We asked our editors to share their favorite ways to unwind. Read what they have to say. Spoiler alert: You may just want to try one of their ideas ASAP!
Everyone deserves a little TLC no matter the time of year, although some months may warrant it more than others (we’re looking at you, holiday season).
Maybe you prefer to keep yourself busy and forget to squeeze in time to relax. Or you find that you’ve been so busy recently that you haven’t had time to wind down unless it’s to sleep. Or you’ve grown bored with your usual unwind routine.
We get it: Life seriously sometimes gets in the way of, well, life.
The most important part is that you’ve come to this article, showing you’re willing to make a change. Our editorial staff is here to help inspire you to take some well-deserved YOU time.
Health and wellness touch everyone’s life differently. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Healthline Media. All quotes are strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Ever get stuck doing a task and can’t seem to get past it? Our editorial staff has been there, too.
Learning how to unstick yourself can be as simple as stepping away for a few minutes to drink some water — staying hydrated is important for a healthy mind and body — or taking a short walk around your home, office, or neighborhood.
Ginger especially leans into the idea of using exercise as a brain break.
“Most days, it’s either a forest walk with my dog, yoga, or surfing. But if it’s been an especially depleting workday, I treat myself to an extra-hot end-of-day shower, and then I lay on the couch and scroll through animal videos.” — Ginger, newsletter editor
Puzzles for brain breaks
Sometimes, using your brain in a different way can also help. “Getting lost in the clues [from crossword puzzles] helps me reset my brain. It’s impossible to ruminate on the day or feel stressed by all those things I didn’t get to on my to-do list when I’m focused on trying to decipher cryptic clues.” — Megan, senior editorial director
Sometimes a little company is all we need. You might find solace in just having the extra company or having someone to speak your mind to or distract your thoughts with.
“We unwind as a family after dinner by pulling our son around in a wagon and walking around the neighborhood.” — Tarah, senior technical project manager
Invite your friends, family, or other loved ones to unwind with you, as Tarah does. Even if your closest loved one is your pet, include them, too!
Spending a little time in some green space can help you clear your mind and truly disconnect. Instead of worrying about checking off that next item on your to-do list, try to keep your mind present.
Focus on the sounds of the birds chirping in the trees, the echoes of children laughing, the rustle of leaves as a breeze blows through them, or the warm sunshine on your skin. If it’s quiet where you are, focus on just that — the silence.
If you have a furry friend, they might like to tag along, too, like Kristin’s Dutch Shepherd.
“It’s very hard for me to disconnect from work with remote work. So I lean on my dog, Shula, a 3-year-old Dutch shepherd rescue, to tell me when to log off. I enjoy leaving my phone at home and strolling to the local grass patches to play fetch with our tennis ball and ball launcher. We get lost playing in the present moment, and it helps me unwind healthily.” — Kristin, multimedia editor
Let voices or words — that aren’t your own inner monologue telling you to get back to work — guide you to someplace you can unwind.
Clear your mind of any tasks and allow yourself to get really lost in fictional worlds, history, or any of your favorite topics.
“One way I calm down before sleep is reading — although, given a good book, this does the exact opposite: I will stay up hours past my scheduled bedtime and keep reading!
“A more uncommon way to calm down is to watch ASMR videos. Head spa videos are especially relaxing for me. Finally, I will listen to sleep stories on the Calm app or a podcast hosted by someone with a soothing voice.” — Ren, editor
The best part about this way of unwinding is that you can combine it with other techniques.
Maybe you’ll take an “everything” shower as an audiobook reads aloud in the background, or you’ll walk your dog with your favorite podcaster in your ears. Christina leans into this combination technique.
“When I need to unwind, I usually sit down in my Big Comfy Chair™, let the dogs jump up and snuggle, put on an audiobook, and play some mindless match-3 games on my phone. It helps me zone out, which is needed after a long day!” — Christina, client services manager
You might have a go-to show you’ve rewatched more times than you can count on one hand. If you’re looking for something new, can you think of any that your friends or family recommended recently?
Since awards season commences in February, what about the latest shows or movies to earn a bunch of Emmy, Golden Globe, or Oscar nominations?
March Madness closely follows, so what about filling out a bracket and cheering on your favorite team (or your second favorite)?
If you’re still looking for inspiration, try something that’s a surefire way to make you laugh, as this can help improve your mood and relieve stress. Educational TV, such as documentaries, is another great option.
Don’t forget, you can combine this technique with others, such as bringing your family in, as Lynn does.
“My son and I have a tradition I love: We curl up with blankets and cups of Sleepytime tea (plus milk and honey) and watch a nature show like ‘Blue Planet.’ The soothing narration over gorgeous underwater footage puts us both to sleep.” — Lynn, editorial director
Relaxation shouldn’t be something you feel you “have to” do. It may help to know it has proven benefits:
- Lowers blood pressure: When you relax, your
body respondsTrusted Source with slower breathing, decreased blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. - Treats anxiety: Relaxing breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, may help reduce stress, cortisol levels, and anxiety.
- Relieves pain: Some evidence suggests relaxation techniques may help with
headachesTrusted Source ,lower back painTrusted Source , andpain managementTrusted Source . - Improves irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Progressive muscle relaxation and breathing techniques may improve symptoms of IBS.
- Soothes symptoms of menopause: Paced breathing, a type of breath control strategy,
may helpTrusted Source cool you down from menopause-related hot flashes.
If you’re looking for more support to help you start a new unwinding habit, consider joining our 3-day newsletter series, New Habits, New You.
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