Five Quirky Yet Effective Ways People Relax Friday 12 August, 2022

After a long and tedious day at work or running your household, it’s perfectly understandable to want to find a way to relax and unwind at the end of it. Whether it’s with a long soak in the bathtub or it’s a binge-watching session of your favorite show on TV, taking the time to de-stress and put yourself at ease is an absolute must.

But did you know that people across the globe also have their own unique ways of relaxing? While there’s often a universal element to it, there are also a few ways that are completely specific to a region. If you’re starting to find that your go-to relaxation techniques aren’t working, why not try one of these five methods instead?

Spend Time At a Sauna

In some parts of Russia, people like to go to something called the “banya,” or a hot sauna. Now, this isn’t to be confused with the hot tubs and spas that are popular in many parts of the western world. Instead, these are rooms that have been traditionally heated up with firewood to create an enveloping plume of steam to cloak your body.

And yes, it’s definitely going to completely cloak it – tradition dictates that you completely skivvy down for a session at the banya. Also, don’t be surprised if someone tries to talk to you while there. Friends often tend to go together, and they generally spend the time talking to one another. Afterward, you’ll feel like a brand-new person!

Throw Plates At the Wall

In Kyoto, Japan, one of the go-to ways of letting all that tension out is by throwing plates at the wall. If you think about it, it actually makes perfect sense. We’ve all been there, so tense and stressed out that we felt like we could break something. That said, throwing things at the wall can be a great way to let off some steam and regain your composure.

Just make sure you’re doing it in a controlled environment and you’re using all safety precautions to avoid accidental injury. Be sure to use goggles, and avoid accidentally stepping on any broken shards. And once those plates are broken, why not repair them again with kintsugi, a Japanese technique of using gold to fix broken pottery?

Grab a Sweet Treat

Most – if not all of us – have been there. It’s 2 p.m., we’re in our midday slump, and we’re desperate for a strong cup of coffee and maybe a pastry to wash it down with. Well, if you’re in Sweden when that urge strikes, then you’ve come to the right place. Known as “fika,” this is a midday mini-meal that is designed to help you unwind during the most tense part of your day.

This tradition goes all the way back to the 18th century, and it usually involves a strong cup of coffee and a delicious treat to go with it. Even better, you can invite your friends to enjoy your fika with you. What better way to clear your mind and make you ready to head back to work than something chocolatey and a gab-session with your best friends?

Turn to Nature

Isn’t it strange that turning to nature is considered “quirky” these days? But there are so many natural options available if you’re just wanting to relax. Essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, orange, sandalwood, clary sage, lemon, and bergamot can be used in aromatherapy. Don’t just put a few drops in your bath–oil floats on water. However, you can use a diffuser or vaporizer to help take your stress and anxiety levels down a few levels. Another type of oil you may have heard of is CBD oil drops. These are thought to help promote relaxation in addition to other benefits. And then there’s the act of getting out into nature itself! Have you heard of “forest bathing?” Hike in the woods, float down the river, go camping. Get out into nature and notice the difference in your stress levels.

Enjoy a Scalp Massage

If you’re wanting to really relax and make your body feel like a melted pile of bliss, why don’t you follow in the footsteps of certain parts of India? Or rather, the headsteps. Getting your head massaged is a tradition that goes back literally thousands of years in India, and their Ayurvedic texts outline the benefits of it in clear detail.

Not only can a head and scalp massage help balance your chakra (or energy center), but it can help dissolve your stress away, banish that tension headache that’s been blooming at the base of your skull all day, and even help improve your lymphatic system. Don’t worry if you fall asleep, either. That’s completely normal and all part of the benefits of getting one of these massages!

There you have it: five proven ways to help you relax and unwind. While some may be more unconventional than others, they’re all sure-fire ways to help you start to feel better when your stress levels seem at an all-time high. Whether you enlist a buddy to help you de-stress or you go at it solo, though, you’ll love how at ease you feel afterward when you try these methods!

About the Blogger - Kiwi the Beauty


Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching. Follow her on her blog and social media at kiwithebeauty.com + @kiwithebeauty

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2 Comments

  • Jeff says:

    I’ve never thought of throwing plates at a wall but it does sound very stress relieving. I just throw on some of my favourite music (not too quirky though).

  • Furniture Mosaic Design says:

    Throw plates at the wall, I LOVE IT!!! This might be the best way for me to let go off some steam…


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