5.3.22 34

10 Ways To Relax

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

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 2022. 

Leave a Comment

34 Comments

  1. 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

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  2. Sabiha wrote:

    I haven’t baked anything in ages and forgot how relaxing it is – must try that soon x

    http://www.franklyflawless.com

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  3. Krysten wrote:

    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!

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  4. Valerie wrote:

    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!

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  5. 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

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  6. Yolanda wrote:

    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 🙂

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  7. Jeanne wrote:

    I read, crochet and garden. They all help me relax. We get so busy we forget to find some time for ourselves.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  8. Courtney wrote:

    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!

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  9. Katie wrote:

    Moving my body, especially yoga, a run, or a walk outside is the perfect way for me to relax.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  10. I love reading – a book, magazine, whatever. It’s almost always relaxing.

    -Lauren

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  11. Lisa Clark wrote:

    I love this so much! Sharing with my network. We all need to learn to relax more.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  12. 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

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  13. Gemma wrote:

    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.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  14. Brandy wrote:

    Loving your 10 ways to relax. They are all lovely ideas, that I am going to take advantage of!

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  15. Kairavi wrote:

    I love eating my self made cookies with coffee. Lovely post.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  16. Joline wrote:

    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.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  17. Wendy wrote:

    Great tips! I need to learn to relax more effectively. Reading is definitely relaxing.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  18. adriana wrote:

    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!!

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  19. 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!

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  20. Merry E Ohler wrote:

    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 ,;

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  21. Alina wrote:

    I love cooking with a glass of wine. It’s so relaxing!

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  22. 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.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  23. Eevi-Sofia wrote:

    Reading is my go-to for relaxation. I can’t multitask with it so it really leaves me feeling rejuvenated.

    Published 5.23.18
    Reply
  24. Awesome tips! I’d like to use some face masks. I heard Korean ones are popular here in Asia.

    Published 5.24.18
    Reply
  25. 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.

    Published 5.24.18
    Reply
  26. Scott wrote:

    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!

    Published 5.24.18
    Reply
  27. Heather wrote:

    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.

    Published 5.24.18
    Reply
  28. Amanda wrote:

    This is a fantastic list! I have such a hard time relaxing too.

    Published 5.24.18
    Reply
  29. Annemarie LeBlanc wrote:

    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.

    Published 5.24.18
    Reply
  30. Becca Wilson wrote:

    I actually find it very hard to relax. My husband always makes fun of me saying I can’t sit still.

    Published 5.24.18
    Reply
  31. Jenny wrote:

    Great suggestions! I think I will do a facemask tonight!

    Published 5.24.18
    Reply
  32. My Teen Guide wrote:

    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.

    Published 5.25.18
    Reply
  33. Lee wrote:

    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

    Published 5.3.22
    Reply
  34. 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)

    Published 5.11.22
    Reply