Everyone talks about self-care and taking breaks, but when things get properly stressful, the usual stuff doesn’t always cut it. A bubble bath is nice and all, but sometimes it just doesn’t touch the stress sitting in your chest or buzzing around your brain. That’s where the weird stuff comes in. These four ideas are a little out of the ordinary, but they’re simple, low effort, and way more effective than they first sound. If nothing else has worked lately, it might be time to try something different
Try floating like you’re in space
One of the strangest but most effective ways to relax is floating in a sensory deprivation tank. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s actually becoming a pretty popular way to unwind. The tank is filled with warm salt water, and the body just floats there weightless, with no light, sound, or movement. It doesn’t take long before the brain starts to quiet down. With no distractions, no notifications, and nothing to process, the whole system gets a chance to pause. People often leave feeling lighter, calmer, and completely reset. For anyone who finds it hard to switch off, this can feel like hitting the restart button.
Deep sound
Some sounds have a way of relaxing the body almost instantly, and gongs are one of them. In a sound bath session, the deep tones created by gongs and other instruments are played in a slow, steady rhythm while everyone lies still and listens. It’s not music in the traditional sense, but it does something powerful. The low, resonating sounds help to slow breathing, drop the heart rate, and create a sense of calm. It’s the kind of relaxation that sneaks up without needing to do anything at all. Just lie back and let the sound roll over everything. For people who find silence too loud, this can be a really gentle alternative.
Doodling
Drawing without a goal is one of the easiest ways to calm a busy brain. There’s no need to be good at it. Doodling random shapes, patterns, or even colouring in a printed page can be enough. The repetitive movement helps quiet the noise in the head and brings attention back to something simple. It works especially well when feeling restless or overstimulated. Even five or ten minutes of scribbling can take the edge off a long day. No one’s going to see it, and that’s the point. There’s no pressure to create anything perfect. It’s just a quiet moment with a pen and paper.
Clean
There’s something surprisingly relaxing about cleaning a small space. Not a full deep clean, just one little job. Clearing out a drawer, organising a shelf, or wiping down the inside of a fridge door can make a real difference. It gives the brain something clear and manageable to focus on. And when it’s done, there’s that little boost of satisfaction from completing something. When everything feels messy or stressful, fixing one thing can bring a sense of calm and control back into the day.
