1.Have lunch at a nice park.

Sometimes, if I was having a stressful day at work, I’d buy one of my favorite lunches, walk to a local park on my break, sit on the grass under my favorite tree, and have my own little private picnic. 

As I listened to my favorite music, an inspirational podcast, a comedian, or just simply sit with nature I savored every bite of my lunch. Comfort food can be healing.

This always released my stress even if it was only for an hour. I’d go back to work a little more relaxed and prepared to finish my day.

2. Make your home into your own personal resort.

What makes you happy? Is it fresh cut flowers? Is it having your art hanging on the walls? Eating comfort food?

First start by decorating your home. Paint the walls with colors that make you happy. Hang up some of your favorite art and create a space where you can unwind. Maybe it’s only a corner of the room with your favorite chair and books. Or maybe it’s setting up garden furniture in your yard where you can eat your dinner twice a week.

Bring the spa to your home. Keep a spa basket in your bathroom. Keep bath salts, lotions, essential oils or any of your favorite at home spa treatments available. You don’t need to spend a fortune at a fancy spa.

Prepare weekly with your favorite drinks and grocery items so that whenever you need to destress you can have everything readily available. Don’t wait until you eat out to have a charcuterie board or something you love to eat.

3. Visit the hidden gems in your city.

I live in Oakland, CA and one of my favorite places to visit is Preservation Park. It’s two blocks of Victorian homes that the city of Oakland restored and now use to rent out to businesses. And even though it’s located in busy downtown Oakland it’s actually very peaceful there. You can even hear the birds chirping. I feel transported to another time.

Another place I love in my native Oakland is the Morcom Rose Garden.

Find places around your city that make bring you peace and tranquility. Make time to visit them even if it’s only for 20 minutes. You’d be surprised the wonders that 20 minutes can do out in nature. There’s beauty all around if you just look for it.

4. Visit some of your local museums or attractions.

Sometimes just getting out of the house for an hour or two can be fun and distracting from the everyday hustle. Visiting a Here are some of my favorite local attractions:

Hayward Japanese Gardens.

Make it a point to visit the tourist locations in your city. Some of my other favorites include the Oakland Museum of California and the Oakland Zoo. If I really want to make a whole day or weekend of it, I’ll go to San Francisco, the Napa Valley, Monterey or Santa Cruz.

5. Go for a relaxing walk

I’m lucky to have lots of places to hike nearby. My favorite place is Lake Chabot. Even just a 30 minute walk, breathing in the fresh air, and admiring nature will restore my spirit.

6. Have a movie night

Whether you decide to splurge at the movie theatre with your favorite snacks, or make it a movie night at home escaping for an hour and a half will help your mind escape your daily stresses.

When I had Covid I thought I would go crazy being locked up for 10 days. So, what did I do? I turned my bedroom into my mini movie theatre. I ordered in all of my favorite snacks and ordered food from my favorite restaurants. I found myself watching lots of musicals. It helped me pass the time.