National Relaxation Day: Pencil in Some Time to Relax

Today is National Relaxation Day, and in these waning days of summer, it seems like the time is just right for putting up your feet with a glass of something cool and finding ways to chill out. Here at Studio 602, we may be at our desks, but our minds are far away, thinking about these ways to relax.

10 Ways to Pencil in Some Relaxation

1) Take a walk! It doesn’t have to be a sprint or even a brisk trot; a sunset stroll is the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the fading summer light – who knows, your next inspiration for a poem, a sketch or a song might be just around the corner. Exercise boosts your endorphin levels, lifting your spirits and lowering your stress. Just take plenty of water and stay hydrated in the heat!

2) Listen to some music – it’s a proven stress-reducer. There are dozens of playlists and CDs dedicated to all genres of relaxing music, from classical to contemporary, but music is a deeply personal thing – that Enya CD that does wonders for the stress levels of your yoga teacher could be like nails on a chalk board to you. Pop in the grooves that make you happy and make you breathe a little deeper.

3) When was the last time you caught up with a friend? And not just an email exchange or Facebook chat – what about lunch or coffee? Sharing a meal with friends lets you reconnect and relax with the people you love. To make sure no one is stressed over pulling together a meal on their own, ask each guest to bring a course, or have everyone bring their favorite family dish. You’ll share special memories while creating new ones.

4) Job stress have you feeling down? Close the computer for five minutes, open your sketchbook and doodle. Sketching will relieve tired eyes that have stared at a computer monitor all morning, and it gives you a quick, fun breather from the more serious tasks at hand. As a bonus, doodling let’s you access the creative portions of your brain, bringing a fresh twist to problem-solving.

5) Spend some quality time with your pets. Four-footed companions like dogs and cats have been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Take a walk in the park with your favorite canine pal; let your favorite feline chase after some crumpled paper tied to a string. Laughter and affection are sure-fire ways to relax while lowering your stress levels. Don’t have one of your own? Visit a local pet store or no-kill animal shelter, or offer to walk a friend’s dog for the day.

6) Take a good hard look at your lifestyle habits – are you getting your eight hours of sleep? Drinking plenty of water? Eating a well-balanced diet of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and veggies? Making even the smallest changes in your lifestyle – going out three nights a week instead of five; skipping one cup of coffee for one bottle of water – can reap big rewards for your overall health, and reduce your stress in a major way.

7) Do something kind for someone else – it’s amazing how a random act of kindness can revive your spirits and lower your stress. Being the change you want to see in the world can do wonders for restoring your faith in humanity. Spring for a stranger’s cup of coffee, bring in treats to your office break room, make a small donation to your charity of choice – relax and know the world is in good hands with people like you in it.

8) Clean up your act! And by that, we mean take some time to declutter your environment. By removing physical clutter like stacks of papers, piles of laundry and unmade beds, you’ll find you’re in a clearer space to think and relax. It doesn’t have to be a top to bottom cleaning – set a timer for fifteen minutes and see how much you can accomplish in the time allotted. When you’re done, put your feet up and relax in your newly-clean digs.

9) Inhaling and exhaling is a given, but taking a deep breath helps you relax on a whole new level. So much of our lives are based on the hustle-and-bustle, must-get-there-now mentality of our over-connected society, so taking a couple extra seconds for a deep breath or a pause to think before you respond can reap some major relaxaction benefits down the road.

10) Revel in some well-deserved doing nothing time. Turn off your cell phone, close your computer, pop in your favorite movie or open your favorite book and spend a little quality time on your sofa. Heck, stare into space if that helps you chill out – sometimes the best thing to do to relax is nothing.