Tell me what you do to relax/switch off?

[LoveBeingAMum555]

OK so I know this sounds a bit silly, so please be kind. I am quite an anxious person with a stressful job and I find it really hard to sit down and switch off, especially on an evening. I am not a big telly watcher and I am spending far too much time mindlessly scrolling on social media. I do like reading but sometimes find it hard to concentrate.

Assuming you are lucky enough to get some time on an evening to yourself, what do you do? For reference we live in a tiny rural village in the middle of nowhere, so not much to actually go out and do and I cant commit to much on an evening anyway because I sometimes have to work.

Do I need a new hobby? Happy to listen to all suggestions!

I go on TikTok to switch off, so I can’t help you !

Jigsaws and knitting!

I find a comfy seat in an undisturbed place and pop on an audio book. It's easier to absorb than reading I find. When I look for new books I listen to the free trail and make sure it's a soothing voice . Also in the evening radio 2 has a programme with Angela someone ( actress on Waterloo road ?) her voice is very soothing and the tracks are well chosen too . It can be found on I play so can be accessed at any time. For me, taking myself off for an hour or so is enough to re set for the rest of the day . Hope you find something that works for you!

Reading, or sometimes I do an online yoga class.

I listen to stories on YouTube and do crochet and cross stitch. Sometimes I don't listen to anything I just do the crafting. I like to garden as well.

Gardening, gets you outside and keeps you fit!

At this time of year I really enjoy an evening walk. It helps me to unwind and relax.

Doing puzzles while listening to audiobooks
Baking
Exercising

Tai chi
deep breathing
gardening
puzzles
walking
keeping off social media improved my concentration so I can read books again!

I listen to music on my headphones, sing along to it.
I read, watch Netflix and itvX, get engrossed in dramas.
Aqua aerobics
Have a bubble bath, give myself a manicure and pedicure

Reading. I'm a bit obsessive with it though. I've stayed up all night reading a good book before. It's not great for productivity.

Running, listening to classical music, hillwalking, weeding my enormous weedfest garden, reading, phoning a friend.

Go for short walk ever day
Yoga videos
Play music - learn an instrument
It's a bit of a trek to a teacher where we are but there are actually loads of music groups locally ( small rural town )

Jigsaw whilst listening to podcasts/Radio4

Crafting

Drinking too much

Read books, magazines, do crossword and sudoku puzzles, diamond art. Listen to true crime youtube videos or YouTube. A nice hot bath and then some masturbation if I'm being honest. Get husband to massage me if he's home.

I'm a Cub Scout leader. Once a week and one in four weekends (roughly) I have to focus on that.

Have a hectic job with long hours and often don't want to go but after I've been I feel energised (partly I also think getting outside away from my home office is part of it but volunteering makes me do that). I'm also very protective of the evening I volunteer. Meetings get rejected (work with the US time zone a lot.)

I'm a huge BBC sounds user. I also do something mindless like sudoku.

Tiktok & mountain walks

You can get "unsolved" murder case files games, which are great fun, you can do alone or get the whole family involved.

It's basically a puzzle but they are quite difficult but fun.

Playing armchair detective basically

Pre kids I used to smoke a joint and watch something on Netflix. Post kids I just doom scroll tiktok. When I was pregnant I really enjoyed doing a cross stitch for baby's bedroom so might try another one!