I spent yesterday in the hospital waiting for my father to have surgery. It was a LONG day. When I got home, I was absolutely exhausted. I just wanted to chill out. My husband, on the other hand, can’t sit still. Decided that was the time to clean the house, move furniture, and make an exhausting list of things “we” (meaning me) need to do tomorrow. I was ready to lose it. lol
I’ve been meaning to try Headspace. Thanks for the reminder. This time of year I love gardening to relax – and reading outside with a glass of wine or cup of tea 🙂
I’m so bad at taking time to relax and unwind, even though I know that it’s a crucial part of living a well balanced life. I think if I started doing a face mask regularly and picking up a good book then I would actually take some time for myself! Thanks for the great suggestions!
Great tips. I like to write everything down in a big to do list before I go to bed and that gets everything off my mind and am able to relax and sleep better.
Riding my bike relaxes me. Though after a few kms and my legs are burning it’s not so relaxing anymore lol! That’s when a nice little picnic comes in handy.
Love your suggestion to do a face mask! I purchased one months ago with the intention of relaxing, but it never happened. Thanks for this great insight ,;
I love getting outside. Whenever I’m needing to get out and/or up and moving, I always opt to either go for a jog or take the little one to the park. It’s our favorite part of our day.
I’m not very good at relax recently, I think I don’t have a weekend in the past few weeks. I often watch fun TV shows or movies before in weekend, or treat myself somethings I like. I think I would spend some time for myself this weekend.
I try to incorporate all of these into my week. Doing just one of these tasks a day can really transform your day. It’s amazing what a little self-care can do.
I have guilt feelings when I sit down and grab a book to read. It seems like the only time I allow myself to relax is when everything in the house is in order. I guess I should make some changes and take care of myself more.
I’m right there with you – I have the hardest time relaxing and not focusing on my to do list. I had no idea pelaton also had meditations – that’s so cool!
Lee
Reading or watching something are my favorite ways to relax. Usually, it’s with a glass of wine in the evening. But I really love the rare occasion when I can relax with coffee and a book in the morning (without waking up early to do it)
I’m the same, Neely – I’m so bad at relaxing! I feel so guilty if I’m not up-and-about and hustling. These are great tips! I love journalling and it’s something I do daily. I’m a writer at heart so it really relaxes me when I scribble out my thoughts on paper. 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I haven’t baked anything in ages and forgot how relaxing it is – must try that soon x
http://www.franklyflawless.com
My big problem with relaxing is that when I’m trying to relax I always managed to drag along my phone or computer. I need to stop that! Thanks for the tips Neely!
Are we the same person?! These are pretty much my ways to relax, as well! Although, I would probably add gardening to the list.
It can be so easy to forget to simply relax when there are, what feels like, a million things that need to get done. Your post is a great reminder to take some time for ourselves!
I am actually pretty good about relaxing. My husband is NOT. In fact, he makes it hard for me to relax. For example, I spent yesterday in the hospital waiting for my father to have surgery. It was a LONG day. When I got home, I was absolutely exhausted. I just wanted to chill out. My husband, on the other hand, can’t sit still. Decided that was the time to clean the house, move furniture, and make an exhausting list of things “we” (meaning me) need to do tomorrow. I was ready to lose it. lol
I’ve been meaning to try Headspace. Thanks for the reminder. This time of year I love gardening to relax – and reading outside with a glass of wine or cup of tea 🙂
I read, crochet and garden. They all help me relax. We get so busy we forget to find some time for ourselves.
I’m so bad at taking time to relax and unwind, even though I know that it’s a crucial part of living a well balanced life. I think if I started doing a face mask regularly and picking up a good book then I would actually take some time for myself! Thanks for the great suggestions!
Moving my body, especially yoga, a run, or a walk outside is the perfect way for me to relax.
I love reading – a book, magazine, whatever. It’s almost always relaxing.
-Lauren
I love this so much! Sharing with my network. We all need to learn to relax more.
Love having a cup of coffee as a quick way to relax when I don’t have time for the rest of the things on this list, like a long bubble bath!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
Great tips. I like to write everything down in a big to do list before I go to bed and that gets everything off my mind and am able to relax and sleep better.
Loving your 10 ways to relax. They are all lovely ideas, that I am going to take advantage of!
I love eating my self made cookies with coffee. Lovely post.
Riding my bike relaxes me. Though after a few kms and my legs are burning it’s not so relaxing anymore lol! That’s when a nice little picnic comes in handy.
Great tips! I need to learn to relax more effectively. Reading is definitely relaxing.
I’m so glad you mentioned “bake” because that’s my go to and I feel like most people find it stressful. Thank you for this list!!
Love all of these, though I’m not much of a bath person either. A walk and or a good book sounds like the perfect end to an evening!
Love your suggestion to do a face mask! I purchased one months ago with the intention of relaxing, but it never happened. Thanks for this great insight ,;
I love cooking with a glass of wine. It’s so relaxing!
I love getting outside. Whenever I’m needing to get out and/or up and moving, I always opt to either go for a jog or take the little one to the park. It’s our favorite part of our day.
Reading is my go-to for relaxation. I can’t multitask with it so it really leaves me feeling rejuvenated.
Awesome tips! I’d like to use some face masks. I heard Korean ones are popular here in Asia.
I’m not very good at relax recently, I think I don’t have a weekend in the past few weeks. I often watch fun TV shows or movies before in weekend, or treat myself somethings I like. I think I would spend some time for myself this weekend.
For me, I find it best to put on a pair of headphones and surround myself in music. I’m able to shut out the world that way!
I try to incorporate all of these into my week. Doing just one of these tasks a day can really transform your day. It’s amazing what a little self-care can do.
This is a fantastic list! I have such a hard time relaxing too.
I have guilt feelings when I sit down and grab a book to read. It seems like the only time I allow myself to relax is when everything in the house is in order. I guess I should make some changes and take care of myself more.
I actually find it very hard to relax. My husband always makes fun of me saying I can’t sit still.
Great suggestions! I think I will do a facemask tonight!
I love journaling! It helps me keep my sanity. Writing is therapeutic and it does relieve me of stress. I want to try meditation too.
I’m right there with you – I have the hardest time relaxing and not focusing on my to do list. I had no idea pelaton also had meditations – that’s so cool!
Lee
Reading or watching something are my favorite ways to relax. Usually, it’s with a glass of wine in the evening. But I really love the rare occasion when I can relax with coffee and a book in the morning (without waking up early to do it)