I have a bad habit of trying to meditate, getting distracted, and immediately giving up, just to try it again six months later. So this observation from redditor Subduction really got me.

Relaxation? Productivity? These don't go together... normally. If you just want to put butt to couch and think of nothing, that's fine. On the other hand, if you have a few drops of energy in reserve and wouldn't mind spending them while you chill, that's possible too.

Between hygge, the Danish concept of cosiness, and Sweden's lagom, which encourages living a balanced life, there are plenty of buzzy Nordic lifestyle methods that proponents claim will make you a better person. But if your problem is less about finding happiness and more about tuning out the nagging voices in your head, you may want to head slightly south and check out the Dutch concept of niksen.

Everyone gets stressed, be it from their job, their partner, or even just reading the news. For me, my typical solution to a stressful situation is to go on a walk and think about something else. When I get back to my desk or that fight with my boyfriend everything doesn't seem quite as bad as it did before I went on that stroll.

"Ahh, this is it." It's the sigh we all want to sigh on holiday. Full relaxation, total enjoyment, that pure feeling of doing nothing. But it may turn out that pursuing a holiday ideal -- whether it's a perfect sunset, pre-planned trip, or just the expected awe of seeing, say, Uluru in real life -- is exactly how not to get the most out of the holiday time you have.

If you're on a budget and you're looking for some great ways to relax and unwind beyond just going for a walk or taking a nap, this graphic has about fifty of them, all of which may take a little time, but never any money. Best of all, it's organised chronologically, so you can try them at different parts of the day.

Our world moves at a breakneck pace, making it easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. That's why it's important to find time to take care of yourself -- even if you only have a few minutes here and there. Thankfully, Aura's meditation teachers and therapists had our busy schedules in mind when making Aura Premium, a science-backed mindfulness tool to help you give anxiety the boot.

Taking a bath is not about getting clean -- that's what showers are for. Baths are about calming your troubled mind and soothing your aches and pains, both physical and emotional. As a highly sensitive person, I find baths to be necessary, and I've gotten very good at them.

If all you can think about Monday morning is how quickly your weekend flew by, you might want to consider expanding your horizons a bit in the future. Turns out, the key to a fulfilling weekend that doesn't feel too short is to seek out "newness".

Drinking in the shower is a pastime that much of the Lifehacker staff holds near and dear to their heart. The popular beverage of choice for such an activity? Beer. Also, coffee and maybe a fancy cocktail. Here's how you, too, can enjoy one of the greatest and most simple pleasures of your adult life.

It's good to feel energized, but all that excess juice can get in the way when you're trying to focus on the task at hand. That's why the Stress Block is a must-have gadget for anyone that works a desk job. This addictive desk toy helps you burn off that excess energy and hone in on your to-dos the healthy way.

As the world somehow continues to spin despite everything, it can be vital to your sanity to take a step back, when you can, and distance yourself from the stress of work, the deluge of news, and the pressure of your responsibilities. Here are the top ten ways to escape reality.

It can seem like our lives are filled with busyness, noise, distractions and often meaningless activities. What if we could filter out all that noise, and focus on the meaningful? What if we could find stillness instead of constant distraction?

My kids are balls of pure energy who are offended by the very thought of bedtime. But meditation videos like this one actually keep their interest long enough to help them slow down and begin to relax.

Yoga as a bedtime routine can help you relax, fall asleep quicker and get more rest so you wake feeling refreshed. If you don't have a routine that works, try this 20-minute practice designed to help you wind down after a long day.

'Weightless' is an eight-minute relaxation track created by therapeutic sound therapist Lyz Cooper. According to a study by market research firm Mindlab International, it is capable of reducing the listener's anxiety and physiological resting levels. If you're feeling stressed about the start of a new work week, give it a burl.

When your work day is finished, you log out of your computer, drive home and relax. If you then fire up another computer and sit in front of it playing games, it might not be as relaxing as it could be.

Floating is an increasingly popular form of sensory deprivation therapy that involves lying in a pitch black tank of salted water. This may sound like your worst nightmare, but since the invention of Sensory Deprivation Tanks in 1954 they have been praised for their health benefits, particularly in regards to relaxation and stress relief. Here's what I learned after spending 90 minutes on the inside.

Ambient noise apps drown out distractions so you can focus on your work, or generate serene, peaceful environments that encourage you to fall asleep. But with dozens you can download, it's hard to know which is the best. Noisli, White Noise and Rain Rain are all at the top of this game, so it's time to crank them up to 11 and see which one creates so much atmosphere you could practically breathe in it.