How to Make the Most of National Relaxation Day
With Relaxation Day right around the corner on August 15, we thought we’d do the neighborly thing and pass along some of our favorite ways to help you make the most of that time spent relaxing. And believe us, it’s time well spent.
4 Ways to Make the Most of a Hammock
Read.
Do you have a book you’ve downloaded or that’s been sitting on your shelf for too long unread? If your answer is yes, then we have to ask: What better reason to purchase a hammock?
Dream, dream, dream.
Remember when you were a kid? Did you ever spend time daydreaming, without a care in the world? Wasn’t it relaxing? Researchers at Cornell University have found that zoning out sharpens your mental performance. It’s also good for our feelings of happiness, makes you more creative, and reduces stress. Who knows, you might leave the hammock with an inspired idea or two.
Take a nap.
The gentle back-and-forth sway of the hammock, the sights and sounds of nature… What could be more relaxing? We’ll go out on a limb (pun fully intended) and say that these are the ingredients to a recipe for the best power nap ever.
Listen to music.
Download that feel-good music and pop in your headphones. What lifts your spirits? What moves you? What do you love? We highly recommend finding that and spending some good, old-fashioned quality time with it.
At-Home Massage Therapy
Would you rather soak your feet before or after you put them up? That should be the most complex question on your mind when you’ve set aside time for relaxing.
Maybe you need to work out those knots in your back, neck, and shoulders with a soothing heated massager. Whether it’s your feet, neck, lumbars, or calves that need attention, the Mayo Clinic reports that massage has many benefits, including relief of anxiety, digestive disorders, headaches, stress-related insomnia, and even fibromyalgia.
Gone Fishing
Everyone who fishes knows firsthand how relaxing the sport is. The time spent in the great outdoors provides you with vitamin D, and scientists tell us that being out in nature is good for your brain as well as your body. Of course, make sure you remember the sunscreen! And if you bring home a fresh catch, fish are a great source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which decrease the risk of heart failure and stroke, and lower blood pressure.
For women recovering from breast cancer, fly fishing provides valuable physical therapy, as the gentle motion of fly casting is similar to exercises prescribed by doctors for women in recovery.
Here at Smart Neighbor, we love fishing, too. That’s why we carry a growing selection of fishing gear.
Happy Campers
Whether you’re a camper or a glamper (no worries—this is a judgment-free zone), having the right supplies is as important as being armed with that savvy camping know-how. You can prepare yourself with a few techniques before you pack your tent by reading our blog post, “15 Camping Hacks for a Smarter Summer.”
Products like solar-powered lighting and thermoelectric stoves that also charge your devices can make your camping experience a lot more relaxing. We also carry a full range of camping gear to enhance your outdoor experience, with everything from tents to coolers.
