You have a right to relax! This may sound flippant in times when most of us feel that we can barely find the time to breathe. However, medical science is telling us that we may do well to grasp that right. Socio-psychological diseases and the associated physical ailments related to stress are a major threat to our health and to the wellbeing of our societies. Relaxation and the associated therapies are not a luxury, rather they are a need.

Most of us know that there is something that we can do to 'switch off' for a while. This is a very individual preference. It could be listening to music, cooking, spending time in our gardens, taking a walk and a host of other activities. Sometimes, when we have lost our sense of how to truly relax, spending time in nature or taking part in nature-related relaxation techniques can stimulate your mind and body in ways that are positive for your health.

The Nordic region is home to many traditions that are warming and soothing. Associated with all of these approaches are the ideas that relaxation and cleansing are every person’s right, and that relaxation therapies can contribute to a better society. These traditions – some of them, a thousand years old - include sauna, water therapies, massage and herbal treatments.

Join us on an irresistible journey of relaxation into these traditions. We will explore the philosophies behind them and why these are valuable to us today. We will also provide you with a constant supply of new relaxation ideas that you can try out when the day has just got too much for you. Since we are equally concerned to keep the stress levels of children as of adults down in our fast moving societies, we include a constant supply of relaxation ideas for kids.

Distinguished ergonomist Tim Finucane shares the secrets of increasing your power, not pain.

Need a break right now? A unique place to meditate on the web.

Enjoy our previous relaxation features, below.

A Soul for the Sauna With roots in the Northern crossroads between Sweden and Finland, Pär Granlund thinks sauna is a central part of his heritage and one that he has given much of his time to promoting through the Swedish Sauna Academy.

Breathe Deep In this article we review the importance of good breathing and give you a handful of ideas for increasing the quality of your breathing in a regular working day.

Christmas Cleansing December may be just the time to clean out and scrub up. In times when Christmas feels increasingly like consumer chaos, it is worthwhile to remember this traditional practice which reminds us that Christmas is a time of personal renewal.

Cold Water Bathing Cold water bathing in Finland is not seen mainly as a competition, rather as a means of treating rheumatism and keeping healthy.

Cool Feet Take heart: nature offers you just what you need just when you need it. Read more below about how to make your very own rose and peppermint cooling splash.

Digital Multitasking, Effectiveness & Health The research is still thin but increasingly studies reveal that the radically increased load that our brains seem forced to carry these days is harming us. Here in the Nordic region we are wired but how wired is enough?

Food for Relaxation Bastuklämmor or sauna wraps have become a tradition at some of the most special places for enjoying sauna in Scandinavia. In this article we introduce you by way of a couple of recipes to these delicious light and healthful snacks that can be the perfect finish to a relaxing interlude.

Grain Against Pain This idea has been passed on from one generation to the next and today wheat pillows are a popular choice in Scandinavia for natural health and healing.

Herbs that Relax In this article we suggest some regular garden herbs that are easy to grow and that can give your body the signal that it is time to take the pace down a notch.

Hydrotherapy Icelandic-Style Amongst the Nordic countries, Iceland is the country that has most consistently held fast to beliefs in the rejuvenating powers of bathing.

Getting Effective in the Sauna Sauna bathing is a practice that can take several hours if done right, or so the experts tell us. How can this be considered good use of time, when we have so little of it these days? 

A Laugh a Day Like people everywhere, Scandinavians are waking up to the health benefits of a good laugh. What better way to spend your time in the darkness of the cold, dour winter? Learn more in this article.

Modern Meditation Read in this article about meditation Scandinavian-style and try out our very own relaxation routine using this autumn’s wind to blow away complication, noise and chaos.

Nordic Nature Tips: Seasonal Meditation This exercise (inspired by Rolf Olsson, Ekocentrum), aims at increasing the experience of belonging in nature through an identification with nature’s creatures.

Raindrops On Your Back: Child Massage Is there something about massage that has an intrinsic value in a school environment?

Sweet & Clean A highly valued healing elixir for the skin, honey is often used in combination with massage and sauna. What can a good quality honey do for your skin and soul?

Sourcing Own Energy Learn how to source your own energy with our 20 minute daily program.

20 Best Ideas for Managing Stress In this feature, we take a look at what stress is, why you need to be concerned about it, and our 20 best ideas for managing it.
(Part 2 in our Series 100 Great Ideas for Wellbeing in Hard Times)

Touch Wood In prehistoric Scandinavia, as in other prehistoric cultures, the practice of touching wood was considered a protection against illness and evil spirits. We consider in this article why it is that the touch of wood, particularly smooth wood, calms us. Make your own simple wood relaxer.

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