7 Underrated Relaxing Things to Do This Weekend

Weekends are for rewiring—mentally, emotionally, and physically, so you can step into the new week recharged.

Sure, we all love a good nap, a peaceful cycling session, or just some quiet scroll-free time. But if you are looking for a real difference, try adding a twist with something new.

Activities like journaling, nature sketching, guided breathing sessions, or even a unique light and sound technique that helps calm your nervous system and bring focus back. Sometimes, it’s the lesser-known methods that make the biggest difference.

Here’s a list of not-so-common yet super relaxing things to do this weekend to feel more grounded, focused, and recharged. We have also put together a few easy things you can pick to slow yourself down this holiday!

1. Soundless Journaling

This isn’t just your typical “dear diary” moment. Soundless journaling means stepping away from noise and letting thoughts flow in complete silence. No playlist, no background hum. Just you, a pen, and a page.

In today’s hyper-connected world, pure silence is rare and powerful. Journaling in it helps your brain settle without being hijacked by music, pings, or even the hum of appliances. You will be surprised how stillness sharpens your inner voice. This quiet moment of self-introspection can help you untangle your thoughts, cut through overthinking, and gain clarity on your problems and plans.

2. Create a ‘No-Plan’ Hour

One of the most giggle-worthy, relaxing things to do is to do nothing. Yes, doing nothing, but doing it intentionally.

Block one hour where you refuse to make a plan. No agenda, no to-do list, no scrolling.
Sit on your couch, balcony, or garden, and let your instincts take the lead. You might end up cloud-watching, rearranging books, or stretching lazily. The point is to break free from over-scheduling. This one hour can give your mind the freedom it doesn’t know it’s been craving.

3. Try a Light & Sound Stimulation Session

Now here’s something different—and backed by neuroscience. Devices like light and sound stimulators offer non-invasive stimulation to help recalibrate your nervous system. Think of it as mental clarity on demand.

Using patterns of LED lights and synchronized soundscapes, they gently guide your brain into states of deep calm, focus, or even creativity.

If you have been feeling mentally scattered, this tool helps rewire the clutter into calm. Try it for 10–20 minutes and feel the reset ripple through your weekend.

4. Sketch, But With Your Non-Dominant Hand

Yes, it will look wonky. That’s the point. Sketching with your non-dominant hand activates the less-used side of your brain and encourages a child-like mindset. It's relaxing because it pulls you away from performance pressure and lets you just play.

Grab a pencil, choose something simple (like your coffee cup or window view), and doodle. The process isn’t about creating something great—it’s about getting lost in the process, which is where the calm hides.

5. Personal Scent Mapping

Here’s something almost no one talks about: smell has the strongest link to memory and emotion.
This weekend, curate your scent map. Light different candles or use essential oils like eucalyptus, cedarwood, or lavender in different corners of your home.

Assign each scent a feeling—focus, calm, nostalgia, joy. Spend time in each zone and let your senses soak in the shift. This mini ritual rewires how your brain associates space and creates little moments of mindful pleasure.

6. Mirror Gaze Meditation

Sounds intense? It’s surprisingly peaceful and among those low-effort, relaxing things to do.
Stand in front of a mirror (preferably in natural light) and just gaze into your own eyes for a few minutes. No self-critique. No analysis. Just an observation.

This meditative practice helps build self-compassion and calm your inner chatter. It’s a grounding way to reconnect with yourself beyond the filtered selfies and rushed mornings. Add some ambient music in the background or keep it silent.

Start with 2–5 minutes. You will notice how your breath slows, your focus sharpens, and your body begins to relax.

7. Tactile Time with Natural Materials

In a world full of glass screens and synthetic fabrics, engaging with natural textures can be incredibly calming. This weekend, spend time touching real materials—knead some dough, dig in the soil, run your hands over wooden surfaces, or fold soft cotton sheets mindfully.

These micro-interactions ground your body and remind your nervous system what ‘real’ feels like. It’s a sensory reset most of us didn’t know we needed.

What Comes Under Relaxing Activities (Pick the One for Regular Days)

Relaxing activities are anything that helps your mind and body unwind, de-stress, and feel at ease. They vary from person to person, but here’s a categorized list of what typically comes under relaxing activities:

Mind & Body Calming

• Meditation or deep breathing
  

• Gentle yoga or stretching
  

• Aromatherapy, or using essential oils
  

• Light and sound therapy
  

• Floating therapy / Sensory deprivation tanks
  

Nature-Inspired

• Walking in the park or forest bathing
  

• Gardening or potting indoor plants
  

• Watching sunrise/sunset
  

• Stargazing
  

Creative Expression

• Journaling or gratitude writing
  

• Painting, coloring, or sketching
  

• Playing a musical instrument
  

• DIY crafts or knitting
  

Cozy & Comfort-Based

• Reading a book or listening to an audiobook
  

• Watching a feel-good movie or series
  

• Taking a warm bath with salts or bubbles
  

• Drinking herbal tea slowly while doing nothing
  

• Napping guilt-free
  

Tech-Enabled Calm

• Listening to calming music, soundscapes, or binaural beats
  

• Guided meditations or calming podcasts
  

• Using wellness apps or VR for mindfulness
  

• Light and sound stimulation sessions
  

Relaxation Looks Different for Everyone—Find Yours

Of all the relaxing things to do, one of the simplest and most effective is exploring innovative tech like neuroVIZR  light and sound stimulation—a technique that helps you re-center in just 10 minutes. This new-age method is quickly gaining popularity for all the right reasons.

Pick the one that fits you best from the relaxing things above, and unlock a calmer, clearer version of yourself with neuroVIZR.