Things that make you go hmmm. Blackmores asked a handful of Australians to divulge their most closely-guarded relaxation secrets. Here's what we turned up:
"I go to class once a week after work. No matter how tired or stressed I am from my long day, I come out of class in the best mood! It is great fun, and banging all your frustrations out onto the drum is a fantastic stress release. Once you learn a rhythm, your body seem to go into ‘autopilot mode'. You follow the rhythm without requiring any brain concentration – it's quite an amazing experience."
-Lisa, Product Manager, Sydney
"Floating under the surface of the ocean takes you into an entirely different world where nothing can remind you of the stresses on land (and you can make some pretty unique friends under there too)."
-Belinda, Public Relations Assistant, Brisbane
"Viola playing is very relaxing because on one level you can do things that you've done before, like scales that get you into a zone. Then on the other hand, you need to focus as much as possible on what you're doing: you need to switch off all other parts of the brain except those focussed on your instrument and the sonic response you get from it – the weight, the feel and the texture of the strings under my fingers."
-Jeremy, Editor and Musician, Canberra
"Imagine having a gentle stream of warm oil poured continually onto your forehead for an hour – it's heavenly. I first discovered it in an Ayurvedic health centre in India where I think they used warm ghee (purified butter). They also massaged my neck and shoulders. Mosquitos were biting at my ankles but I just couldn't care less, I was in the deepest state of relaxation possible. You could almost call it a ‘sublime coma'."
-Patrick, Business Developer, Gold Coast
"I love to dance. Nothing beats getting lost in music and shaking your groove thing. The combination of what music does for the soul, and getting the endorphins pumping through movement is a brilliant." -Tania, Online Producer, Sydney