TOP 50 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO RELAX

Life is full of stressors. Whether it’s work, family, responsibilities or one of many deadlines, there is no shortage of things that wind us tighter than necessary. Lucky for us, there is an equal amount of relaxing remedies. The list below is 50 easy ways to relax and reduce your stress as a result.

1. Soak in the Hot Tub

Nothing says relaxation like soaking in a hot tub with the spa jets massaging your tense muscles. It never fails.

2. Read a Book

By reclining in your favorite chair and reading about a life that is not your own, you’re sure to forget about your troubles for a while.

3. Go Golfing

Whether it’s 9 or 18 holes, a crisp morning on the links by yourself or with a good friend can truly be its own form of therapy.

4. Drink Some Wine

Pick a quiet setting and your favorite bottle of wine and let a little liquid relaxation course through your veins and calm your nerves.

5. Get a Massage

Because tension and stress are literally harbored within your muscles, go to a masseuse and let the magic hands revitalize your body.

6. Watch TV

Sometimes the doctor’s best remedy is brainless television – turn on the tube, put on some pajamas and shamelessly veg out.

7. Lay on the Beach

It doesn’t have to be an exotic beach far away but, if you can find some sand and sun, a day on the beach is a great way to recharge your battery.

8. Take a Vacation

Vacations can be stressful if you’re trying to be everywhere at once; however, if you chose the right spot, it’s easy to leave your stresses at home.

9. Listen to Music

There is nothing more therapeutic than music – put on some headphones, lay down where you please, get lost in the rock n roll and drift away. Beyonce, Blondie, or the Biebster, sometimes belting out the lyrics to a favorite tune makes everything seem all right. If you’re in a public place (that isn’t the opera), just listening to music can be a quick fix for a bad mood . Classical music can be especially relaxing right before bedtime.

10. Lay in the Park

Find a grassy park, throw down a blanket and relax to the sounds of birds chirping and children laughing.

11. Yoga

It’s thousands of years old but its also the newest form of meditation that will help you channel your energy and revitalize your soul.

12. Road Trip

Pick a destination on your Bucket List, put on a mix-tape and hit the open road. As long as you don’t set a timeline, the miles of highway can work wonders.

13. Paint Something

You don’t have to be Picasso but artistic expression can be very therapeutic – let your mind wander and simply paint what you please.

14. Go for a Walk

Take a walk around the block or go for miles on end, regardless it’s some valuable alone time for your thoughts and a low impact kick-start for your body.

15. Put on a Movie

As long as it’s not a suspenseful thriller, putting on a light-hearted movie is a great way to zone out and forget your troubles.

16. Book on Tape

The best of both worlds – the benefit of reading combined with the brainless effort of television – listen to a book and reap all of the relaxing rewards.

17. Go to a Concert

If music is your tonic but headphones aren’t an option, go to a live show and let your soul feed off of the positive sonic energy.

18. Lay in a Hammock

Pick a nice summer day and simply kick it in the backyard hammock – let the breeze rock you back and forth and soak up the serenity.

19. Browse Facebook

Because Facebook is the newest form of mindless entertainment, block off some time and simply snoop around – you just might find your troubles aren’t so bad in comparison.

20. Go Hiking

It doesn’t have to be a colossal display of man vs. nature but a trek through the woods is a great way to release some endorphins and clear your head.

21. Cuddle with Your Lover

There’s no better way to boost your confidence and forget your troubles than cuddling with your lover in the most basic form of sexual healing.

22. Lay Under the Stars

Choose a clear and crisp evening and drive away from the city to marvel in the stars and connect with nature.

23. Go Swimming

Take a dip or take a dive but. Just think of the pool or lake as big hot tubs – the perfect recipe for decompressing relaxation.

24. Steam in the Sauna

If you can stand the heat, the sauna is a great place to cleanse your body, sift through your thoughts and press reset on your stress levels.

25. Write in Your Journal

Many view writing in your journal or blogging as a basic form a therapy – physically writing your thoughts and stresses can ultimately help you understand them and therefore, manage them.

26. Meditate

You may have to read up on proper techniques but the most intense form of relaxation is found through meditation – a spiritual way to fix the physical.

27. Take a Shower

Consider a shower as a baptism of sorts – you may enter with a weight on your shoulders but you’ll no doubt leave as a different person with a lighter load.

28. Curl Up by the Fire

If it’s in the dead of winter and laying out under the stars isn’t an option, find a fireplace, start a fire and curl up in front of the blaze with a hot cup of cocoa. Relaxation is imminent.

29. Enjoy a Nice Meal

It’s called comfort food for a reason but sometimes a nice meal and some hearty calories can take the edge off.

30. Call a Friend

Sometimes a conversation with the people that know you best can be the greatest source of comfort. Call a friend or your family and let them talk you off the ledge. When something’s really bothering you, it can help to share your feelings with a pal. In fact, more talkative folks tend to be happier in general . So vent to a coworker or call a close family member and spill.

31. Walk the Dog

When your friends can’t be reached on the telephone, try spending some quality time with Man’s Best Friend. A simple walk around the block with the dogs can turn your attention to another being, distract you from your own problems and get you some exercise in the process.

32. Go Kayaking

A day on the lake in your own personal pod can be a serene sensation; therefore, kayaking is a great way to enjoy nature’s peacefulness and apply it to your life.

33. Go Shopping

There’s no need to rack up crazy credit card bills but sometimes shopping can be an effective way to curb your stress. Even if you don’t purchase, simply browsing can be therapeutic.

34. Enjoy the Porch Swing

Much like the hammock, a porch swing is another great way to drift in the breeze, enjoy a summer evening and feel like a child again.

35. Browse YouTube

Much like Facebook, YouTube is another avenue for brainless entertainment. Yep, go on a browsing spree and find yourself laughing like never before (and decompressing as a result).

36. Play an Instrument

Granted, if you’re just learning an instrument, it might be a stressful scenario but if you’re decently versed, creating music can be a phenomenal physical and mental release.

37. Cat Nap

If you’re over worked and under-paid, block off an entire Saturday or Sunday to simply lay around and cat nap as you please. Sometimes the best remedy for stress is laziness.

38. Go Camping

Any time you can get away from work, traffic, clocks and responsibilities is the best time to relax. Try a camping retreat in the mountains or woods where your only responsibility is maintaining a fire.

39. Exercise

Yes, exercise is physical exertion but in its healthiest form. Rather than thinking of it as a chore, consider the physical gain and enjoy the rush of endorphins.

40. Count to 10

Sounds elementary but try this technique anytime you just need to slow things down a bit. 10 can actually turn into your happy place.