How to Talk About Relaxing in English: 8 Natural Expressions
There are many different ways to relax.
You might spend an evening watching a film on the sofa, take a long bath after a stressful day or escape somewhere peaceful for a few days. Sometimes you need to stop completely. At other times, you simply need to do things at a slower pace.
English has plenty of useful expressions for describing these different kinds of rest.
In this post, we’ll look at eight natural English phrases for talking about relaxing, resting and recovering your energy.
1. To chill out
To chill out means to relax and stop feeling stressed or worried.
It is an informal expression that is very common in everyday spoken English.
This evening, my husband and I are just going to chill out on the sofa and watch a film.
You can also use it without describing a particular activity:
I’ve had a really stressful week. I need to chill out.
You may also hear chill used on its own with a similar meaning:
We didn’t do much at the weekend. We just chilled at home.
Useful combinations
chill out at home
chill out on the sofa
chill out with friends
have a quiet evening and chill out
2. To put your feet up
To put your feet up means to sit down, rest and do nothing for a while.
We often use this expression after we have been busy, working hard or physically active.
After a busy day running around London, I couldn’t wait to get home and put my feet up.
The expression can be literal. You might actually rest your feet on a chair, but it is often simply used to mean that you are taking a well-earned rest.
You’ve been working all day. Go and put your feet up.
It usually suggests a comfortable, relaxing kind of rest at home.
3. To recharge your batteries
To recharge your batteries means to rest and regain your physical or emotional energy.
It is especially useful when you feel tired, overwhelmed or mentally drained.
Sometimes I recharge my batteries by spending an afternoon browsing in bookshops.
Different people recharge their batteries in different ways. For one person, it might mean spending time alone. For someone else, it could mean meeting friends, walking in nature or going away for a few days.
I’m taking a few days off so that I can recharge my batteries.
Although the expression refers to batteries, it is normally used figuratively to talk about people.
4. To take it easy
To take it easy means to avoid too much work, stress or effort and to do things at a slower pace.
I’m not doing much this weekend, just taking it easy.
You might use this expression when you have been busy and want a quieter day:
I had a hectic week, so I’m taking it easy today.
It can also be used as advice:
You look exhausted. You should take it easy for a few days.
And in informal conversation, Take it easy! can sometimes be used as a friendly way of saying goodbye.
See you next week. Take it easy!
5. To take a breather
To take a breather means to stop what you are doing and rest for a short time.
It usually describes a brief pause rather than a whole day or weekend of rest.
I’ve been working all morning. I’m going to take a breather and make some coffee.
You can use it when you need a physical break:
We stopped halfway up the hill to take a breather.
You can also use it when you need an emotional or mental pause:
The conversation was becoming quite intense, so we decided to take a breather.
A similar expression is take a break, which is slightly more neutral and can refer to either a short or a longer period of rest.
6. To wind down
To wind down means to relax gradually after a busy, stressful or demanding period.
I need some time to wind down after such a hectic week.
We often use this phrasal verb when talking about the end of the working day or the time before bed.
I usually wind down in the evening by reading.
It takes me a while to wind down after work.
The key idea is that relaxation happens slowly. You do not suddenly stop feeling busy or alert; you gradually become calmer.
Common ways to wind down
read a book
listen to music
take a bath
go for a gentle walk
turn off your phone
watch something undemanding
7. Peace and quiet
Peace and quiet means a calm environment without noise, interruptions or distractions.
We’re going to the mountains for a week to get some peace and quiet.
You might say that you need, want or enjoy some peace and quiet.
After a busy day of meetings, I just need a bit of peace and quiet.
I enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside.
Notice that we normally say some peace and quiet or a bit of peace and quiet, rather than a peace and quiet.
Although this expression contains the word quiet, it does not always mean complete silence. It can simply mean freedom from pressure, demands and interruptions.
8. To laze around
To laze around means to spend time relaxing and doing very little.
On holiday, I like to laze around by the pool or on the beach.
This expression can sound positive when you are talking about deliberately enjoying some rest:
We spent Sunday lazing around at home.
However, it can also sound slightly critical if you use it to describe someone who should be doing something more productive:
He lazed around all morning instead of helping us.
As always, the meaning depends partly on the speaker’s tone and the situation.
You may also hear laze about, particularly in British English:
I spent the afternoon lazing about and reading.
How to use these expressions in conversation
Here are some natural questions you can use to practise this vocabulary:
How do you usually wind down after work?
What helps you recharge your batteries?
When did you last have a chance to put your feet up?
Do you find it easy to chill out?
Are you taking it easy this weekend?
Where do you go when you need some peace and quiet?
Do you enjoy lazing around on holiday?
How often do you take a breather during the working day?
Try answering the questions aloud. You could also record yourself speaking for one or two minutes and listen back to see how naturally you use the new expressions.
Example paragraph
Here is an example of how several of the expressions can be used together:
I’ve had a particularly hectic week, so I’m planning to take it easy this weekend. On Saturday morning, I’ll probably go for a walk, and then I’m going to put my feet up with a good book. Reading always helps me wind down and recharge my batteries. I’m not planning to go anywhere busy. I just want some peace and quiet.