4 Good stress relief activities around Dublin

Life can be hectic and exhausting, these days more than ever. So stress relief has never been more important. Stress can act as a poison amplifier on the body and mind, so what’s bad becomes worse. A minor annoyance becomes a rhythm shattering crisis, a rude stranger becomes an abrasive jerk, and a missed deadline becomes a career-ending kerfuffle. So it’s good to be able to take time out from our busy lives and learn how to unwind. To learn how to unburden your tired shoulders and re-centre yourself, so that you can face new challenges without collapsing.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to stay stress-free forever, so the best option is to incorporate some healthy options into your daily routines. The good news is you’re not alone. Dublin has a lot of options for people to get together and blow off some steam. Here are some easy, fun, and innovative ways to take the weight off your shoulders.

An ancient practice with its root in India, yoga is a great low intensive way to centre yourself and release the stress from your body. It is believed that yoga can not only relieve physical stress but also be a form of emotional or even spiritual healing. The tradition has spread all over the world and is marked by International Yoga Day on June 21st. There are several yoga groups right here in Dublin that are worth checking out.

For starters, there’s the Yogahub, an established chain with five different branches scattered all around Dublin, including Camden Court and Phisboro. If those don’t strike your fancy there’s The Elbowroom in Stoneybatter, which also offers online zoom classes.

If you’re looking for more affordable options, then The Outhouse offers weekly Yoga classes for LGBT+ people. However, if you would just like some basic guidance or a free starting sample, then MyWellbeing.ie has several great videos up on their Youtube channel!

Many of these places also offer to teach meditation techniques, which is also a great way to relieve stress! Such as the Dublin Buddhist Centre on Joyce Street. They also have a Youtube channel that may be worth checking out.

There are more Yoga groups scattered around our fair city than we could possibly name, so keep an eye out and don’t be afraid to enquire.

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If you’re looking for something a little more competitive, then why not try and join a local sports team? Unlike yoga, more high-intensity workouts can keep the mind occupied and release stress through endorphins. Competitive sports can also foster team building and a goal-oriented mindset. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends!

There are numerous sports clubs around Dublin that are always looking for new members. A great place to start is with the Dublin City Council. They have 19 sports officers stationed across the city just waiting to help you find a club with the right fit.

From the Gaelic Players Association in Drumcondra, to football clubs like Bohemian F.C. in Phibsborough, to even water sports like windsurfing taught by groups like Pure Magic Dublin. There are a lot of options available, and you can always try looking for groups on sites like meetup.com.

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If you’re in the mood for something a little more directly competitive, then why not try studying martial arts? Disciplines like jiu-jitsu have been known to have multiple health benefits, both physical and mental. From improved stamina to greater confidence. Similar to yoga, martial arts are considered just as much an art form as a sport, so they can be fulfilling on a creative level too.

There are numerous dojos located around Dublin for you to check out, such as the Black Panther kickboxing club in Tallaght, Bushido Karate Gendi in the Stewarts Sports Centre and Citywest Hotel, and JSBJJ Training Centre on Parnell Street.

If you would like something less directly competitive but still physically exerting, then you can always learn to bust a move at one of Dublin’s local dance clubs. Dancing is one of the oldest human traditions in just about every culture. There’s a reason just about every important social event is marked by dancing, it’s what we were born to do.

From ballroom to hip-hop there are so many different styles to try out. Just Dance & Fitness, a club with numerous locations around Dublin, offers a wide range of classes at affordable prices. Dance Ireland has evening classes that cover both modern and classic traditions of Irish dance.

Or, you can check out Bollywood Fusion Ireland on Youtube for some Indian dancing techniques, or Official PAK for more Afro-inspired ones.

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Stress continues to be a major issue in all of our lives, and in these post-Covid times, it’s more important than ever to learn how to put yourself back out there and reconnect with people to blow off some steam. Whether it be online through apps like zoom, or in person at a local club or sports hall, whether it be through calm meditation and yoga, or through intense competition and sport. Learning how to deal with stress in a healthy way is crucial to fostering a successful life journey.