After a hectic day, having a cozy routine helps relieve tension. You may look forward to brewing a pot of tea or sitting by the fireplace with a new book. Every person is unique, so we all have our favorite hobbies that help us unwind. It’s important to find reliable ways to relax. Read on for helpful tipsĀ on how to slow down and relax when you’re stressed!
For me, writing and music both help calm my mind during times of stress. I look forward to evenings at home, working on my blog and playing a new album. That’s when I feel the calmest. The other day, my anxiety was pretty noticeable. I was experiencing nausea, a fast heartbeat, and dizziness. We were out to dinner and I had to step outside to cool off.
After dinner, I relaxed by drafting a blog post. I was also super excited to listen to my new Spotify recommendations. The music fit the setting well because it was raining that day. Despite my moment of panic earlier, IĀ felt much better!
If you’re feeling stressed right now, here are 78 simple ways to relax and slow down. Also, don’t forget to ask yourself if you can implement any of these ideas into your daily self-care routine! š
How to Slow Down and Relax
1. Listen to a relaxing podcast you enjoy.
Lately, I’ve been lovingĀ podcasts! They’re so helpful and calming — especially if you’re dealing with anxious thoughts. I have a post that I wrote about some motivational podcasts you can listen to for inspiration. For example, I’m a fan of Happiness Spells, TED Talks Daily, and Ear Biscuits.Ā These are a few suggestions, but check out the post for even more!
2. Download helpful anxiety apps.
I recommend Calm, Headspace, and Happify. The apps offer features like guided meditations, calming bedtime stories, and other ways to relax! āļø
3. Grab a bowl of popcorn & watch vlogs on YouTube.
If I’m feeling anxious, I really enjoy watching my comfort Youtubers. Some examples are The Try Guys, AJay, andĀ Mia Maples. Mia just uploaded a vlog where she renovated her grandparents’ house and it was so sweet! šš
4. Take a hot shower or run a bubble bath.
What better way to relax your body and mind?
5. Plan out your week in an agenda.
This is a must for me, especially during busier weeks.
6. Make a yummy smoothie bowl.
Smoothie bowls are both healthy and delicious.
Here are just a few tasty recipes you can enjoy!
7. Complete an anxiety workbook.
It’s beneficial to actively reflect upon your stressors and anxious thoughts. Try picking up an anxiety workbook with interactive exercises and worksheets. I’ve been slowly working through Dr. Bourne’s book and love his practical and simple self care tips. He breaks everything down well and offers various ways to relax!
āThe Anxiety & Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne, PhD
8. Look out for constellations in the sky.
SkyView is a great app for stargazing!
9. Snuggle up with a comfy throw blanket.
Such a comforting thing to do after a long day!
10. Organize your clothes, makeup & accessories.
Studies show that organizing helps to relieve stress.
11. Go grocery shopping & pick up a houseplant.
I love picking up succulents at the grocery store. Snake plants are another awesome option for beginners!
12. Sort through your inbox.
Delete emails you don’t need anymore (digital clutter).
13. Make a helpful to-do list!
What things do you need to prioritize at the moment?
14. Follow inspiring self care, wellness & mental health blogs.
These type of blogs may help give you some useful tips to relax. I’m personally enjoying The Blissful Mind and Glossy Belle right now!
15. Turn off your phone and play classic board games. š²
My favorite board games are Life and Sorry! They’re low-stakes and fun.
16. Have breakfast in bed! š„
Go ahead and pamper yourself.
17. Build a house on The Sims.
On The Sims, you can personalize your characters, build a home, and explore. One of the funnest ways to relax after a long day! š®
18. Bake a festive treat for your friends.
Already picturing the comforting scent of apple cinnamon bread baking in the oven! š
It’s autumn right now as I’m writing this, so here are some good recipes:
19. Visit a local flower shop.
The perfect activity for spring.
20. Daydream! āļøāļø
As an introvert, I approve.
21. Enjoy a piece of dark chocolate.
Did you know that studies show chocolate reduces stress? Another reason to enjoy a delicious Dove chocolate bar! š«
22. Take a nap.
You deserve to rest.
23. Create a morning & nighttime self care routine.
Figure out what helps to relieve your stress depending on the time of day.
Perhaps it’s journaling in the mornings or having a cup of chamomile before bed.
24. Join a supportive Facebook group for anxiety & stress.
It’s nice to talk to someone who understands your situation. Anxious Lass recently wrote an amazing post, featuring various mental health Facebook groups! āØļø
25. Hug your loved ones.
There’s nothing like a warm hug from someone you love.
26. Declutter your mind with a brain dump.
Check out my post on the topic that comes with a helpful worksheet!
27. Compliment yourself for accomplishments.
28. Sit outside and get some fresh air.
Sometimes, we just need to spend time in nature.
29. Take a few slow, deep breaths.
Practicing calming breathing techniques can help lessen anxiety and stress. These breathing exercises for anxiety are useful! š
30. Start a diary.
Writing is a wonderful way to de-stress and express yourself. If you’re wondering how to slow down and relax after a stressful day, consider starting a diary for self-reflection!
31. Reframe any negative thoughts.
A great way to do this is by reciting positive affirmations. You can also ask yourself a few self discovery and personal growth questions to better understand your current feelings!
32. Sit by the fireplace and read a good book.
As a book lover, I have plenty of suggestions for you!
33. Do a five minute mindfulness exercise.
Try out any of these seven mindfulness exercises that are calming and simple!
34. Have a feel-good movie marathon.
Watch an adorably cheesy movie that makes you smile! š§
May I suggest The Princess Bride?
For more movie night ideas, check out the Best Romantic Comedies of All Time! š
35. Open your window and enjoy the cool breeze.
Fresh air always helps.
36. Drink a yummy cup of hot chocolate! ā
The best beverage on a cold night.
37. Follow a yoga class on Youtube!
Here’s a good one you can try at home!
38. Do a creative hobby — knit, paint, color, or work on a scrapbook! šØ
These hobbies will help restore your energy.
39. Light a calming candle.
Spend an evening at home and light a candle with your favorite scent. Yankee Candles always make your home smell lovely. They’re my go-to for candles! š
40. Squeeze a stress ball.
It will help with tension!
41. Start a beautiful garden.
If you don’t have a backyard, try an indoor garden!
42. Allow yourself to take a break for the day.
We all need downtime sometimes.
43. Go window shopping at Marshalls!
There’s just something relaxing about browsing through Marshalls. They have the best accessories!
44. Create a dreamy mood board.
Make a collage of photos and words that inspire you! āØ
45. Stay hydrated.
I can be forgetful when it comes to drinking enough water, but it’s extremely important. Here’s your reminder to drink water!
46. Have a picnic at the park!
Lovely views and delicious food.
47. Spend the day with your best friend.
Watch your favorite show together!
48. Work near a window.
Any way to get more vitamin D!
49. Cross off a couple of chores on your cleaning checklist.
Maybe it’s washing the dishes or folding laundry.
50. Treat yourself to a little gift from your fave Etsy shop!
Right now, I’m loving these dainty pineapple earrings and personalized floral journals! š
51. Drive to the beach before sunset.
Check out the waves!
52. Make an anti-stress playlist filled with calming songs.
One of the best ways to relax after a long day is to listen to music. I’ve created an anti-stress playlist with 95 of my favorite relaxing songs! š¶
53. Spend an afternoon at a cute coffee shop.
An iced oat milk latte can’t fix everything, but it sure helps.
54. Order pizza and watch nostalgic sitcoms.
There are so many hilarious sitcoms you can start watching like Abbott Elementary, Modern Family, andĀ Reba. Growing up, my family and I used to watch sitcoms together all the time and it always lifted my spirits! š
55. See a play at your local theatre.
I’d love to watch Wicked live one day!
56. Do a fun DIY project!
Here are a couple of cute options.
57. Have a soothing cup of tea.
I recommend peach ginger turmeric tea. It’s delicious!
58. Exercise for 20 minutes.
Slow down and relax with a leisurely walk.
59. Search for funny quizzes online.Ā
Something like: “Which The Office Character Are You?“
60. Invest in a light therapy lamp.
During the fall and winter seasons, you may feel down or anxious. Many people struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Although scientists don’t know an exact cause, they believe one factor is a lack of sunlight. In this case, a light therapy lamp can help boost your mood and fight the winter blues. On Amazon, Fitfirst’s light therapy lamp had so many positive reviews!
61. Try out a self care subscription box.
I really want to try out the Go Love Yourself subscription box, because it features wellness items like a self care book, candles, and much more!š
62. Redecorate or rearrange a room in your home.
It’s good to change things up!
63. Wear your go-to comfiest flannel.
These are some comfy outfit ideas.
64. Eat dinner by candlelight at your favorite restaurant.
Low lighting is fancy and cozy.
65. Try essential oils for relaxation.
I’m a fan of Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy collection.
66. Write down an action plan for your biggest goals.
Start small…it’s okay to take baby steps!
67. Unwind with a weekend staycation.
Make your place feel like a hotel and have a relaxing spa day at home.
68. Add some superfoods for stress relief to your diet.
These are a few examples!
69. Try a grounding technique, like the 5,4,3,2,1 method.
Grounding techniques lessen anxiety by refocusing your attention onto your surroundings.
If you’re asking yourself how to slow down and relax quickly, try the 5,4,3,2,1 method!
First name five things you see around you. Next, name four things you can feel, three things you can hear, and two things you can smell. Finally, finish the exercise by saying one positive affirmation or giving yourself a compliment!
70. Snap a picture of something beautiful.
Like sunflowers or a rainbow!
71. Decorate your place with cozy furniture & encouraging art.
For a unique touch, try purchasing from small artists locally or on Etsy!
72. Start a 30 days of self care challenge.
I made one on the blog!
73. Go to a local event, like a carnival or Comic-Con!
They’re a lot of fun!
74. Add pretty fairy lights to your room!
Warm lighting makes you feel instantly more relaxed. These curtain fairy lights from Etsy are really cute! āØ
75. Listen to nature sounds, like ocean waves or rain.
I like to hear the sound of gentle rain falling while listening to music. This is personally how I slow down and relax. Music sounds even prettier with rain as the background sound! āļø
76. Pamper yourself with a homemade sugar scrub!
This one is made with cooling coconut oil.
77. Think of little ways you can invest in yourself.
You can try out these simple tips!
78. Spray a pillow mist before bed.
B&BW has several options!
I hope that you enjoyed this post, everyone! Have a wonderful rest of your day! x
How do you find ways to slow down and relax? Were any of them on this list?
Great post, Nunzia! I totally need this this week! I personally really like to clean and organise everything in my house when I feel stressed, only after that I feel more relaxed and I finally manage to slow down a bit!
Thank you so much, Caroline!! šA tidy space just makes everything so much more relaxing! I always seem to have to do a little bit of tidying up after work before I can really sit down & enjoy hanging out at home lol! Thanks again for reading, hon! x
I love your anti stress playlist! We have very similar tastes š Watching classic sitcoms is one of my favourite ways to destress – I love Frasier, Friends and Scrubs to name a few! Lighting a candle always helps me too, I find just watching the flame flickering and the wax pooling quite calming – I especially love a Yankee Candle, Pink Sands is one of my favourites! Great tips, thanks for sharing š xx
Thank you so much girl!! š I love making playlists hehe! Awww, the nostalgia is so real lol!! Those are all fantastic shows! I remember watching Friends and Frasier with my mom when I was younger. Another one I kinda wanna get into is Seinfeld! I always hear good things about that show and it’s a classic! Yankee Candles all smell so good lol Pink Sands is such a lovely scent. I also love Spiced Pumpkin for October! Thank you so much for reading! Hope you’re having a good Friday! x
bubble baths and reading by the fire are at the top of my list!
Same here, Cleia!! it’s getting so cold in Chicago — sitting by the fireplace with a hot chocolate & reading a good book is a must hehe!! š
Here too! I’m not ready for cold weather but a fireplace certainly helps š
Love this post! I always find that when my space is cluttered and untidy or dirty, my level of stress and tiredness are higher, so to start a relaxing moment I always start by tidying up a bit or doing a light cleaning of the space, I feel much better after that! š I should also get into podcasts but never find the right moment to listen to them!! Thanks for sharing your tips anyway, they are so useful!!
Thank you so much, Juliette!! šI’m so glad you found the tips useful! I’m the exact way when it comes to cleaning. It’s so hard for me to concentrate if my apartment is too cluttered. After work, I always try to organize everything & do some tidying up. It always makes me feel so much more relaxed! Also, if you can, I’d recommend listening to podcasts on your way to work or before bed. That’s what I’ve been doing lately and it’s been helping my stress levels so much! x
Love this post so much. Autumn season is all about chilled in door evenings, to relax and enjoy cosy life. I’m loving reading, watching TV shows snuggled with cosy blanket and cup of tea. xx
Aww, thanks hon!! Omg, that sounds like the perfect evening hehe!! I totally agree — fall is so cozy! I’m literally sitting here with my blanket & cup of tea as I type this! š š
I want ti share to pinterest but i have bad service at work š” i love these kind of posts tbh theyre my favorite and they’re actually helpful š
You’re so sweet, Kiki!! š Thank you so much for the kind words!! I’m super happy that you liked the post and it was helpful! I hope you’re doing well & having a good week, girl!! x
79. Read Nunzia’s blog posts! š
Pizza really is so good! Used to love What I Like About You as well! Been so long since I did a Buzzfeed quiz š
Omg Chanelle, you’re so sweet!! That made me smile!! šš
Pizza is super delicious hehe! I actually had some tonight for dinner šAhhh, so awesome that you liked What I like About You too, girl!! I feel like not too many people know about that show — it was hilarious & I loved the cast! Maybe they’ll do a reboot?! Who knows lol š
Haha, glad I could make you smile! Ooh what flavour pizza did you get? They could do a reboot, lots of other shows seem to be getting them š
Pepperoni, my favorite lol! We had frozen pizza in the freezer and were like, yes the perfect Friday night dinner šAnd hey you’re right — a girl can dream hehe!! x