New Year's Package is now available. Come and celebrate New Year's at Oakwell Beer Spa!
New Year's Package is now available. Come and celebrate New Year's at Oakwell Beer Spa!
New Year's Package is now available. Come and celebrate New Year's at Oakwell Beer Spa!
New Year's Package is now available. Come and celebrate New Year's at Oakwell Beer Spa!

13 Fun Activities to Relieve Stress (Great Ideas for Anyone!)

The American Psychological Association has found that stress has reached alarming levels after a global pandemic, inflation, and other world and everyday situations. No matter why you may be experiencing stress or anxiety, fun activities to relieve stress can make things easier. Below, we’ll share our favorite research-back activities that can offer a sense of calm and a time to enjoy life. We have something for everyone, including making a new recipe, redecorating your space, creating an at-home spa day, or playing tourist in your city.  You might also be interested in reading: A Practical Self-Care Sunday: 25 Ideas to Recharge

Why are fun activities to relieve stress important?

Experiencing stress is a natural part of life, so effectively managing it is essential for a long, happy, and healthy life. In fact, one study found that high stress levels can lead to severe medical and social issues. While it's normal to experience stress, it's important to have ways to reduce stress. Otherwise, your physical and mental health can suffer. Severe stress can also affect your ability to think clearly, be productive, and appreciate life. The good news about stress? You can control it. Although stressors are inevitable, ample research shows that finding ways to relieve stress can help you feel better.

What activities can I do to relieve stress?

With busy work days and endless chores, it can be challenging to find time to relax. But prioritizing this time is essential. Even if you only have a few extra minutes daily for stress relief activities, this can make a significant difference. Life's meant to be enjoyed, so let's check out some fun activities to relieve stress and find peace in your life! First, here's a quick overview:
  1. Make a new recipe.
  2. Have a dance party.
  3. Go on a friend date.
  4. Create an at-home spa day.
  5. Do a new exercise routine or class.
  6. Redecorate your space.
  7. Play a board game.
  8. Hang out at your local park.
  9. Start or tend to a garden.
  10. Plan a vacation.
  11. Play tourist in your own city.
  12. Have a movie marathon.
  13. Doodle in an adult coloring book.

1. Make a new recipe.

Do you like to cook? If so, making new recipes is the perfect stress reliever. Preparing and cooking food is one of the best fun activities to relieve stress because it allows you to connect with your 5 senses, which is scientifically proven to calm anxiety. man in the kitchen cooking

2. Have a dance party.

We love this calming activity because it can be done in as little or much time as you want. Create a playlist of all your favorite songs to dance to and have a mini or full-on dance party. This is also great exercise, which we all know is great for feeling better!

3. Go on a friend date.

Social support is one of the most scientifically supported ways to improve mental health. Spending time with friends and loved ones can boost resilience to stress and improve anxiety.  Finding time to hang out with friends can be difficult. Prioritize this time by planning ahead or incorporating your friend date into your daily routine, like having lunch with a friend once a week or a quick coffee between errands.

4. Create an at-home spa day.

Sometimes spending time unwinding at home is the perfect recipe for relieving stress. And an at-home spa day is an excellent way to do this. This is also great because you can easily incorporate this into your routine by doing this in between your weekend chores or staying up an hour later on a Saturday night. Check out Oakwell Beer Spa shop to treat yourself to unique beer-inspired products for your at-home spa day. Order items like beer-infused shampoos and lotions, an herbal beer bath tea, and a lush robe to be delivered right to your door. [caption id="attachment_4901" align="aligncenter" width="580"]spa gift basket for fun activities to relieve stress Oakwell Beer Spa's spa gift basket[/caption] Check out this article for ideas on creating a DIY spa day.

5. Do a new exercise routine or class.

Exercising isn’t always thought to be one of the most fun activities to relieve stress, but if you like working out, a new routine or class can be enjoyable. Check out your local gym’s class schedule or find a routine on YouTube to do at home. Even if you don’t usually want to work out, you may find it enjoyable and rewarding if you can find exercises you like. You can also make it more fun by doing it with a friend, then having lunch or dinner together afterward. 

6. Redecorate your space.

Redecorating your space can be one of the best ways to relieve stress. Not only does changing things up for the better feel nice, but it also allows you to declutter, which almost always helps improve anxiety.  There are also many science-backed decorating ideas that create a calming environment –
  • Add plants to your space.
  • Get rid of clutter.
  • Create a comfortable space to relax with candles, blankets, and pillows.
  • Use colors to improve your mood. Warm colors like red and orange offer comfort, while cool colors like blue and green help with relaxation.
  • Have a screen-free area you can hang out in.

7. Play a board game.

What better way to relax than by finding your inner child and playing a board game? Grab a board game or two (check out these solo games) and play it after a stressful day. Take it up a notch and plan a board game date night with your partner, children, or best friend.

8. Hang out at your local park.

Fresh air and nature are sure ways to feel calmer. In fact, fresh air has been proven to increase serotonin levels, which is your body's "happy chemical." This ultimately leads to lower stress levels and reduced anxiety. While most of us know how important spending time outdoors is, we don’t often prioritize it. Make your visit to the park fun by bringing a picnic and a good book along, walking your pet, or meeting up with a friend. park

9. Start or tend to a garden.

Hobbies and plants are both fun activities to relieve stress, so combine the two and start or tend to your garden. Like we just mentioned, fresh air is a sure way to improve your mental well-being. Gardening is another excellent way to spend time outside. If you don't have an area outdoors for a garden, you can also create an indoor space for plants.

10. Plan a vacation.

People who take vacations from work usually have lower stress, more motivation, and fewer health concerns. Prioritize time off, and get out of town if you can. Exploring a new place is one of the best ways to reset and appreciate life. Related read: 3 Days in Denver: How to Spend a Weekend in Denver, CO

11. Play tourist in your own city.

Sometimes it’s easier to play tourist in your own city than to take a vacation away from home. And this is great because you can experience some of the same benefits by exploring your own city! Plan a day doing things you’ve never done before. Eat at a new restaurant and do a couple of tourist activities. You could even enjoy a staycation and book a hotel for the weekend.

12. Have a movie marathon.

If hanging out on the couch in your most comfortable pajamas with your favorite snacks sounds like the ultimate self-care, go for it! Sometimes a movie marathon is the perfect way to reset and relax.

13. Doodle in an adult coloring book.

If you have a lot of things going on at once, your mind is all over the place, and you just can't seem to settle down, coloring is one of the best ways to find a sense of calmness. In fact, doodling in a coloring book has similar results as meditating.  There are actually many studies that show how good for your overall well-being coloring can be. It can relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and enhance motivation.

Enjoy These Fun Activities to Relieve Stress!

These activities are not only fun, but they also reduce stress and increase happiness. We hope you found a few ideas you're excited about trying out. We know how difficult it can be to make time for relaxation. But understanding how critical stress-reducing activities really can be for physical and mental health can help us prioritize this time.  Try scheduling a short time each weekday and a longer time on the weekends for fun activities. Once you make it a part of your routine, it'll become natural, and you'll start finding what works for you to find more peace. Interested in giving the gift of relaxation to a loved one? Check out these self-care gift ideas!