If you are finding it difficult to relax, here are some new ways that might just work for you

I have had a hard time relaxing this year. With the fear of the pandemic, being stuck indoors, and having to learn how to work from home, it has been quite difficult to just calm down and become less anxious.

The usual ways of relaxing just don’t seem to do it for me anymore. I have tried the breathing exercises, the yoga and other physical activities as well as journaling, and long nature walks. It helps a little but I still end up feeling anxious.

So it was a relief to find out that there are other, less common ways to relax that might seem a tad bit unconventional but could still work for some people. Here are 4 different ways that I found. From personal experience, I have found a measure of success in relaxing through these methods.

Binge-watching TV Shows or Movies

I have always felt guilty about binge-watching my favorite shows on Netflix but it looks like I no longer have to feel so bad about it. According to psychiatrist Gayani DeSilva MD, binge-watching is a great way to relax and destress.

I can’t remember the last time I binge-watched a show but I believe it was the Star Wars show on Disney which was Season 1 of The Mandalorian. I vaguely remember feeling excited and happy even though I had stayed up late to watch the entire season.

Like most people, I had always been told that binge-watching was mostly negative behavior. It feels good to know that there are positive aspects to binge-watching. I will definitely have to schedule Season 2 of The Mandalorian for a binge-watch.

How to binge-watch safely

Here are a few tips from a USA Today article on how to binge-watch safely,

·         Plan to have a binge-watch instead of just randomly deciding to do it whenever you feel like it. Premeditation is important if you want to binge-watch in a healthy manner.

·         Binge-watch with a friend or family instead of doing it all alone.

·         Binge-watch quality shows and don’t watch something that is too exciting or adventurous.

Watching ASMR Videos

About a year ago, I randomly opened up my YouTube app to watch a music video. The first thing that popped up on my YouTube homepage was a video with the title “99.9% of you will sleep to this ASMR video”. The promise of sleep seemed too good to be true. I didn’t even know what ASMR was. However, once I watched that video, I was hooked. Also, as promised by the video, I fell asleep after a few minutes. It was almost like being hypnotized.

ASMR is Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It can best be described as a “tingly feeling” that one experiences in response to certain sounds and triggers. The triggers and sounds can include whispering, the sounds from turning the pages of a book, the rustle of newspapers and my favorite sound which is the tapping of nails on a solid surface.

There is a lot of controversy about the benefits of ASMR. Some people even go as far as calling it witchcraft and nonsensical. My personal experience is that depending on the type of sounds and the video, it can be very relaxing. I will admit that I have watched ASMR videos just for the purpose of wanting to fall asleep.

How to watch ASMR videos safely

There are so many different types of ASMR videos and not all of it may seem wholesome. Some videos are of a sexual nature. It is up to you to choose the right ASMR video. Personally, I like the ones that focus on harmless stuff like turning the pages of a book, rummaging through a purse, or fingernail tapping sounds made on different objects. Basically ASMR helps me to relax and sleep.

It is important to note that not everyone experiences ASMR. Some people are not geared to being sensitive to these sounds and triggers. Also, not much research has been done on ASMR. There is no concrete proof or evidence that it has actual benefits even though the majority of people have found it to be very relaxing.

Chewing Gum

I have made it a habit of chewing gum on and off over the years. Never in a million years would I have associated chewing gum as a method of relaxing.

People have been chewing gum for thousands of years with good reason. Gum can be made from the sap of trees as well as synthetic rubbers in the case of modern chewing gum.

Chewing gum has a myriad of benefits that you may not realize. These range from weight loss, improving concentration and memory to being used as a stress buster. Even the U.S Army supports the chewing of gum as a way to reduce stress and relax in the process. A survey by the Wrigley Science Institute shows that chewing gum helped adult men and women of a certain age group to relax.

How to chew gum safely

Chewing gum is mostly safe. However some brands of gum may list out some controversial ingredients that you need to be aware about. These ingredients could potentially be cancer-causing or result in some other health risk.

Chewing sugarless gum after eating is advised by dentists as it results in saliva production and can wash out bacteria and plaque from the mouth.

Grounding or Earthing

Grounding or earthing is the act of walking barefoot on the grass or earth. It may seem weird at first, but it is supposed to be very healthy. Even early humans walked barefoot.

The health benefits include relaxation for the body, training the muscles of the feet to be stronger and adaptable to different ground surfaces and saving money from not buying so many shoes.

The soles of the feet have many nerve endings and as you walk barefoot, you can experience something similar to a foot massage. Scientific research has shown that direct physical contact with the earth means that the body is in contact with electrons on the Earth surface. The overall effect from earthing can be relaxing for the body and soul.

Grounding safely

Use common sense. It might be okay to walk barefoot on certain surfaces like grass but other surfaces might be harmful and require shoes.

Studies have shown that earthing is safe and can increase overall health by resulting in increased sleep, better blood flow and less inflammation.

In closing, these 4 new ways to relax in 2021 and beyond may seem unconventional but are very much grounded in science. While no single method of relaxing may work for every single person, these methods can certainly be used as a complement in addition to more traditional methods for relaxation.