January was a long year and Punxsutawney Phil predicted a few more weeks of winter, so many of us could use a pick-me-up right about now. Yes, you can travel to a spa, volunteer for a good cause, eat fancy chocolate, or take a (potentially chilly) hike to de-stress, but there are other ways to seek solace nearby, too. Here are some options.
Rage Against the Machines
Sometimes you just need to smash something. At Lose It Rage Room in Woodbridge, you can take a bat or sledgehammer to all kinds of breakables (including items brought from home, if you so choose). The facility offers cathartic sessions such as “Therapy,” which gives you 10 minutes to smash a variety of objects—from tables and chairs to electronics, glass and vinyl records—to smithereens. Go it alone or with a group of up to eight people. The minimum age is 6 and everyone 15 or younger must have a parent or guardian present. For a similarly smashing experience, check out Kraken in D.C.’s Penn Quarter. // 3085 Golansky Blvd., Woodbridge
Drown Out Debbie Downer
Twice a month on Saturdays from 2-3 p.m. (check the calendar for exact dates; the next one is March 15), you can immerse yourself in soothing sounds at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Arlington with a Sound Bath in MoCA’s Tiffany Gallery. Facilitators use a variety of instruments, such as chimes, crystal quartz and Tibetan sound bowls, to create calming auditory sensations. All you need is a yoga mat and blanket, and a journal should you opt to reflect on the experience at the end. Tickets are $22. Note: MoCA Arlington also offers Yoga in the Galleries. // 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Goat With the Flow
OK, so the goats at Beth Wolfe’s Goat Yoga classes don’t actually do down-dogs—at least not intentionally—but they give us humans a welcome dose of cuteness. Wolfe leads indoor classes once a month at Faith Lutheran Church, welcoming 15-18 goats from Walnut Creek Farm. The farm is owned by Maureen Noftsinger, an emergency critical care vet who keeps a herd of about 20 goats as pets. “We firmly believe in consent and boundaries for the goats, so if any of the herd decide they don’t want to participate, we leave it up to them,” Wolfe says. “We frequently have what we call a ‘yoga mat goat,’ when one or more of them plop down on a mat to receive cuddles and treats, but decide not to otherwise participate, and we love that for them.” Classes are capped at about 50 human participants. This activity is best for anyone 10 or older who is comfortable with animals. (Youngsters must be accompanied by an adult.) Tickets are $40. // 3313 Arlington Blvd., Arlington (Ashton Heights)
Find Focus with Arlington Meditation
People have used meditation to quiet the mind and body for thousands of years. The health benefits of meditating include reducing negative feelings, focusing on the present and lowering resting blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to use it for healing, inspiration or better sleep, this organization has free guided classes online for all ages. In-person one-on-one or small group sessions are available, too, with a membership. // 5655 Columbia Pike, Falls Church
Chill at the Library
The inherent quiet of a library is enough to bring heart rates down a notch, but Arlington Public Library also offers programming designed to help you relax. Spend your Wednesday lunch break at Practicing Mindfulness at the Courthouse Library, 12-12:45 p.m. Make Mindful Art twice a month, also at Courthouse. Get your giggles out at Laughter Yoga (no poses, just yogic breathing) on March 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Central Library. For a full list of wellness classes, check the calendar.
Let Those Worries Float Away
Go weightless in a floatation tank at Synergy Float Center in Alexandria. According to owner Chris Jones, a disabled veteran, flotation therapy releases endorphins, which are “natural pain fighters.” One study found the process reduced levels of cortisol, aka the “stress hormone.” Tubs are filled with warm water and about 1,000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt to create an affect akin to floating in Israel’s Dead Sea. The pods, which have no locks, are lightproof and soundproof to remove distractions. Each room is private and has its own shower and dressing space. // 1240 N. Pitt St., Alexandria
Get a Dopamine Boost
Dopamine Land is a pop-up multisensory experience in the District that combines media, technology and play to offer an escape from reality. Each of the 11 rooms of has a different theme designed to appeal to the senses and release dopamine, the so-called “feel good” hormone. Duke it out to high-energy sound and lights in the Pillow Fight Room. Or find peace and stillness in the Decompression Room. The experience, which takes 45-60 minutes to complete, starts and ends in the Bubble Bar, where you can dive into a ball pit and visit the Aromatherapy Oxygen Bar. Tickets, available through March 9, range from $15.40-20. The whole space is family-friendly. // 5333 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.