Finding Relaxation in a Fast-Paced Society

When you find yourself constantly being on the go more than self-care and relaxation, it is important to find a second to take a deep breath.  

Come on, do it with me.

In through the nose, 2…3…4...

And slowly through the mouth…2…3…4…5…

Now that you have relaxed a little, here is a list of things that might help you decompress after an overwhelming day! 

#1: Sometimes, if the day has been really stressful, taking a drive is a great way to escape the pressure of reality. I highly recommend finding an open road somewhere with minimal traffic. Find a new city or town that you have not been to and drive around. This will give you a nice change of scenery. While driving, make it a point to take in the view and notice what is around you. Having something new to look at should take your mind off of daily life for a little while!

Image Courtesy: Instagram

#2: Spend time with someone you love. Whether this is in person, over the phone, with a friend, or partner, spend time with someone who makes you feel good. Have a nice conversation somewhere. Make a cup of tea or coffee and relax on the couch with them. Facetime someone you connect with. Tell them about the good things going on in your life, no matter how small. 

#3: Journal about whatever you need to. If it’s a rant, go on with it for pages. Be messy. No one has good handwriting in a rant session. If you think gratitude would be a better approach, do that when you write instead. There are no rules to follow, no word count to reach, and no grades attached. This is for you and only you. If you’re not the greatest at expressing your feelings on paper, try writing a short story about someone else who is stressed. For some people, this really helps, and you might find out more about your stresses than you knew before. Putting it into a different perspective opens a range of opportunities to explore what you feel. 

#4: Go outside! Lay in the grass, get some fresh air. Throw a frisbee, toss a volleyball. When you spend hours at work or in school, it is hard to find time to go outside. It is important to make this a priority. Outside time is vital to our health! 

#5: Cook something refreshing. Whip out that old cookbook your grandma gave you that you swore you’d never use and try making something new. This will awaken your taste buds to new foods and hopefully destress you in the kitchen.

#6: Put. Your. Phone. Down. I know, I know. But I guarantee your screen time is yelling at you to put it away too. Just put it in a drawer somewhere in your house and try not to look at it for at least an hour. Pay attention to life around you instead of on the screen! This does wonders for grounding.

#7: Speaking of grounding, if you have a hard time being present, try this exercise! You’re going to want to take some deep breaths and then begin by noting, either aloud or in your head, 5 things that you see in the room. Then, follow this with 4 things that you can touch in the room. Think about how they feel…are they smooth? Rough? Soft? Next, name 3 things that you can hear in the room…perhaps the air conditioning running? The chatter of other people around you? Cars outside of your window? After this, you’ll want to come up with 2 things that you can smell! Maybe you smell fresh linen, pine, etc. Lastly, end the exercise by noting one thing you can taste! Once you’ve done all of these things, you should feel like you are a little more connected to your surroundings.

I hope that all of these little things are helpful for you and your journey to relaxation!

If you are a full-time college student or have a full-time job, it can be hard to find time to unwind. However, just remember that if something is stressing you out, it’s never permanent! Brighter days are coming!  

Strike Out, 

Writer: Macie Hebert

Editors: Marissa DeMaio & Madison Sloan 

Saint Augustine