The last few years have been anything but easy. From a global pandemic to hyperinflation, let’s just say… things can get stressful!

But you’re not alone, and the truth is, as hectic as things are, there are always things within your control that you can do to relax and recharge in 2022. So, it’s time to take matters into your own hands with our top tips to help you rest and reset.

Do Something You Enjoy

One of the most obvious ways to relax and recharge is to spend time doing something you enjoy. That might be reading a book, dancing around your kitchen to your favorite playlist, or catching up with friends over margaritas.

There’s no right or wrong here… it’s simply about making time for yourself and doing something you genuinely enjoy.

So often, we’re so busy in the hustle and bustle of life that we don’t take the time for the things that bring us joy. If you’re feeling drained, venting with a friend or having a beach day on your own can make a world of difference.

Reduce Screen Time

Screen time is a new phenomenon that our biology is simply not used to. The blue light that emits from our screens can seriously mess with our circadian rhythm. 

But not only that, what we do when we spend time on our screens is usually the opposite of energizing. Most of our screen time involves either passive engagement or comparing ourselves to others – neither of which makes us feel recharged.

So, for both these reasons, reduce your screen time when you feel like you need a break.

Connect with Nature

There’s something incredibly powerful about the calming effects of nature. Studies have shown that even photos of greenery can calm down our nervous system. 

Evolutionarily speaking, humans and nature are one and the same, and by reconnecting with the natural world, we come back to something primal and calming. 

Simply taking a walk in nature on the weekends or swimming in natural waters like a lake or the ocean can be completely transformative to your mental and physical well being, aiding in relaxation and calmness.

Meditation 

While the word meditation may seem scary to some, it’s actually something that we all engage with – sometimes without even realizing it. 

Meditation can be as simple as focusing on your breath for 5 minutes in the morning, or it can be found in the experience of cooking or going for a run.

Again, there’s no right or wrong way to meditate. Instead, the point is to notice your thoughts and let them pass without spiraling from one worry to the next. 

It’s about having a focal point or a mantra that allows you to step away from your thoughts and into the present moment. 

Breathwork

Related to meditation is breathwork, another calming tool that many people practice when they need to relax and reset. 

There are a variety of breathwork styles you can do, from a deep inhale and exhale whenever you start to feel overwhelmed to alternate nostril breathing, which is a yogic technique that’s said to balance the body and mind.

You might also try belly breathing where you move from shallow breaths of the chest into deep breaths of the belly. Or you can work to extend your exhalations, making them longer than your inhalations for therapeutic benefits. 

Release Physical Tension

When we’re stressed or overwhelmed, it’s normal to hold that tension somewhere in our physical bodies. So, releasing that physical tension through exercising, foam rolling, or stretching can be hugely beneficial for relaxation.

All kinds of exercise can warm up your muscles and loosen any tension that might be stuck in the body. However, workouts like HIIT are particularly useful for releasing tension, giving you a healthy outlet for using any aggression or negative emotions you might be experiencing.

At the end of the day, stress and frustration are normal parts of life, but with exercise and other physical practices, you can help yourself relax some of the pent-up tension in a healthy way.

Download the OOMPH app today and try one of our hundreds of kickboxing workouts to help you relax and recharge!