How do you relax?

[EauRouge]

I've never really got the hang of it. I used to love running and it really helped with my mental health, but I've been injured for a couple of months now. One of my problems is that I'm constantly tense and I can't find a way to unwind and my muscles can't heal up while they're tense.

I've tried yoga and meditation and it's just not me. I can't clear my mind and I have trouble sitting still unless I'm watching a film or something. I have other things apart from running that I like doing but I really need to just loosen up and let the tension out of my muscles. I thought about a massage but I don't really like people touching me.

Please share your relaxation ideas with me! Thank you

[settingsitting]

I go outdoors. And basically stay outdoors, or pop in and out if the weather is bad, until I am relaxed.
I also try not to get too behind on my sleep.

And allot myself enough me time!
Not easy to do with younger children.
Perfectly easy to do now mine are older!

tbh, I think if you put a thread in chat about this, you would get a lot of replies.

[shadypines]

I find a creative hobby is really good, I enjoy cross - stitching. It's a great way to wind down. Also sometimes baking if I'm stressed.

Also just sitting and thinking with a cup of tea or coffee or gin and tonic

[Meglet]

I don't. Only a general anaesthetic calms me down.

15yrs of yoga never relaxed me at all. My abs are great but my nerves are a lost case .

[Meglet]

Lost cause even.

[DorothyGherkins]

I love to walk outdoors taking in the sights snd sounds, the longer the walk, the more relaxed I am for days after. I find getting totally immersed in something creative desttresses me, I can sew for hours. I used to relax reading a good book or watching a good tv programme, but I find them less gripping these days. I can lose myself in mumsnet for hours. But anything that makes me move, like walking or swimming seem to have the most benefit for me. And the worst thing for me is being surrounded by lots of noisy people, so relaxation for me is a solitary affair.

[Chocolategirl7]

I walk the dog extensively and try to notice the changing seasons through looking at the plants. I tend to walk in an urban area and like to notice what people have changed in their gardens or to their houses.
The other thing is swimming. The repetitive nature of lengths means I find it really hard to keep count of how many lengths I've done, so I try to focus on that to stop my brain thinking about other stuff.

[EauRouge]

Thanks for your ideas. I haven't been walking much because of my muscles. I've been trying to stretch more to loosen things up, I've had loads of baths and quite a lot of cocktails. A general anaesthetic sounds good! I had one last year and it was the best 2 hours sleep I'd had in years.

[mypip]

Well, staying with family in wales. You are never far from country or coast in wales. The sense of peace and stillness. My shoulders relax by themselves! Gentle walking is a pleasure and I sleep like a baby.