The Best Places To De-Stress In Central Mass

April is National Stress Awareness Month, which exists to spread awareness of the negative impact of stress. According to the NIH, “There is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can harm physical and mental health.” There are a lot of practices that can support stress reduction – accessing regular therapy, doing less, staying active, and practicing gratitude. The list goes on, and on! Two of my favorite ways to reduce stress, are to incorporate more time for play and relaxation. I’m going to share my favorite local places to de-stress in Central Mass.

Best Places To Relax

1. Grab a Bliss Pass at Release Well-Being Center in Westborough. You’ll gain access to the spa area, which includes a eucalyptus steam room, sun sauna, outdoor mineral spa, and more. If you want a little more relaxation, join a yoga class or book a massage/facial.
2. Sign up for a yoga class at Third Eye Yoga Collective in Worcester. The Thursday evening restorative class is one of my favorite ways to begin to wind down from the week.
3. Ease your mind during a meditation class at Truth Organic Spa & Wellness Center in Grafton. They offer many healing modalities, and I find myself booking a massage there as often as possible.
4. Schedule an Acupuncture consultation at Body Therapeutics in Worcester. Many health insurances now cover acupuncture and chiropractic services (which you can also do here). And, you can even add in a massage to care for your full body.
5. Work with an energy healing practitioner at Synergy Wellness Center in Hudson. They have a ton of holistic healthcare offerings, including counseling.

Best Places To Play

1. Spend an evening at Free Play Arcade in Worcester. All of the arcade games you loved during childhood are here, and the bar is serving up exciting cocktails with a wide beer selection.
2. You don’t need to be an expert climber to have fun at Central Rock Gym in Worcester. I always feel like a kid when I’m scaling a wall, so you are guaranteed a fun day.
3. I have not yet been to Level99 in Natick, but it is recommended to me all the time and at the top of my list. Spend your visit taking on physical and/or mental challenges in their 40 rooms full of games.
4. Boundless Adventures in Berlin opened in early April for the season, so book a ticket and spend a few hours flying through the trees. There are a variety of paths you can take depending on your fitness level.
5. Grab your friends and book a wine tasting at Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. As the weather gets warmer, sit outside and spend an afternoon laughing while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Let’s keep the conversation going – what are your favorite places to PLAY and RELAX in Central Mass?!