Relaxing Activities to Do, According to Mental Health Experts

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Licensed psychologist Adam Dorsay, PsyD, shares his best relaxation tips

Co-authored by Adam Dorsay, PsyD and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Mindfulness
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• Self-Care
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• Creative
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• Intellectual
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• Physical
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The world can be pretty darn stressful, which makes it all the more important to relax and prioritize self-care in your downtime. But what if you’re not sure what activities to do to really de-stress and unwind? If you’re in this pickle, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a list of all kinds of relaxing activities to do, from mindfulness practices to physical exercise to arts and crafts and beyond. We’ve even talked to mental health professionals for their expert advice on how to relax and fight stress and anxiety. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

What are some relaxing activities to do?

Licensed psychologist Adam Dorsay, PsyD, explains that relaxation looks different for everyone. Depending on your preferences, the best activity to de-stress and unwind might be meditation, yoga, physical exercise, journaling, connecting with loved ones, or even just sitting in a hot bath.

Steps

Section 1 of 7:

Relaxing Mindfulness Activities

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   Mindfulness meditation If you want to feel as relaxed as you would while asleep without actually going to bed, sleep provider Randal Silver, DMD, recommends mindfulness meditation. “Mindfulness meditation can induce a state of calmness and promote restfulness,” which helps “reduce stress and tension, enabling the body and mind to rejuvenate, even without sleep,” explains Dr. Silver. The science backs this up, too! Research shows that mindfulness meditation decreases stress and anxiety, while also improving your mood. Here’s how to do it:

   • Choose a quiet, distraction-free space, and either sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
   • Focus your attention on your breathing to anchor yourself in the present moment, letting all other distractions fall away.
   • Breathe in and out slowly, trying to keep your attention on your breath. Let any thoughts or emotions that come up pass without judgment.
   • Meditate however long you’d like. If you’re a beginner, 5 minutes is a good place to start. If you’re a more seasoned meditator, 10-20 minutes could be the right length for you.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Adam Dorsay, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist specializing in high-achieving adults with stress reduction, anxiety, relationship issues, and attaining more happiness in their lives.

   Carolyn Rubenstein is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with adults on anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout.

   Randal Silver, DMD, is a sleep provider with over 20 years of academic and professional experience who serves his community by providing treatment for those with sleep-disorderd breathing and sleep apnea.

   Lucy Yeh is a career and life coach with over 20 years of experience and a training background with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at InsightLA.

   Susanna Kerwin, ANP-BC, HNP, is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience who specializes in adult primary care, holistic medicine, and women’s healthcare.
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   Body scan meditation Career and life coach Lucy Yeh recommends trying out body scan meditation, too. This type of meditation is all about directing your attention to different parts of your body to help you get more in tune with your physical self. Here are Yeh’s tips for performing a body scan meditation:

   • “Lie or sit in a comfortable place and relax your body. Close your eyes. Let your breathing slow down and become deeper,” Yeh says.
   • Next, “Turn your awareness toward your own body. Start the body scan by focusing on your head and checking in with your body to see if you detect any tension,” recommends Yeh.
   • “Continue the same checking-in awareness with each part of your body as you move toward your feet. If you find any tension, consciously let it go. When you end at your toes, evaluate whether you feel less tense overall,” Yeh says.
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   Deep breathing exercises Deep breathing exercises are another great activity for promoting relaxation and alleviating stress. “Breathe in for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of seven, then exhale fully for a count of eight,” recommends Yeh. It sounds so simple, but small breathing exercises like these can do wonders to promote a calm mood!
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   Journaling Journaling is another relaxing activity that has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and promote emotional well-being. You don’t need to follow a specific format when journaling (unless you want to!). Just setting aside a few minutes each day to write about what’s on your mind can do wonders!

   • Don’t worry about grammar or spelling while you journal. It’s not about “sounding good”—it’s about exploring your emotions and getting more in tune with yourself.
   • Turn your daily journaling time into a relaxing ritual! Find a quiet, cozy place to sit down and write, make yourself a hot cup of tea, and just let your mind run wild.
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   Gratitude journaling If you want a more focused mindfulness writing practice to do regularly, a gratitude journal could be perfect for you. Just set aside a couple of minutes at the start or end of each day to write down a list of things you’re grateful for. This quick, easy activity has some major benefits—according to research, practicing gratitude reduces anxiety and depression, while also relieving stress and improving sleep.
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   Spending time outside Relaxing and promoting mental well-being can be as easy as stepping outside and getting some fresh air. In fact, research shows that spending time in nature reduces stress, supports mental health, improves sleep quality, and even boosts your immune system and heart health. Here are some ideas to help you enjoy the great outdoors:

   • Do some gardening.
   • Read a book outside.
   • Write in a journal or sketch outside.
   • Go birdwatching.
   • Go stargazing.
   • Go on a picnic with a loved one.
   • Take your dog out for a walk.
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Section 2 of 7:

Relaxing Self-Care Activities

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   Taking a warm bath According to Dr. Silver, “Finding activities that personally promote relaxation and restoration is key to experiencing restfulness,” and for many people, “taking a relaxing bath” fits this bill. To really get the most relaxation out of your bath, try to make a whole ritual of it. Dim the lights, light a scented candle, put on some relaxing music, and use a fun bath bomb or bath oil to amp up the luxuriousness of the experience.
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   Doing a face mask Doing a face mask can be a very relaxing end-of-the-night ritual, and you can also pick a mask that addresses a specific skincare concern, like hydration, exfoliation, brightness, smoothness, or acne control. Whether you want to use a sheet mask, cream mask, or clay/mud mask, you’re sure to find one that’s formulated for the area you want to focus on.

   • As with the bath, you want to turn this moment into a calming, rejuvenating ritual. So, make sure you’re in your pajamas or comfy clothes, dim the lights, and put on some chill music or your favorite TV show in the background!
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   Practicing aromatherapy Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to promote your health or wellbeing, and it can be a very relaxing activity. To practice aromatherapy, you can massage diluted essential oils into your skin or diffuse them in your home using an essential oil diffuser.

   • You can use whichever essential oil you like the best, but some options that specifically promote relaxation and reduce anxiety include lavender essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, bergamot essential oil, and cedarwood essential oil.
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   Getting a massage It’s hard to think of something more relaxing than getting a massage! It’s a set period of time where your only job is to lie down, relax, and unwind, which is such an important thing to do in today’s hectic world. Massages also have proven benefits—research indicates that massage can reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, reduce stress hormones, promote relaxation, and even help you manage conditions like anxiety or depression..
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   Getting a manicure or pedicure If you want to do something relaxing while also getting out of the house, consider getting a mani or pedi (or both!). While you get your nails done, you can’t really be productive or work on other things, which essentially forces you to slow down and relax for a set period of time. Most nail salons will massage some lotion into your hands and feet during the process, which can be very calming!
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   Having an acupuncture session Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice that involves placing thin needles into your skin at various specific points of your face and/or body. This may sound a little scary, but many people actually find it to be very relaxing! Research has even shown that acupuncture can be helpful when it comes to managing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and nervousness.
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   Have a reiki healing session Reiki is an energy-healing practice rooted in ancient Japanese healing traditions. Although Reiki hasn’t been scientifically proven to treat any mental health conditions, many people find it incredibly calming and relaxing, so there’s no harm in trying it out!
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   Watching your favorite comfort TV show or movie You don’t always need to do an elaborate or productive activity to promote relaxation and mental well-being. Just putting on your favorite movie or TV show and chilling out in a cozy outfit can really do wonders when you need to unwind! “There’s no wrong way to relax,” says licensed clinical psychologist Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD. “So anything that you enjoy doing, anything that helps you to refuel and feel a sense of lightness, a sense of energy—let yourself do that, even if it doesn’t seem productive.”
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Section 3 of 7:

Relaxing Creative Activities

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   Coloring If you’re looking for a creative activity that’s also super easy to do, coloring is the one for you. All you need is an adult coloring book and some markers or colored pencils—no artistic training required! The act of coloring can become a sort of meditative practice, allowing your brain to relax and unwind. It’s also low-stakes and beginner-friendly, so you won’t stress out about the final product.

   • Pick a coloring book with illustrations that spark joy for you. There are cute coloring books with cozy animals, beautiful coloring books with plants and flowers, and intricate coloring books with cool designs or mandalas. The options are endless!
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   Drawing or painting Drawing and painting are fun, creative activities that are also known to promote relaxation. In fact, research even shows that the act of creating art can reduce your cortisol (stress hormone) levels. If you want to really get into art as a hobby, you can try taking a class in your community or watching some YouTube tutorials, but it’s also completely okay to just explore on your own. It’s not about being Picasso or Van Gogh—it’s about unwinding and expressing yourself!
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   Knitting or crocheting If you want something that’s relaxing, creative, and functional all at once, try out crocheting or knitting. Research shows that the repetitive hand movements have a calming, meditative effect, and you can let your creativity run wild while choosing colors and designs. At the end of it all, you’ll have a beautiful, functional piece of art, like a sweater, blanket, wall hanging, bag, or scarf.
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   Learning or playing an instrument Whether you’re a beginner hoping to learn an instrument or someone who already knows how to play one, making music is a super fun and relaxing hobby. You can play your favorite soothing song by another artist, or even try your hand at writing your own songs!
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   Creative writing Creative writing allows you to use your imagination, process your emotions, and even escape reality for a period of time. Whether you’re writing poems, short stories, fan fiction, or even getting started on your very own novel, a creative writing project can be an amazing creative outlet!

   • Not sure where to start? Check out our helpful lists of creative writing prompts to inspire you!
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Section 4 of 7:

Relaxing Intellectual Activities

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   Reading If you’re tired of endlessly scrolling on TikTok or Instagram, reading could be the perfect relaxing offline activity for you. Pick a genre you love, and immerse yourself in another world for a while! Whether you pick up a romance, thriller, horror novel, literary fiction novel, or a classic, you’ll likely find that your own stressors melt away as you get lost in the story.

   • Not sure what to read? Check out our What Book Should I Read quiz!
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   Listening to a podcast or audiobook Listening to a podcast or audiobook is a great way to learn interesting new info while also relaxing and unwinding. For the most calming experience, get into some comfortable clothes, light a scented candle, sit down in a cozy area in your home, and settle in for an interesting story!
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   Sudoku or crossword puzzles Sudoku and crossword puzzles aren’t just great workouts for your brain—they’re also calming, screen-free activities that can help you relax! Doing sudoku or crossword puzzles forces you to slow down, sit, and focus for a period of time, which makes them a sort of meditative practice for some people. Both activities are also associated with improved memory and brain function, so it’s a win-win situation!
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   Jigsaw puzzles If you’re looking for something calming, good for your brain, and a little bit easier to do, why not try a jigsaw puzzle? Puzzles are associated with improved cognitive abilities and protection against cognitive aging, and they’re also undeniably relaxing. While you work on your puzzle, put on some peaceful music or your favorite comfort show, and you’re golden!.
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Section 5 of 7:

Relaxing Physical Activities

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   Yoga Dr. Silver recommends practicing gentle stretching or yoga to promote relaxation and restoration. On the one hand, yoga helps you feel good physically by improving your strength, balance, and flexibility. On the other hand, it helps you feel good mentally by promoting relaxation, improving your sleep quality, and boosting your mood. Long story short, yoga is the perfect activity to do if you want something that’s both active and relaxing!
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   Tai chi Tai chi is a gentle form of exercise, and it’s considered a mind-body practice, meaning it combines physical activity with mental wellness. Some people even refer to tai chi as “meditation in motion,” and this makes sense, considering it shares so many of the same benefits! In particular, tai chi can reduce stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and improve overall mental well-being.
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   Walking If you want to get your heart rate up while also de-stressing, consider taking a walk. “For stress, I think it’s important to exercise. Exercise is the best thing that people can do for themselves, even if it’s just a walk,” explains nurse practitioner Susanna Kerwin, ANP-BC, HNP. “You don’t have to get crazy about it [...] just getting active daily and getting into your body in a positive way is really the most important thing for anxiety, and it is very effective.”

   • You’ll also get to spend some time outdoors, which has been proven to have relaxing effects!
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   Hiking Another fun way to get outside and get active is to go on a hike. You’ll be able to soak up some vitamin D, get your blood pumping, and admire some beautiful locations in nature—all of which have been shown to promote mental wellbeing and relaxation.
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   Dancing Looking for something a little more upbeat to help you unwind? Dancing could be the perfect activity for you! Dancing gets your heart rate up, which releases endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s feel-good hormones, and they naturally boost your mood and reduce stress. Research also shows that dancing can be very effective for reducing depression and anxiety.

   • If you want to go all-out, you can join a dance class, but it’s also completely fine to just put on your favorite music and dance around in the privacy of your own home. The point is to get your blood pumping and enjoy yourself!
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Section 6 of 7:

Relaxing Social Activities

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   Spending time with friends or family “Relaxing is different for everyone,” explains life coach Leah Morris. “Extroverts re-energize with people—they find more energy and more fuel in interacting, having social things, and talking through things.” In other words, an extrovert may not find some of the options on this list quite as relaxing, since they’re primarily solo activities. If you’re an extrovert, you might feel the most restored and rejuvenated when doing something more social, like grabbing lunch with a friend or hanging out with your family.

   • Dorsay agrees: “Scan your contacts for people who get you and who you get as well, where there's a nice symmetry in the connection, and make sure to be connecting with those people,” he says.
   • Dorsay explains that this is effective because these are the types of people who will likely make you feel rejuvenated after speaking to them.
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   Volunteering in your community You might not think of volunteering as a “relaxing” activity, but it actually has some significant benefits when it comes to mental wellbeing, which can help you feel calmer and more at peace overall in your life. When you volunteer, you’re connecting with others and doing something good for the world, and this promotes your mental and emotional well-being.
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   Joining a club Joining a club is another great relaxation activity for extroverts. It allows you to explore a hobby or interest you’re passionate about, while also connecting with like-minded people (who may even end up becoming your close friends!). Depending on your interests, you could join a book club, chess club, birdwatching club, coding club—it’s entirely up to you.
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Section 7 of 7:

Relaxing Food & Drink Activities

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   Making a cup of tea For relaxation, Yeh recommends drinking “herbal tea with honey or maple syrup to sweeten it, and any combination of turmeric, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, rose, lavender, or nutmeg that pleases your palate.” It may sound super simple or too good to be true, but the ritual of making and drinking a warm mug of something delicious can absolutely have a soothing effect!
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   Baking Baking is a popular hobby that many people find very relaxing. It involves focusing your mind fully on the task at hand, which can really help you let go of your stressors and just be in the present moment. Plus, at the end of it all, you’ll have a delicious baked treat to eat and share with your loved ones.

   • Not sure what to bake? Check out our fun What Should I Bake quiz!
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   Cooking If you’re more of a savory person, cooking may be the relaxing culinary hobby for you. Like baking, cooking requires you to focus fully on following your recipe or creating your own unique dish, and this helps you let go of the stresses and anxieties of your regular daily life. Making a delicious meal for the people you care about is also a beautiful act of service and love (and making a delicious meal for yourself is a beautiful act of self-love!).
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