Good mental health depends on one’s ability to recharge from the hustle and bustle of life. With endless demands from work, friends and family, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and neglect to make time for yourself. Luckily, there are tons of places to go in Indy to disengage from all of the noise and recharge. Here are six suggestions for staying stress-free in Indy:
1. Create a work of art
Treat yourself to a little art therapy at one of the many paint-and-sip studios in Indianapolis. Places like Painting with a Twist, Wine and Canvas and Mimosa and a Masterpiece will have you discovering your inner Van Gogh and sipping on the finest of spirits. Focusing on creating that perfect painting will clear your mind of all other worries.
Where to go:
Painting With a Twist
8804 N. Michigan Road,
Indianapolis, IN 46268
paintingwithatwist.com
Cost: $35 per class
2. Spend some time in nature
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean it’s healthy to spend your entire time inside. Spending time in nature can boost your creativity and improve your mood. According to research by Biopsychosocial Medicine, older adults who spend more time outdoors have less pain, sleep better and have less functional decline. Indianapolis has an abundance of free and low-cost parks are recreations areas that offer recreational space, hiking, biking, fishing and swimming.
Where to go:
Holliday Park
6363 Spring Mill Road,
Indianapolis, IN 46260
Cost: Free
3. Help others by volunteering
Sometimes the best way to get your mind off your own worries is to focus on helping others. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen, become a mentor for local youth or help clean up the city. Many churches and community organizations have opportunities to get involved. The United Way of Central Indiana and IndyHub are great resources for connecting with agencies that need volunteers.
Where to go:
Indyhub.org/volunteer
Cost: Free
4. Try a float session
Experience a soothing session in a float tank, a fiberglass pod with water warmed to body temperature and 900 pounds of dissolved Epsom salts. This allows your body to float effortlessly, relieving pressure off of tired joints, bones and muscles. The lack of sensory input will give your brain much-needed downtime.
Where to go:
Being Better Float Center
3065 Salt Lake Road,
Indianapolis, IN 46214
betterbeingfloatcenter.com
Cost: $65 for a 90-minute float session
5. Meet new people
Sometimes the best way to de-stress is to spend time with others. Find people in your community with common interests on Meetup.com. In Indianapolis, you can find groups ranging from “Co-ed Casual sports” to “Black women who want more.” With meetup groups devoted to topics such as travel, gaming, filmmaking and various cultures and religions, you are sure to find a group of interest to you.
Where to go:
meetup.com
Cost: Free to join and attend meetups, organizers pay fees
6. Enjoy some local comedians
They say laughter is the best medicine. It reduces mental tension and increases energy, allowing you to stay focused and accomplish more. So why not enjoy some local comedians and laugh your stress away?
Where to go:
Morty’s Comedy Joint and Mexican Grill
3824 E. 82nd St.,
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Cost: Typically $15 per show
