What do you do to deal with stress?

[parrotonmyshoulder]

Stressful job, extra so at the moment. I cope fine with it when I’m there and it is the nature of the job - it’s not anything that will change. On leave soon so I can see an end in sight!
I’d like to hear what people do when they get home to de-stress. Nothing seems to be appealing to me at the moment. I do have counselling fortnightly, which helps (not just with the work stress). What do you do to relieve stress?

Shower and get changed when I get in. Go sit in the park and read when it’s light, go to yoga a lot, read on the sofa, ring friends, work on my business, listen to a podcast over dinner, watch whatever drama I am working my way though.. book club occasionally, community meetings occasionally

This is when I am in. Start with easy stuff like an Adrienne yoga session on you tube, or buy or borrow a bunch of easy read books.

Learning a language and a musical instrument; both take a lot of concentration and hard work so no room left for thinking about stressful things. Meditation. Listening to classical music. Listening to audio courses from The Great Courses. Basically anything that fully occupies my brain. And if too tired for all that then lying in bed listening to favourite audiobooks.

Those are great ideas. I have done yoga for several years and before that did martial arts. Also started learning an instrument a few years ago. I’ve always loved reading and I live in a beautiful area for walks.

Since having covid, I can’t seem to do any of it. I know I need to do something to help myself feel better, but can’t.

Apparently it’s small things, done regularly. My 3 things I’m trying to do are; drink loads of water, only have my laptop in one room (rather than carry it around with me like a needy appendage) and move more.