Let’s be real, life gets hectic at times. Work, school, family, and a hundred other things seem to come our way, but whatever it is we have going on, we all have this one thing in common: we need rest. Our bodies are tailored to need therapeutic ways to release stress, anxiety, and all the other things we carry on our shoulders. We need healthy ways to release all that harms our bodies, making way to receive all that is good and adventurous. So how exactly can we do that? Luckily, we’ve found a few therapeutic ways you can ease your mind, just with your paddle board.

YOGA

Relaxation comes in many forms, but one of our absolute favorite ways to use a paddle board is through SUP yoga! For the unconventional yoga session, you can ditch the mat and listen to the peaceful sounds of the water around you. Different from traditional yoga, trying poses out on the water allows for you to hone in your focus on keeping balanced, and on all the amazing surroundings. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve laid out a few poses you can try next time you take your board out on the water—your inner-yogi will be sure to thank you.

MORNING OR EVENING PADDLE

Time is of the essence—we get it. It’s actually how ISLE started, with the mission of wanting to bring the benefits of paddle boarding, in the midst of busy lives, to people like you. This is why a morning or evening paddle is one of our favorite ways to de-stress and connect to our mind, body, and soul. With a morning paddle, you’ll be able to face the day with a clear mind, feeling awakened and refreshed, ready to take on any and all tasks. We also love an evening paddle, because it allows for you to process your day, and leave all stress and worries from the day on the water.

BRING A FRIEND ALONG (OR A FURRY FRIEND)

You may be reading this and think: “what if I don’t like to paddle alone?” We totally understand—some days you need company, and experts actually report that there are many benefits to socialization, such as an improved physical and mental health. And for our dog lovers, bringing along your furry friend for a peaceful paddle is a great way to spend time relaxing! So whether you choose to bring a friend along, your significant other, or your dog, there’s no greater gift than the time you get to spend with the people you love most; we’d say that’s pretty therapeutic.

HIGH INTENSITY EXERCISE

For some, a paddle along the water is therapeutic enough, but for those wanting to destress with something a little more vigorous, using a surfboard, or paddle board, for high-intensity exercise is more than possible. Experts at Harvard Health report that while stress can be impactful to our physical health, using the mind to help ease the body is a great way to combat stress, and aerobic exercise is a great medium in reducing those stress hormones. Anything from strength-training, to surfing, touring, racing, and yoga can prove to be a high-calorie burn workout, which is perfect for a therapeutic experience with your board.

FISHING

We believe one of the best ways to unwind on the water is by fishing—rod in hand, board beneath your feet. Believe it or not, fishing from a paddle board can actually prove to be more beneficial than on a boat or kayak. SUP fishing not only allows you to focus on bringing home some salmon for dinner, but it allows you to relax and focus on the views before you, rejuvenating your day in new ways.