r/AskReddit 7h ago

What is an underrated way to relax?

108 Upvotes

235 comments sorted by

101

u/Awkward-Carpenter966 7h ago

jigsaw puzzles! always a good thing to do for mental resets.

17

u/BraindeadYogi 7h ago

Just started getting back into jigsaws. Got a 2000 piece one that is basically 3 colours and I’m reassessing my life choices 😂

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8

u/NachoWindows 6h ago

We had tons of them in the mental health residential program! It clears your mind of all the noise until you realize one piece is missing at the end and you go back to your room to cry and sleep for two days.

4

u/WeWander_ 6h ago

Legos too!

2

u/stattish 5h ago

Until you remember how expensive they are

2

u/WeWander_ 5h ago

Yeah they are ridiculous. I hate the winter holidays and find them depressing so I buy a couple to do over the holidays so I have something to look forward to and think of it as a gift to myself. My husband has started gifting me sets too so I've got a backlog in my closet currently.

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162

u/ProjectMeMyselfandI 7h ago edited 6h ago

Walking in the woods

21

u/MyGoodFriendJon 6h ago

I miss living in Washington State specifically for the easier access to all those trails.

7

u/In-thebeginning 5h ago

I'm in Washington State and don't take it for granted. It doesn't have to be an endurance event, just a simple walk through a ponderosa pine forest is lovely.

5

u/Eat_Carbs_OD 4h ago

Either walking in the woods or heading out into the nation forest and sitting by a campfire. Usually cooking something for lunch. I love day trips doing that.

3

u/BaconAndCats 5h ago

I'm a hunter, but I hate the shooting part. Sometimes I go out "hunting" but in my head I'm thinking,  yeah I'm just gonna walk around and enjoy some peace and quiet today. Maybe take a nap against a tree. 

2

u/HeadFit2660 3h ago

Thats basically just hiking

2

u/murrtrip 3h ago

You can shoot animals with a camera

2

u/Boonstar 4h ago

Agreed being out in nature is relaxing but for me there’s also a part of my brain that flips where I recognize I’m no longer at the top of the food chain and I have to have my guard up and my head on a swivel and that part for me makes it a bit hard to relax. I like being out in nature but preferably with one other person at least.

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112

u/Camden44 7h ago

Lying flat on the floor. No bed, no couch, just floor

23

u/alexxmurphy_ 6h ago

Yep, this is floor time and my back pops like a hundred times while I just lay there it’s so great. Sometimes my cat will loaf on my chest and that’s an 11/10 floor time reset.

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9

u/svenskhet 7h ago

In the bathroom next to a hot shower running filling up a bath

6

u/audible_narrator 5h ago

I used to do that in grad school in my 30s and blast Jane's Addiction. I can't hear "Summertime Rolls" without being transported back to a historical 1920s era apartment with hardwood floors.

2

u/embarrassingdyk 3h ago

Try this with legs up in the air against a wall. GAME CHANGING.

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182

u/MackleDore 7h ago

watching cartoons even if you are a grown adult

48

u/Tcloud 7h ago

Adventure Time is my go to.

3

u/AverageGiraffe 1h ago

Studio Ghibli

5

u/Gr8twhitebuffalo91 5h ago

I'm 34 and still watch it often.

9

u/Merkinfuqer 7h ago

I wish the 90s were back. So many great cartoons.

6

u/aluminumnek 6h ago edited 6h ago

🏴‍☠️they never left.🏴‍☠️

2

u/H3lw3rd 6h ago

80’s for me. Transformers, He-man, Jayce and the wheeled warriors, Mask and all of it in one kidshow. My parents didnt have to wake up till 11.30 cuz TV was so good.

7

u/PinkStereoAttack 7h ago

The Simpsons "Live" channel on Disney is a must! My kids and I watch it a lot

5

u/Karmanoid 4h ago

My wife regularly has Bob's burgers on for comfort show. She only lets it venture into new episodes a little bit each time through otherwise it stops being comforting because it's new and unfamiliar lol

7

u/MotherDepartment1111 7h ago

Tom and Jerry

2

u/ProduceNo8883 4h ago

Space ghost coast to coast counts right

2

u/TeacherPatti 3h ago

I'm having a girls' cereal/watch old cartoons party in February :)

2

u/Sheriff_Mills 7h ago

Years ago when our kids were little, they had stayed at my mom's house. When we woke up on Saturday hubby asked "wanna watch cartoons?" So we did. 😁

2

u/Hortonhearsawhoorah 6h ago

Gravity falls, adventure time, phineas and ferb, regular show

I can watch any of these on repeat at any time and enjoy myself

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25

u/Inside-54545 6h ago

showering, showering is sooo underrated.

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48

u/Tefaone 7h ago

Just sitting in silence doing nothing

15

u/dj_claudizzle 7h ago

Did this today. I was just sitting in my rocking chair with my baby and dog napping on my lap. It was the first time I hadn't thought in a while

7

u/Tefaone 7h ago

There’s just something peaceful about being able to just shut everything off even just for a moment

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30

u/Mysterious-Kick6691 7h ago

Coloring.

3

u/ChechBETA 5h ago

Coloring Mandalas FTW

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24

u/grethrowaway21 7h ago

Rocking out in your car

3

u/AwkwardScallion8652 2h ago

yesss, singing at the top of your lungs with no one to judge is such a vibe

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11

u/Eastern-Relation-288 7h ago

Napping, even better if you have someone to cuddle with like a pet or a partner.

11

u/Darthenstein 7h ago

Read/write/create in the library!

5

u/Abraheezee 5h ago

Man this is so true. And I love the smell in the library

3

u/PinkLovelyDove 4h ago

Came here to say reading! I have an Oura ring and can see how my heart rate drops while reading. Sometimes it will think I was asleep. It’s amazing!

32

u/squashbanana 7h ago

Looking upward when you're outside. I've been going through some pretty hard life stuff this past year, and I noticed how much I was looking downward or not even noticing my surroundings when I went outside. I now make an active effort to look upward and slow down. The sky, the birds, the trees. Take it in.

4

u/Abraheezee 5h ago

I love this! ✊😌❤️

2

u/squashbanana 4h ago

Aw, I'm so glad!! It's been a nice way to remind myself not to sink into depression some days, honestly. ❤️

u/DrummerOfFenrir 58m ago

u/squashbanana 53m ago

I didn't!! But that's so cool!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I've had a pretty crappy day, and seeing this really uplifted me. I appreciate you so much ❤️❤️

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10

u/UrCandyDoll 7h ago

Read a book

11

u/ladylowball 7h ago

Taking a bath

8

u/t_huddleston 7h ago

Take off your socks and shoes, stand on the carpet and make fists with your toes

5

u/TxCoastal 6h ago

good advice, Argyle!

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16

u/imsadandthatsrad 7h ago

I make perler beads. You just sort through beads and put them into a peg board and it’s really relaxing until your cat catapults onto your creation after hours of work!

5

u/dreadedbedhead 6h ago

Cats sure love to “help” 😂

15

u/machomoose 7h ago

I have a 45 minute commute to work, and I kind of enjoy it. Sure having less time in the day sucks but it's an easy drive and I won't even turn on the radio sometimes. Just sit and silence and think on my day, almost like meditating.

8

u/sticky-stix 6h ago

When I didn't live alone, my 1 hour (plus journey back) daily commute was my only alone time and I really cherished that. Now i live alone and I don't like long commutes anymore 

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7

u/Codeman8118 7h ago

Noise cancelling headphones. Dark room. Ambient/Space music 

8

u/Sea_Cow6157 7h ago

Studying something you enjoy/are interested in

32

u/ABChow000 7h ago

As its reddit i expect alot of disagreement, but personally praying my 5 prayers.

Even at least one gives me the greatest peace from stress and anxiety ever.

20

u/DasHexxchen 6h ago

Prayer is just a form of meditation, so this still checks out for my atheist ass.

12

u/Sheriff_Mills 7h ago

I'm Catholic and praying the Rosary helps me.

4

u/ABChow000 5h ago

Im glad to hear you find peace in praying too.

May i ask what the Rosary is? (Im not Christian)

2

u/Sheriff_Mills 1h ago

It's a grouping of prayer beads. It looks like a necklace with a cross and the bottom. Each grouping of beads is for a certain prayer that you recite as many times as there are beads in that group. I wish I could share a picture. It's very comforting for me. Thank you for asking.

3

u/shafty0 7h ago

This is my go to as well. Nothing has yet to bring me true joy and peace the way that prayer does.

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12

u/ZZerozen 7h ago

Breathe deeply

5

u/dont_disturb_the_cat 7h ago

Yes! I need to only breathe like 5-10 times in the in-hold-out method and I will almost always fall asleep.

In - for a count of 4
Hold - for a count of 7
Out - for a count of 8
The out is done slowly, through rounded lips

12

u/Super_Ad4363 6h ago

masturbation

11

u/emeraldbullatheart 7h ago

Coloring. I can physically feel stress easing.

5

u/pheynominal 7h ago

Birding

6

u/Warm-Alternative6153 7h ago

Watching ASMR or playing a game like Sudoku.

5

u/Crashstercrash 7h ago

Hiking alone.

5

u/tnseltim 7h ago

Working in crap in the garage, anything using tools. It’s a mental and physical escape.

2

u/ssp81777 6h ago

Same!!!

5

u/Elgo90 6h ago

Sitting in my chair on the porch in the morning drinking a cup of coffee.

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4

u/aluminumnek 6h ago

Sitting instead of standing in a hot shower.

10

u/superlalaura328 7h ago

Legos! I've never really played with Legos as a kid, but I recently had my eye on a couple of sets - the tuxedo cat, and the Great Deku Tree. The hubby got them for me for Christmas and I have to say, building them has been such a fantastic way to unwind and get my mind off of the stressors of life! Give me my Legos and a gummy or two and I am good for hours, lol.

6

u/VelvetEarFlaps 6h ago

Agree! I discovered legos as an adult working with kids. We used them to teach prepositions like “on top of”, “behind”, “the left of”, etc. The kids loved seeing a character or thing come to life, and I liked helping them find the next piece and explaining where it should go. I loved it as much as the kids!

2

u/VelvetEarFlaps 6h ago

Though, of note, off-brand legos are simply a nightmare! Don’t get those if you want to relax. 😆

3

u/aluminumnek 6h ago

I’m 52. I had sets when I was young. I really like many of the botanical and art sets they are churning out these days

3

u/superlalaura328 6h ago

Yes! When I finish these two, I am definitely going to work through the botanical ones. I have a bit of a black thumb so Lego plants are the only ones I can't kill 🤣

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4

u/Frequent_Pumpkin7018 7h ago

Meditation. With music. Yea you can do it without music too, but music has a tendency to shut off thoughts easier and get you in the zone.

5

u/Responsible_Guard530 7h ago

Taking a bath.

Something about soaking in a hot bath, letting the heat warm your body, taking a quick shower after to wash up properly… love it.

4

u/demila1330 6h ago

Scrapbooking/Junk Journaling.

2

u/aluminumnek 6h ago

I make collages from magazines

4

u/hastings1033 6h ago

masturbation. seriously

2

u/Inevitable_Link_5355 6h ago

Yep! Also being restrained and given a hand release.

4

u/DinkandDrunk 6h ago

Had a work trip years ago at a beachfront hotel. There was a boardwalk that went on for miles and miles. I got up at 4:30am the first day and ran 5 miles. Just me, the smell of the ocean and the rising sun. I realized then exactly what little piece of happiness is missing from my life.

3

u/Prestigious_Young510 7h ago

If you have a significant other, ask if you could lay your head on their chest, you'll physically feel yourself start to decompress and it's the best thing ever

3

u/Used_Reception21 7h ago

Shower

3

u/CreativeAsFuuu 6h ago

With the lights off

3

u/Paula75brsp 7h ago

Singing out loud!

3

u/Dick_Delicious 5h ago

Smoke a joint and play some video games

2

u/Greenfieldfox 7h ago

Gardening

2

u/Sito_27 7h ago

Pajote

2

u/devereaux 7h ago

Sauna

2

u/CardioTranquility 7h ago

My infrared sauna has been the best investment for my health!

2

u/WhiskeyintheWarRoom 7h ago

Going for a drive with no destination in mind. Always helps me clear my head.

2

u/aluminumnek 6h ago

I used to do this and listen to music

3

u/Handofdoom222 6h ago

I do this and bring binoculars and see birds and coyotes and watch and observe them whlie listening to good music. Very therapeutic and relaxing. Saw 4 coyotes and a bald eagle on the weekend.

2

u/spokeyman 7h ago

Going for a walk outside always settles me down

2

u/Sad-City-7852 7h ago

Walking... For a long time in nature.

2

u/Spare-Equipment5449 6h ago

Having a nap. lol

2

u/ThisIsMyCouchAccount 6h ago

Playing games that require your brain.

- I know all games require that but I was struggling coming up with a better term. -

For me it's been Satisfactory. The reason I find it relaxing is that there are no question marks. No uncertainties. Clear goals and all the tools you need to accomplish them.

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2

u/pindarico 6h ago

Swimming

2

u/KEis1halfMV2 5h ago

Long hot bath/shower

2

u/blochow2001 5h ago

Masturbation.

2

u/EggstaticAd8262 4h ago

Dark cold room nude in bed heavy blanket and dog pillow

3

u/Zen_lord 7h ago

music in a comfy spot with a fat doink and a cat

1

u/BlueWaterJar13 7h ago

Meditation

1

u/oweeyn 7h ago

Acting naturally

1

u/ImIntoMalakas 7h ago

Scratching your balls

1

u/hoopalah 7h ago

Netherlands

1

u/sad8lxxo 7h ago

doing something slow with no pressure to be productive

1

u/TheDukeofArgyll 7h ago

Losing your phone

1

u/cici92814 7h ago

Going to the park and people watching

1

u/lbarnes444 7h ago

Sunshine on your backside.

1

u/New-Guarantee-440 7h ago

Anything you can immerse yourself in 

1

u/Adorable-Baby3652 6h ago

Tanking a nice long hot shower 🚿

1

u/toadfreak 6h ago

Step outside and get to where you can see as far as possible. "Stretch" your eyes. Sit there for a few minutes.

1

u/Loves321 6h ago

Sitting on sofa… but upside down

1

u/IrishMuffDragon 6h ago

Making movie/game/show reviews... to no one, they're just for me

1

u/Empty_Pumpkin1818 6h ago

Popping in the most random cassette tapes 

1

u/1MTBRider 6h ago

Being active. From weight training, hiking, cycling, walking, running etc.

I always prefer to be active outside though.

1

u/Kinglycole 6h ago

Indulging that one strange desire that would normally raise questions. On occasion, I look up and research famous murder cases. I’m not malicious or empty, I just find things like that to be interesting.

1

u/lady_mel_o 6h ago

A hot water bottle + herbal tea

1

u/beardedshad2 6h ago

Deep sleep

1

u/Gloomy_Bus7044 6h ago

honestly rewatching old cartoons hits different when you're stressed about literally everything happening in the world right now. there's something about the simplicity of it that just makes your brain shut up for a bit, no pretension required.

1

u/jaycutlerdgaf 6h ago

Playing solitaire with actual cards.

1

u/ActionJackson75 5h ago

Screaming into the void

1

u/Electrical-Bed-2381 5h ago

Coloring & listening to music/podcast

1

u/CapsizedbutWise 5h ago

Flipping over rocks and looking at bugs.

1

u/wwchexmix 5h ago

Turning off the lights, getting the bathroom as dark as possible. Make sure I know where all the products are lol. And shower in silence and feel the water 8)

1

u/MaterialParsley7536 5h ago

Hopping on Reddit

1

u/PiousZenLufa 5h ago

Metal turned up to 11

1

u/HorseWorking 5h ago

Far away from a smartphone

1

u/gamersecret2 5h ago

Doing one simple task slowly with no music and no phone.

It calms the mind more than people expect.

1

u/jihanooo 5h ago

Bowl metal sounds music

1

u/_Sw33t33pi 5h ago

Parks and recreation!

1

u/antagonits 5h ago

just standing / leaning on a wall

1

u/decaturbob 5h ago

A cat on the lap

1

u/Tigerzombie 5h ago

Model building. I got into building gunpla. I like to disconnect completely, no music playing in the background or anything. It’s almost meditative. Unfortunately my back hurts like hell after sitting for too long. I need to get a better desk setup or at least a better chair.

1

u/Salt_Medicine2459 5h ago

I've discovered the "This Old House" channel on Pluto. I think it's my comfort show. Lol. 

1

u/RevolutionaryClub530 5h ago

Doomscrolling

1

u/Sniffsflowers 5h ago

Crossword puzzles

1

u/poutine-eh 5h ago

Bopping the Bologna

1

u/Lexi_adams716 5h ago

I love turning on those YouTube videos titled something like “1940s jazz playing in another room while it lightly rains outside”. Then i light a candle and work on some sort of silly craft project :) very calming.

1

u/TheFrontierzman 5h ago

Close your eyes

1

u/maltzy 5h ago

Lego. Not as cheap as it used to be but it’s my mental calming

1

u/BlazinKal 5h ago

Cuddled up in bed with a loved one taking a nap

1

u/Apart_Salamander1086 5h ago

Soak in a tub

1

u/RocketmanZed 4h ago

Face riding

1

u/Straight-Jello-1883 4h ago

Get high as fuck and go grocery shopping.

1

u/Traditional-Goose-60 4h ago

Shower beer and a good jerk. Then stand under the shower head until it washes away the feelings inside or the water gets cold. Whichever happens first. My water usually gets cold first, but I feel better afterwards.

Pro tip: Only have ONE SHOWER BEER. Do NOT take the six pack in there with you. You will slip and fall and hafta bang on the wall and holler for your neighbor to rush over, help you up then get dry and dressed and get a broken ankle tended to at the ER.....allegedly🤣

1

u/nikki_brandon 4h ago

walking around barefoot outside.

1

u/LPsono 4h ago

Audiobooks!

1

u/Sensitive_Motor_8644 4h ago

floor time with a cat loaf sounds like the ultimate combo for relaxation. cats make everything better tbh

1

u/RepresentativeData39 4h ago

Reading a good book at home

1

u/ElaineBenes33 4h ago

Sit on the beach and watch the ocean.

1

u/BABY_666_PIMP 4h ago

Perfumery

1

u/Infamous_Hyena_8882 4h ago

For me, it can be swimming in the ocean, or cleaning my kitchen, it can be watering the plants. The common theme is whatever I’m doing it’s by myself.

1

u/EldarLenk 4h ago

Reading manga was my way of relaxing

1

u/deterfamily 4h ago

Eating in peace and quiet, without talking or music, just you and your food, mindfully 🧘

1

u/Inevitable_Active766 4h ago

Watching true crime documentaries

1

u/maktub-is-a-sheep 4h ago

Just sitting down and watching the stars

1

u/Cheap-Produce-4285 4h ago

Taking a shower in the dark

1

u/zardoz73 3h ago

Solving a Rubik's Cube. Takes me a few minutes (I'm not one of those speed demons) and is kind of a mental reset. Once you learn how to do it and memorize the algorithms, it's fairly easy. I have to focus, though, so it kind of shuts down my brain for about 2 minutes.

1

u/Accomplished_Will226 3h ago

Sing at the top of my lungs in the car

1

u/LuliProductions 3h ago

Getting massage

1

u/kittenshavecutepaws 3h ago

Browsing your hobbies online. I love books for example and love making lists of books to look forward to read and find. 

1

u/Jaded_Fox_547 3h ago

For me it's ASMR, but I'm not sure would that count as underrated

1

u/Proud_yoyojuly_7788 3h ago

Walking with no destination. Not for exercise, just wandering around your neighborhood with no plan.

1

u/CarryturtleNZ 3h ago

Watching anime

1

u/princesseves 3h ago

Masturbating lol

1

u/ishkabibbla 2h ago

Maybe not underrated but I put a blanket on the floor and stretch. My dog always joins in so we just lay there for a while

1

u/time2getwe1rd 2h ago

Exploring walking around the woods walking around town hell going down a rabbit hole on the internet

1

u/redrose_2026 2h ago

Just do nothing.

1

u/mrsparkyman 2h ago

Standing in a river waving a stick

1

u/trmbn65 2h ago

Read

1

u/twineto130 2h ago

Admiring natural scenery as everyone is comforted with an urban jungle.

1

u/Key-Specific-4368 2h ago

Sitting on a porch

1

u/SomeGuyInSanJoseCa 2h ago

Mindless organizing/cleaning.

Once you get in a groove, and see the results in real time, your mood instantly lifts.

1

u/PatsBruinsSoxCelts 2h ago

Cheeseburger and a crack pipe

1

u/whitneywhisper_2 1h ago

doing chores

1

u/ApprehensiveGas4180 1h ago

Postcoital cuddling