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When stress levels start to soar and every day feels like an intense juggling act, it’s difficult not to succumb to the idea that life is a hot mess dumpster fire of an experience. By the time overwhelm sets in, sometimes our usual go-tos for stress relief—whether yoga or meditation—may not be quite enough to cut it.
Sometimes the best ways to navigate chaos aren’t the most obvious choices. Instead, they’re found in the quiet, everyday moments we tend to overlook. The trick is to become curious about what actually brings an inner sense of calm and create more instances of those when we can.
15 Unexpected Ways People Are Finding Calm Right Now
These practices are proof that self-care can be much simpler, more accessible, and definitely more fun than you might think.
1. Color Walks
Even if walking is already part of your self-care routine, it’s still easy to lose yourself down a rabbit hole of anxious thoughts or mental to-do lists. A color walk, on the other hand, asks you to pick a specific color and notice wherever it appears in your environment along the way. The process naturally slows you down, gets you out of your head, and gives you the chance to focus on and appreciate the beauty around you that you might’ve otherwise overlooked.
2. Dancing
Dancing is basically meditation in motion, pulling you into the present moment as it releases stress from the inside out. (And, no, you don’t have to be a “good dancer.” The goal is to feel good.) Whether you sign up for a dance class, find a local 90s night, or blast music in your living room while putting groceries away, the goal is the same: move however makes you happy.
3. Phone Breaks
If your phone feels like a stress machine, it’s time to find moments throughout the day when you’re without it—even for a few minutes. Tiny breaks without the constant notification pings or temptation to get lost in a doomscroll can help you destress. The aim isn’t to abandon technology completely. You just want to create some breathing room for your mental health.
4. Decluttering
An organized space often creates mental clarity. Start with one small area of one room—your desk, a drawer, a section of your close. Notice how you feel before and after you straighten up the space. Many people find they not only get a hit of accomplishment after decluttering, they’re also better able to focus on what truly matters…especially when it doesn’t take an hour to find the keys.
5. Baking
The methodical nature of following a recipe can feel like much-needed structure when everything else in life feels scattered and uncontrollable. The smells, textures, and patience required can usher you into a meditative state…one that also produces cookies or bread or whatever you’re into! It can be a profoundly calming activity that also gives you something to share with others, making the process just as rewarding as the result.
6. Volunteering
Channeling energy into something beyond yourself can grant you the gift of perspective, especially when you’re stressed. Find places where you can donate even small amounts of your time that work with your schedule. If you love animals, try shelters or wildlife centers. If you care about the environment, look for clean-up projects or conservation work. If you’re passionate about social justice, find advocacy organizations that support various causes. You may find that helping others is not only an act of service but a source of stress relief.
7. Daydreaming
When you’re a kid, daydreaming probably got a bad rap—especially if a teacher caught you gazing out the window during school. But letting your mind wande as you contemplate the future adventures and positive possibilities can actually be a useful mood booster. Some people take it to the next level and create vision boards, peruse travel websites, or even start making plans for their goals. However you do it, allowing yourself to fantasize about things that make you happy can feel like a meditative vacation from your current reality.
8. Pet Therapy
Spending time with an animal—yours or someone else’s—can provide instant stress relief. Animals exist completely in the moment, and that energy is contagious in the best way possible. They can help pull you out of anxious thoughts and into playful, present-moment interactions.
9. Singing
…In the shower, in the kitchen while cooking dinner, or in the car while driving. It all counts. Music is a known mood-lifter and you can use that to your advantage any time you want. If singing isn’t your thing, simply listening to music can positively impact your state of mind and turn an otherwise stressful day into a more peaceful one.
10. Drinking Tea or Coffee
Many of us tend to view caffeine, and not mindfulness, as a must-have for making it through the day. But it can be both. Treat your morning tea or coffee as a ritual. As you drink, feel the hot cup between your hands, smell the aroma, and actually savor the flavor. You might want to practice different preparation methods—using a French press or experimenting with loose-leaf teas— to make it feel even more ceremonial and special.
11. Crafting
Have you ever become so consumed by an activity that you’re transported into a timeless, peaceful state of mind? That flow state is a science-backed way to counter stress. Many activities can usher in the flow state, including embroidery, knitting, crocheting, coloring, playing with clay, making jewelry, wood-carving, doing puzzles, or even painting by numbers. The trick is to find something you can focus your attention on for several minutes at a time.
12. Giving a Compliment
You’ve probably heard someone say that a compliment made their day, but compliment-giving can benefit the giver just as much as the recipient. It’s a practice that can help shift your attention from your internal worries to noticing positive qualities in others.
13. Studying Stoicism
Many people turn to Stoicism, a philosophical practice founded in ancient Greece, for its lessons on how to maintain one’s perspective during difficult times and positively reframe challenges. You can apply the ideals of philosophers—including Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca—to your own life by asking yourself, “Is this within my control?” or “What can I learn from this?” whenever you’re faced with a daunting situation.
14. Recreational Sports
Moving your body can be its own form of therapy. Also, the focus required to play sports draws your attention into the present moment (and away from whatever is troubling you). Whether you choose pickleball, swimming, tennis, or basketball, finding something you genuinely enjoy also gives you something to look forward to. You can play solo or with teammates who can provide the added benefit of socializing and team-building—necessary skills for when life feels overwhelming.
15. Good Company
Social connections are one of the most significant factors in overall health. Try establishing regular check-ins, monthly dinners, game nights, or other consistent gatherings with your friends to foster connection and mutual support. Even being open to having a friendly chat with the person next to you in line for coffee or giving a new book club a try can be refreshing reminders that you’re not alone.
