I asked ChatGPT and Gemini for the best ways to unwind — 7 ideas actually worked

A Tom's Guide editor put two AI chatbots to the test ahead of National Relaxation Day, which conveniently fell on a Saturday this year. He challenged ChatGPT and Gemini with two tasks: list the ten best ways to relax without spending any money, and suggest unconventional relaxation techniques he hadn't tried before.

Both chatbots returned a mix of familiar advice and genuinely surprising suggestions. The editor decided to test the recommendations during his designated chill day and bookmark the winners for future lazy weekends.

From ChatGPT, the editor adopted five techniques. The first was extended exhale breathing — inhaling for four counts and exhaling for six to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Second came progressive muscle relaxation, which involves tensing and releasing muscle groups from the feet up to the face. The chatbot also recommended a digital detox: putting the phone in another room for a few hours to break the cycle of constant notifications. A "Swedish" approach to rest — taking short, deliberate pauses throughout the day rather than saving all relaxation for the evening — proved useful too. Finally, ChatGPT suggested visualization: closing the eyes and picturing a serene setting like a beach or forest in vivid detail.

Gemini offered seven ideas, and the editor chose two standouts. The first was "forest bathing" — a slow, mindful walk through a park, paying close attention to birdsong, rustling leaves and the scent of trees. The second was creative catharsis: coloring, sketching or working with clay to shift the brain away from anxious rumination and into a state of flow.

In the end, the editor added all seven techniques to his regular rotation. He found breathing exercises and nature walks most effective for immediate calm, while the more unusual methods, such as art therapy, brought fresh variety to his routine. The experiment showed that AI can serve as a surprisingly practical source of wellness advice — provided you're willing to test its suggestions in the real world.