08/15/2026
Today is National Relaxation Day! 😌
To celebrate, you can focus on engaging in a well-rounded routine that rests not just your physical body, but your mind, spirit, and heart, too!
Finding relaxation goes deeper than just tending to your tight muscles. If racing thoughts, strong emotions, overstimulation, and inner turmoil are still present, no amount of shoulder massages are going to help. You can use this tool to find ways to address each section's need for rest and relaxation!
🌿Physical: Most of us likely think of this section when considering rest and relaxation. Getting adequate sleep, relaxing knotted muscles, or finding gentle ways to move your body all contribute to resting physically.
🌿Mental: These are the activities your therapist has likely been encouraging for months! Mental rest refers to sorting and slowing your thoughts. Meditation, journaling, and slowing down are great ways to reduce mental fatigue and rest that busy mind.
🌿Emotional: These tools focus on soothing your inner experience so that the inside of your head can be a pleasant place to be. Self compassion, using your support system, and emotional reflection are great ways to rest emotionally.
🌿Social: Social rest can look different from person to person, but whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert, this list can be individualized for you. Social fatigue can overcome anyone, but spending time with people who refill your cup, and having meaningful, quality interactions are key to productively resting in this section.
🌿Intellectual: Getting intellectual rest often looks like engaging your brain in the things that bring you joy! So whether you're a bookworm, a chess expert, or a podcast connoisseur, ensuring that you're contacting intellectually stimulating content for enjoyment is crucial.
🌿Spiritual: Our spirits rest when we feel at peace inside and out, so choosing activities that make you feel connected, belonging, and hopeful are great ways to rest your spirit.
🌿Sensory: We live in a fast-paced, highly stimulating world, and while that can be very exciting, our nervous systems often feel the weight of it. Finding time to disconnect and slow down is important.