The world demands a lot of us, and we could all get better at letting everything go and putting ourselves first.
The best way to do that is to take yourself out of your routine, or do something that makes you forget it all and lose track of time.
Because the weight of the world can get heavy for your soul to carry. It can feel really good to drop the burdens of life and just be light.
Here are a few relaxing things to do to hit the reset button on yourself, so that you can get back to what's important with a clear mind and fresh energy.
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Go for a wander, not a walk
Set out without a destination or a plan, and have it be spontaneous. Bring a to-go cup or thermos of something warm and delicious to sip on. Curate a playlist of your favourite songs or podcasts. Imagine that you're experiencing everything around you for the first time — the colour of the sky, the sound of the traffic. Allow yourself to simply be in awe.
Plan things
Whether you prefer to draw or write or cut and paste from a magazine, fill blank pages with all that inspires you. Indulge yourself by illustrating every detail of what you're most looking forward to, your happiest memories or your favourite place in the world. Forgive yourself for not producing a masterpiece, and enjoy the process of creating something from your heart.
Laugh with abandon
Laugh loudly and without a care in the world until your eyes water. Laugh with a friend about the embarrassing things you did as kids. Laugh along with the characters on your favourite episode of The Office. Laugh for the sake of laughing, because laughing feels good.
Get lost in a fascinating story
Nothing gets you out of your head like a captivating tale. See how it feels to close your eyes and disappear into an audiobook. Curl up with a hilarious and painfully relatable picture book for adults, or reread the Harry Potter series. Instead of getting caught up in the story of your own life, let someone else tell you a story for a change.
Move your body
Health psychologist Dr. Kelly McGonigal says that movement literally changes your brain chemistry for the better. Have a solo dance party or jump on your bed like you were never allowed to as a kid, because movement is proven to make humans feel better in many ways.
Breathwork
Breathwork is the practice of intentionally altering your breathing pattern for the purpose of improving your wellbeing. If you find meditation challenging, breathwork gives you something to focus on. You might catch your thoughts drifting, and that's okay. We're not used to letting our minds rest, which is precisely why we should take every opportunity to do so. Allow yourself to be still every once in a while.
