slökun

Slökun is the state or practice of relaxation, ease, and rest. In Icelandic, it refers to both a natural condition of reduced tension and a deliberate activity to calm the mind and loosen the body. The term is used in everyday speech as well as in health and wellness contexts.

Slökun derives from the verb slaka, meaning to slacken or loosen, with the suffix -un forming a noun of abstraction. The related verb phrase að slaka á means to relax or ease off, and discussions of slökun often pair it with activity or stress management.

In daily life, slökun appears in routines such as sleep, reading, listening to music, or gentle hobbies aimed at reducing fatigue. In medicine and sport, relaxation techniques like controlled breathing or progressive muscle relaxation are described as promoting slökun to reduce muscle tension and aid recovery.

In Icelandic wellness discourse, slökun is linked to mental health and resilience. Workplaces, schools, and therapists emphasize scheduled breaks and practices that foster slökun to prevent burnout and sustain performance.

Related concepts include relaxation and mindfulness.