Looking for some Relaxing Activities you can turn to when you need to relieve stress and calm your mind?

Yes – me too! This is why I’ve created this go-to list you and I can use when we need it most.

Let’s face it – when we’re most stressed we may not always have the best ideas to relieve that stress, so turning to a Relaxing activities list is great to reference.

I have created a few different categories to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for:

• Relaxing outdoor activities
• Relaxing activities to do at home
• Relaxing activities before bed
• Things to relax your mind
• Relaxing things to do in your area
• More relaxing activities for adults

100 Relaxing Activities To Destress

Relaxing Outdoor Activities

A great way to reduce your stress levels is to get outside. Nature and the outdoors can have a hugely positive impact on mental health as well as physical health. 

According to Mind.org.uk, the great outdoors can positively impact your mood, reduce feelings of stress and anger, and help you feel more relaxed amongst many other benefits.

Here are some relaxing outdoor activities you can try.

1. Walk around the block – perfect to relieve stress quickly

2. Gardening – prune, water, dig and admire your hard work

3. Get fresh air – try having your morning coffee or after-work drink outside to unwind and create some space for peace

4. Go to the beach – you can even go alone which might be even more relaxing for you

5. Hike – Visit a local trail and take a slow hike. Make sure to take in all the sounds, scents and sights of your surroundings

6. Kayak – A peaceful water sport you can do with a friend or two. Focus on paddling and being in the present moment

7. Watch the sunrise/sunset – the perfect way to start or end your day

8. Take a gratitude walk – find out 4 different ways to take one 

9. Feed the birds – if you have a bird feeder at home you’ll know that the birds eat quickly! So, feed the birds whenever you need to relax – then sit back and watch them.

10. Have a picnic in the park – find a cozy spot under a tree and watch the passersby

11. Visit a botanical garden

12. Go for a walk in the park – if you can’t get to a longer hiking trail, a walk in the park is another relaxing way to spend some quality time outside.

13. Pick some flowers – pick some from your garden and put them into a vase or go to a flower shop and treat yourself

14. Do some stargazing – you can make this a family or solo activity

15. Lay in a hammock and take in the sky and clouds

16. Nap outside – in the hammock or on a blanket

17. Attend a local festival – whether it’s books, food, art music, choose one that will bring peace and joy to your heart

18. Pick fruit – have a good time picking berries, apples, pears, etc and take a hayride too if available 

19. Attend a local kid’s sports game – if you find yourself in a park and there’s a kid’s soccer, football or baseball game, stop and watch

20. Visit an animal sanctuary and make sure to have a cuddle with as many furry friends as possible

Relaxing Activities At Home

Here are some relaxation techniques and exercises you can do at home – all of which are simple for anyone to do.

21. Water your houseplants

22. Do a puzzle

23. Create a good bedtime routine (and follow it)

24. Look at old photos

25. Create a vision board

26. Play board games or card games with family members

27. Have a nap – perfect for a weekend

28. Watch a comedy special on Netflix

29. Do some yoga either on your own, with an online class or app

30. Bake something sweet – perfect to do on a rainy day

31. Diffuse relaxing essential oils – like lavender

32. Make love with your spouse

33. Watch a good movie

34. Clean the house – a clean house creates a relaxing environment to do all of the other things you want

35. Put on some comfy clothes

36. Tidy a drawer in your bedroom

37. Use a foot massager – this is the one I love

38. Light some candles and cozy up

39. Do something creative – sketch, paint, draw

41. Have a fire – either in a fire pit outside or a fireplace if you’re lucky to have one

42. Watch an episode of your favorite TV show

43. Be the first to wake up – so you can have good quality alone time

44. Declutter a small space – for example your closet or car

45. Have a girl’s night in – invite a friend over for a visit and a great chit chat

46. Call a good friend – I love to do this when I’m not feeling great. I call someone who I know will make me smile

47. Dance – in the kitchen while cooking or anywhere else your heart desires

48. Try creative writing – a great way to release your feelings and creative ideas

49. Drink a seasonal beverage – pumpkin spice latte, hot chocolate, strawberry and mint water

50. Write a letter or postcard to someone you love

51. Stretch – stretching can help you physically relax. Do it before bed and when you rise in the morning.

Relaxing Activities Before Bed

If you’re looking for ideas on how to relax before bed, here are some simple activities you can try – designed to help you unwind.

52. Wash and moisturize your face slowly

53. Write in a gratitude journal – here’s one I created with 52 writing prompts for every week of the year

54. Read a good book

55. Write a Simple Pleasures List

56. Knit or crochet

57. Soak in a warm bath – add in some candles and bath balms or bubble bath to make it extra relaxing

58. Have a hot, cozy drink before bed – try some herbal teas, hot chocolate or golden milk tea

59. Have a long hot shower

60. Use a face mask

61. Use a noise maker – this one helps me sleep soundly every night and also helps me relax before bed

63. Listen to a sleep story from Calm

Things To Relax Your Mind

We not only need to feel relaxed physically but mentally. 

64. Try a calming app like Headspace

65. Get some light exercise

66. Go for a drive in the countryside

67. Write some positive affirmations and recite them in the mirror

68. Try guided visualization – Check out this beautiful guided visualization that helps you practice the law of attraction

69. Walk barefoot to ground yourself

70. Write it down – release your stress onto paper

71. Try a body scan meditation – the act of mindfully scanning your body from head to toe. Learn more here.

72. Try Tai Chi

73. Pray, or read the bible or other religious texts

74. Listen to music – make a playlist of your favorite songs or try something different like classical music

75. Do some walking meditation

76. Practice deep breathing – focus on taking deep breaths through your nose and deep into your chest, and then releasing

77. Write a feel-good list – this is a list of things that make you feel good. List everything you can think of from little to small. Then next time you need a pick me up you can refer to the list.

78. Read some poetry

80. Take a break – feel the stress coming on? Walk away from whatever you are doing and take a break.

Relaxing Activities To Do In Your Area

81. Spend quality time with a friend

82. Go on a date with yourself

83. Have a pedicure – either go to a local spot or give one to yourself

84. Have a spa day – plunge pool, sauna, facial

85. Go on a date with your partner

86. Visit an art gallery or museum

87. Visit a local cafe

88. Have dinner with friends

89. Sign up for a weekly pottery or ceramics class

90. Get a much-needed good massage

More Relaxing Activities For Adults

91. Get to know your self-love language

92. Learn about a 30-day challenge and choose one to focus on

93. Write a bucket list

95. Listen to an inspiring podcast

96. Try some journal prompts like these prompts for self-love

97. Have a cup of tea or coffee – just the process of making tea or coffee can be relaxing

98. Create a self-care checklist

99. Do a hobby you love or try a new one

100. Follow a feel-good social media account and check out their content – think cute animals, cute kids, good deeds, etc

Final Thoughts

Everyday stress can be overwhelming for most of us, so deciding what your go-to relaxing activities are is a fantastic way to introduce more inner peace and calm into your life.

To begin your own relaxation practices I recommend using these relaxing activities as a starting point to figure out what helps you create the right balance in your day.

What Relaxing Activities Do You Do In Your Daily Life?

And will you add any new ways to relax to your daily routine? Share in the comments section below to inspire others.

Related Resources To Help You Relax:

• 10 Stress Relief Activities
• 40 Self-Care Questions To Ask Yourself
• Build A Happy Week: Self-Care Worksheets
• Free Printable Mood Tracker

The post 100 Relaxing Activities To Destress & Calm Your Mind appeared first on Put The Kettle On.