6 HOLISTIC WAYS TO RELAX

By Tess DiNapoli

Relaxation plays a vital function in dampening stress levels and helping us restore our mental and physical wellbeing. However, not all relaxation techniques are beneficial, and some — such as depending on mood-altering substances — can do more harm than good.

If you’re looking for some new ways to relax, consider the following holistic relaxation strategies. You can use each technique to cultivate relaxation from within while potentially improving your mood, sleep quality, and more.

1. Exercise

If you’re looking for an evidence-based way to unwind, research suggests that you shouldn’t overlook exercise. Even just a 30-minute workout can ease stress by lowering your levels of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. In addition, exercise also releases endorphins (endogenous morphine) — powerful pain-relieving hormones responsible for the “runner’s high” that often accompanies vigorous exercise.

In fact, one meta-analysis of 40 studies found that adults who were more likely to have stressful lifestyles benefitted even more from exercise than those that led less stressful lives. Your exercise doesn’t have to consist of an hour on the treadmill or lifting weights, there are plenty of fun workouts and clubs you can join to get moving and enjoy it.

2. Holotropic Breathwork

When we experience stress, it can sometimes affect the quality and frequency of our breathing. But what if you could alter your breathing to reduce stress?

That’s the founding principle behind holotropic breathwork, a breathing technique that purportedly allows access to altered states of consciousness, including relaxation. Supposedly, the mental shifts caused by holotropic breathing can mirror the mental changes we might feel when we’re upset about something but awake in the morning only to experience a clarified perspective.

Holotropic breathwork was developed by Stanislav Grof as an alternative to LSD-based psychedelic therapy. It can be performed at home, or with an accompanying professional in a safe setting.

3. Epsom Salt Baths

After a long day, it can be hard to resist the relaxing allure of a hot bath. Much like a sauna, a bath’s high heat and steam are effective at warming the body and soothing the mind. However, if you’re looking to take your baths to the next level, you might want to consider Epsom salts.

Epsom salts primarily contain magnesium sulfate, which breaks down and dissolves when added to bathwater. Some Epsom salt products claim that their magnesium content can be absorbed through the skin or body for the purposes of relaxation, but there’s no research to support this. However, Epsom salt can increase the buoyancy of your bathwater, which can aid relaxation by allowing the water to support your body, thereby relaxing your muscles.

4. Meditation

Enjoy the rejuvenating effects of a full-body massage and reflexology session by yourself or with a partner.

Meditation could be described as the process of attaining mental clarity and emotional stability through conscious thought or focus. Although meditation’s roots exist in South Asia, the practice has become immensely popular abroad and in the Western world, where it largely focuses on stress reduction and relaxation.

Although meditation can be daunting for beginners, there are many apps and online services (such as Headspace and Calm) that can make your first foray into the world of meditation much less intimidating. 

5. Natural Alternatives

Humans have been using cannabis for thousands of years. However, in recent years, the plant has experienced a surge in popularity as a natural and holistic source of stress-reduction.

Natural cannabis contains hundreds of compounds, but researchers have attributed cannabis’ stress-reducing properties to two cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). When we ingest cannabis, THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids synergize to produce sensations of relaxation and well-being. In fact, research suggests that it is so effective at promoting relaxation that cannabis and CBD can even induce sleep. 

If you’re not keen on the idea of consuming THC, no worries! Studies have demonstrated that the non-psychoactive CBD is also an effective stress-killer. 

Another natural route would be exploring the world of kratom — an evergreen plant in the coffee family that grows natively throughout Southeast Asia. For centuries, locals have used kratom leaves to improve their mood and stave off fatigue during long work hours. Similarly, today’s global kratom users rely on the plant’s natural properties to recuperate from stress and soothe aches and pains. 

Because the alkaloid content of kratom leaves can vary from leaf-to-leaf, kratom sellers offer a diverse assortment of kratom variants, or “strains” — some of which are more conducive to relaxation than others.

6. Art Therapy

When all else fails, the power of music, dance, or any other form of art is a phenomenal way to reconnect with the pulse of humans around you and calm the mind through focus. Once you’re in the moment of a drum circle or deep in the process of creating a sculpture, studies have shown that certain art forms induce theta brainwave entrainment, which sets the stage for reduced anxiety and stress. Not only will these activities improve your mood on a biological level, but they’re also fun to do with friends or by yourself!

Wrapping Up

While it might be tempting to reach for your favorite snacks or alcohol to relax, many holistic relaxation techniques offer similar benefits while fostering good health. After giving one of these strategies a try, we think you’ll agree!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry, collaborating with industry insiders and designers, and getting insight into the latest trends.

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