HollyDay Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 I seem to have lost "my zen." I'm not able to really relax well. Granted the last 5 years have been one thing after another: deaths in family, deaths of friends, health crisises, moves, major life changes,etc. And I have a back problem that causes chronic pain. So, I suppose I have a fairly good reason for being less able to relax. But, I need to be able to increase "my zen." I can't keep going in crisis mode all the time. What helps y'all chill and relax? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Walking in nature. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 I think recovering the ability to chill and relax comes after an awful lot of escapist television. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Time Outdoors. Also, it really does help me to have one place that is an oasis in the house. So usually that's my bedroom. That room gets straightened and stays clean. I need one place in the house, if it's all a mess, where I can be okay. I'm the kind of person who really can't relax in a mess, so no piles of laundry, no cluttery messes, and I try to have it soothingly decorated. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 I'll add my voice to those who say being outdoors. That can be anything from taking a nature walk to just sitting outside and listening to the sounds around me (even if the sounds are man-made, man is part of nature) to gardening. Also: -Reading fiction. Disappearing into a good book is very relaxing to me. -Cuddling with my pets (currently two cats). -Working with my hands is relaxing - from crochet to sewing to doing any kind of craft (not really art, just crafty stuff). -Simple breathing meditation. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof1 Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Laying on a blanket outside reading a book. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 I also think nature is a great thing to help relaxing. We live in a large metroplex so quite country living (like where I grew up) is not to be found. Now that the weather is nice, I do walk whenever I can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Nature, naps, Lord of the Rings, an occasional margarita, and music. My mom feeds the birds and squirrels, I love watching them too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Nature, the sun, benadryl, bourbon (obviously the latter two not at the same time and not when alone with little kids or driving). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Reading, not for learning but escape & pleasure. Sitting outside (and reading outside) Watching hallmark movies, especially the Christmas ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 I usually find that I need to be alone when I’m hitting that point. Maybe it’s only an hour, but alone. Sometimes I need to be away from the house, sometimes I need my ‘clean, quiet’ space in the house (like fairfarmhand mentioned). It just depends on my alone-need at the time. I used to like hot baths, but now my tub sucks so not so much anymore. Riding my bike makes me feel kind of carefree and relaxed. Playing with my dogs. Forgetting it all, sitting down to my favorite nextflix shows and relaxing. Reading a British cozy mystery in my quiet space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 35 minutes ago, Katy said: Nature, the sun, benadryl, bourbon (obviously the latter two not at the same time and not when alone with little kids or driving). Not to derail, but what does bourbon taste like?I’ve often wondered, but have never had any. I also see brandy being consumed a lot on my British shows and don’t know what it tastes like either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Doing my barn chores in the early morning and evening. Spending time with my horses and dogs. Watching hockey. Lying in bed at night with dh and dogs and reading something interesting. Getting my house tidy and organized and decluttered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 3 hours ago, mmasc said: Not to derail, but what does bourbon taste like?I’ve often wondered, but have never had any. I also see brandy being consumed a lot on my British shows and don’t know what it tastes like either! Bourbon tastes like whiskey, but a bit smoother and smokier. Brandy is fruity like wine but stronger. It's distilled from wine. The quality of both depends a bit on the amount you spend, more than wine, where a cheap blend can taste better than an expensive "pure" bottle. You can go in a liquor store and buy tiny bottles if you want to sample something but not commit to a giant bottle, the kind they serve on airplanes, for just a few dollars. I don't drink much wine, for example, because it gives me headaches. But I buy tiny bottles - the kind with just a glass or two to use for recipes. Adding a glass of red wine to a roast, for example, makes all the difference in the world. If you're not a drinker for religious reasons or something you can always use them in a recipe. As long as it involves heat the alcohol will evaporate but the flavor will remain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 14 hours ago, Rosie_0801 said: I think recovering the ability to chill and relax comes after an awful lot of escapist television. That works for me too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 I need some level of physical exercise to be able to relax completely later. Is there anything you can do that won’t hurt your back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamanthaCarter Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Outdoors, alone. Time with an adoring dog, if you like them. The library, with no agenda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 It actually annoys me that the things that work best for me are the ones every doctor, website, and rational person recommends most! Exercise, eating healthy, sunlight, adequate sleep, and an engaging hobby. With a decent dose of binge watching and wine, lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathermomster Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 A hot bath, a piece of fried chicken, and a beach weekend never hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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