Feeling stressed out is totally normal, but being stressed all the time isn’t great for your health. Knowing how to relax is vital for ensuring your well-being, and it can restore the passion and joy in your life. If you aren’t sure how exactly you can relax, read through this list of helpful tips to get you started on the right track.

4

Spend time with your pet.

  1. Cuddle or play with your furry friend. They’ll love it and so will you! You could even chat with your pet about your day or talk to them about the stress and anxiety you’ve been feeling. Even though they can’t talk back, you’ll probably feel a whole lot better afterwards.[4]
    • If you don't have a pet, ask a friend if you can spend time with theirs.
    • Many cities also now have cat cafes where you can go and hang out with cats for a small fee.
8

Practice mindfulness.

  1. Pay attention to the present moment. If you catch yourself worrying about something that happened in the past or what might happen in the future, challenge those thoughts. Try to really focus on what you’re doing in this exact moment, even if it’s something mundane. Make yourself be present to melt away stress and become more relaxed over time.[8]
    • If you’re having trouble being mindful, think about what you can sense around you. What do the clothes feel like on your body? What can you hear right now? What are you looking at?
9

Disconnect from technology.

10

Write in a journal.

  1. Let your emotions out in a private place. Set aside 5 or 10 minutes every day to jot down a few things in your journal. You could write about your feelings, what you did that day, or what you’re looking forward to in the future. Putting your thoughts down on paper can help you work through them faster than if you keep them bottled up.[9]
    • Make sure you keep your journal in a private place where no one else can find it. If you have pesky siblings, try putting a lock on your journal to keep them out.
    • You could also use a journal to keep a gratitude list and remind yourself of what you’re thankful for.
11

Try aromatherapy.

  1. Use essential oils to calm your nerves. When you’re feeling stressed, mix a few drops of an essential oil and water and put it into a diffuser. Turn the diffuser on and take deep, relaxing breaths, focusing on the scent. Keep doing your deep breathing until the scent runs out or you feel calmer.[10]
    • If you don’t have a diffuser, put a few drops of an essential oil into a bowl of hot water. Then, breathe the steam in deeply.
    • Lavender oil, chamomile oil, sage oil, and rose oil are all good scents for relaxation.
    • Always dilute your essential oils, as they can be harmful in concentrated doses.
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12

Take a quick break if you're short on time.

  1. Small breaks throughout the day can make a huge difference. If you’re at work or school, try taking a 5 to 10 minute break to stretch, walk around, or even read a fun book. Doing this every 2 to 3 hours will help calm your thoughts and give your brain some time to rest.[11]
    • This is especially important during long study sessions or when you’re pulling all nighters. Giving your mind a break for a few minutes can help you focus longer and work harder.
13

Focus on your breathing.

14

Visualize yourself somewhere relaxing.

15

Try progressive muscle relaxation.

16

Go to a biofeedback session.

  1. A therapist can track your body’s responses to stress. Set up an appointment with a licensed mental health professional and go in for a session. During the procedure, a therapist will attach electrical sensors to different parts of your body that track your heart rate, your sweat glands, and your brain waves. You’ll be exposed to information like beeping and flashing lights, and your therapist will track your responses to them.[15]
    • At the end of the session, your therapist can tell you about different techniques to relax the muscles in your body that are responding to stressors. The goal of the session is to take the information you’ve learned and use it at home to relax whenever you’re feeling stressed.

Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    What is the best way to relax?
    Adam Dorsay, PsyD
    Adam Dorsay, PsyD
    Licensed Psychologist & TEDx Speaker
    Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist in private practice in San Jose, CA, and the co-creator of Project Reciprocity, an international program at Facebook's Headquarters, and a consultant with Digital Ocean’s Safety Team. He specializes in assisting high-achieving adults with relationship issues, stress reduction, anxiety, and attaining more happiness in their lives. In 2016 he gave a well-watched TEDx talk about men and emotions. Dr. Dorsay has a M.A. in Counseling from Santa Clara University and received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2008.
    Adam Dorsay, PsyD
    Licensed Psychologist & TEDx Speaker
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    It really depends on what you like to do in your spare time and who you are as a person. There is no universal "best way" to relax. Some people really enjoy meditating or doing yoga. Other people like to take a long bath with a good book. It really depends on what you like to do.
  • Question
    How can I stop panicking at night?
    Sydney Axelrod
    Sydney Axelrod
    Certified Life Coach
    Sydney Axelrod is a certified life coach and the owner of Sydney Axelrod LLC, a life coaching business focused on professional and personal development. Through one-on-one coaching, digital courses, and group workshops, Sydney works with clients to discover their purpose, navigate life transitions, and set and accomplish goals. Sydney has over 1,000 hours of relevant coaching certifications and holds a BBA in Marketing and Finance from Emory University.
    Sydney Axelrod
    Certified Life Coach
    Expert Answer

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    If you're actively panicking at night, it probably means you're getting burned out by whatever's going on during the day. Try cutting your daily schedule down a bit and set aside more time for rest.
  • Question
    Typical "relaxing" activities aren't actually relaxing for me. Is there something wrong with me?
    Leah Morris
    Leah Morris
    Life Coach
    Leah Morris is a Life and Relationship Transition coach and the owner of Life Remade, a holistic personal coaching service. With over three years as a professional coach, she specializes in guiding people as they move through both short-term and long-term life transitions. Leah holds a BA in Organizational Communication from California State University, Chico and is a certified Transformational Life Coach through the Southwest Institute for Healing Arts.
    Leah Morris
    Life Coach
    Expert Answer

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    Relaxing is different for everyone. Part of it is related to whether you're an introvert or an extrovert. Introverts are going to be more focused on having that alone time to be with themselves as a way to refuel and re-energize. Extroverts re-energize with people. They find more energy and fuel in interacting and doing social things and talking through things. You really just want to focus on how your body is feeling.
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About This Article

Leah Morris
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Life Coach
This article was co-authored by Leah Morris and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Leah Morris is a Life and Relationship Transition coach and the owner of Life Remade, a holistic personal coaching service. With over three years as a professional coach, she specializes in guiding people as they move through both short-term and long-term life transitions. Leah holds a BA in Organizational Communication from California State University, Chico and is a certified Transformational Life Coach through the Southwest Institute for Healing Arts. This article has been viewed 3,185,079 times.
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Co-authors: 235
Updated: January 29, 2023
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Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

If you need to relax in the moment, start by inhaling for 5 seconds, holding your breath for 5 seconds, and then exhaling for 5 seconds. Repeat this practice for a whole minute, since focusing on your breathing will often help you feel more calm. However, if breathing isn't working, try lying down in a quiet, dark place and closing your eyes. Then, listen to your favorite music or put on some light background music. Take this time to think about something other that what's stressing you out, since getting some space from the problem is often the best way to relax. If none of this is helping, try going for a walk outside without bringing any technology, since your phone or computer can be stressing you out even if you don't realize it! If you want to know more ways to feel relaxed, such as how to practice meditation or avoid getting stressed, keep reading!

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