There are some things that not only soothe you or calm you down, but make you feel great. Here are 5 things that make me feel relaxed and happy.

Lone Nature Walks – The fresh air, the pretty scenery, and the solitude makes me feel free and alive. I love forests, walks around the lake, river strolls, or sunset chasing at the beach. These moments are so good for the mind and they satisfy that wanderlust I sometimes feel.

Traveling By Bus – There’s just something about hopping on a bus to take a trip somewhere. Whether it’s taking transit to visit another part of the city or a commercial bus that takes me further away, I love staring out the window while listening to music.

Rain – I love a soft, soothing rain. If it’s foggy, it’ll make me want to wander out to a trail and bask in it. There’s something so calming about falling rain. I even love it when I’m inside and listening to it patter on my window. The grey skies are also pretty easy on the eyes.

Stretching – There’s a reason why people pay for yoga classes. Those stretches have major health benefits for the mind and body (And don’t worry, you don’t have to get into the spiritual side of yoga!). A good stretch before bed or after a workout can help relieve tight muscles while allowing your mind to unwind. It also prevents headaches. 🙂

Watching/Reading Inspiring Content – Social media has its toxic side. We all know it. Just like anything, social media is what you make of it. If we follow channels that make us feel good and inspire us, it can be beneficial. When I tune into an inspiring video, podcast, picture, or blog post, it makes me feel good and that deep sigh I make when I watch enjoyable content helps me feel relaxed.

Tea – There’s something about that warm, delicious, yet calorie free drink that makes me feel settled and calm. From the way that the steam magically rises and dances above the cup to the warmth in my hands, tea is such a therapeutic drink.

(Photo by Natalie from Pexels)