9 Free Ways to Relax
It seems as though the terms stress and burnout are being used more and more these days.
According to helpguide.org, burnout is “a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.”
We are in an age where we have powerful tools of productivity at our fingertips and in a time where there is money to be made if you work for it. But, with great power comes great responsibility. The demand for us to use those tools and our time to earn is constant.
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
-Somebody, maybe Spider-man
We are expected to be productive at all hours of the day. We have the ability to send emails and respond at any time. The demand for our time and energy feels constant. A steady diet of this can lead to stress and eventually burnout.
But sometimes we just need free ways to relax.
A simple solution may be to go to a spa or go on a retreat but those things cost $$. And if you’re already stressed about working too much, money stress probably isn’t far behind. Here are 9 free ways to relax and unwind that won’t cost money.
Unplug
Our devices used for working are also the same ones used for enjoyment: watching videos, connecting with people, etc. So we never actually get a break.
Scrolling through the socials is closely tied to comparing your life with others’ highlights. I can’t think of anything less relaxing. Say goodbye to others’ lives for a time while you focus on your own.
You can quit cold turkey or you can gradually phase out by setting timers to limit time spent with apps and settings such as Screen Time for iOS (Settings > Screen Time) and StayFree for Android.
Take a Walk
Sometimes the best free way to relax is to remove yourself from the stressful setting. Change up your view by hiking through the woods. Pack a picnic lunch, find a clearing, and just be. Stroll down to your local library. Find a book and read it in the peace & quiet.
Stretch
If our body feels tense, our mind will feel the same. Limber up and do some calming stretching and breathing exercises. Never underestimate the power of a deep breath. In through your nose, out through your mouth.
Find a physical activity such as pilates or yoga. Blogilates on YouTube has every type of stretching, pilates, and full work out videos that are great! You just have follow along so you can give your mind a break and go on autopilot.
Drink Tea
Tea is a nice and warm soothing beverage.
Skip the artificial sugar and caffeine. Find a caffeine free herbal tea such as peppermint or chamomile. If you don’t have tea on hand, boil hot water and add lemon & honey. Add in peppermint leaf. Green tea is an option if you still need a little bit of caffeine.
Challenge yourself to drink it while it is still hot.
Start a Hobby
Find a hobby that employs a repetitive motion with your hands – like knitting. Once you’ve learned the basics, you just repeat. Very little thought required. Sit outside and start painting what you see.
What is relaxing for others may not be relaxing for you. (As evidenced by the image below: trying to paint with a one year old around is not my definition of relaxing.)
- Related: When Motherhood Leaves You Weak
Adult coloring books were all the rage 2 years ago for a reason though I personally did not find this particular fad relaxing.. so many micro decisions go into choosing the color and the thought of making a mistake by coloring outside the lines was stressful for this perfectionist. Color by numbers may be more my speed.
Clean the House
I find that there is a direct correlation between the state of the house and the state of my mind. Clearing out the clutter and minimizing the mess does wonders for my ability to relax. If I look out and see surfaces full of who knows what, my thoughts have turned to figuring out where those items need to go.
Maximize your relaxation time with a quick 5 minute tidy before you sit down. Maybe your 5 minutes will turn into tackling a wardrobe clean out, which could be therapeutic.
Listen to Music
Noise. Cancelling. Headphones.
Block out everything except what you choose to listen to. Classical or upbeat instrumental won’t distract you with words but is still upbeat enough to keep your mind from wandering. I’m a fan of The Piano Guys. For when I do want words: Mumford & Sons (of course).
If words are more you thing, try an audiobook or podcast. Here is a free trial for Audible where you can get a free audiobook.
Soak up the Sun
Grab a towel or a lawn chair and just lay out in the sun. Soak up all the vitamin D you can before turning into a lobster. Close your eyes and let the warmth hit your face. Let your mind wander or fall asleep – just be sure to apply sunscreen first.
Stop Multitasking
Lastly, one of the best ways to relax is to stop multitasking. Focus on one thing and one thing only. It’s okay. You may find the quality of your project increases when that is your sole focus. You don’t have to constantly be working on 6 things at once.
There you have it: 9 free ways to relax and unwind. One of the most important things you can do to stave off stress and burnout is to remember to take a break and take some time for yourself.
This was so beneficial to read! Very practical ways to relax. I need to be reminded of these on a daily basis.