The stresses of city life can become too much for anyone, but there are lots of ways to deal with it.
It’s all about mindfulness, being in the present, so we’ve had a look around to see what the capital has to offer in that department.
Here are six great ways to de-stress in Dublin.
1. Exercise in Phoenix Park
Simple, but effective. This comes back to the whole mindfulness thing, when you’re out in nature you feel more grounded in the present and less inclined to stress, then you add the endorphin high you get from exercise and you’re on the right track to relaxation.
And with Phoenix Park providing a massive expanse of green so close to the city centre, what better place?
2. Treat yourself to a massage
If you’re one of those people who can only relax when they’re mostly naked, oiled up, and being touched by strangers, then a massage might be just the ticket for you. For more info on massage treatments in Dublin, click here.
3. Try your hand at Tai Chi
Take a more spiritual path by trying Tai Chi on for size. It’s a holistic art which seeks to channel internal energy (or ‘chi’) for good health, self-development and self-defence. The initial training concentrates on slow, relaxed flowing movement, meaning that it’s open to all levels of health and fitness. One such class can be found on the Dublin Holistic Centre on South William Street, click here for more info.
4. Go hiking on one of the world’s greatest trails
If you haven’t heard, the Dublin Mountain’s Way hiking trail has been recently named one of the most scenic trails in the world. You don’t even have to go to the back and beyond to find this path either, as it’s located a mere 8 miles from O’Connell Street. Find more info on on this beautiful walking trail here.
5. Go people watching in St Stephen’s Green
A problem some of you might have with some of these suggestions is that you have to do things and go places, which may be the opposite of how you chill out. In that case, let off some steam the low-energy way by simply plopping down in St Stephen’s Green when you have a moment and enjoy the never ending streams of humanity.
There’s a lot to be said for the therapeutic effects of simply watching the world drift by.
6. Have a go in a floatation chamber
Finally, if you want a novel way to find complete peace, we suggest you spend some time in a floatation chamber.
Also known as a sensory deprivation chamber, this pod blocks out all external sights and sounds to allow the user complete freedom from the constant pressure of analyzing the world around them. This sensory deprivation causes levels of the stress hormone cortisol to drop, while the happiness neurotransmitter dopamine becomes elevated.
If you’d like to try this floatation chamber for yourself, you can find them at the Harvest Moon Centre on Lower Baggot Street and you can contact them here.
READ NEXT: The Decompression Chamber – 10 Ways To Have An Amazing Sleep Tonight
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