How do people actually relax in the evenings

[Hyobywater]

I have been feeling lately like evenings go by very quickly and even when everything is done I still feel a bit restless I usually sit down and scroll without really enjoying it so I was just wondering what other people do to properly relax at the end of the day nothing major just curious

Jigsaw, crochet, rug-making, read, origami, long baths, yoga, listen to music.

I tend to forget I do own a television 😆

That sounds lovely and very intentional which is probably what I’m missing. I might steal a couple of these ideas and see if it helps me feel less restless in the evenings.

I read on my kindle.

A nice glass of port and my knitting

We all eat together and clean up. Often do a quiz or play cards. I go to bed by 9.00 and read my book, then I get up early and have a couple of hours in the morning for doing a bit of jigsaw, crossword, sewing, and chores.

I feel the same because there is just so much that still needs doing. And for over a decade I didn't really have evenings to relax - just spent all the time coaxing my ADHD DCs to go to sleep....then back to sleep all night. Grabbing a bit of sleep whenever I could.

I've definitely lost the art of relaxing.

What works for me is

1. delegating the washing up after dinner
2. playing the piano
3. reading in bed before going to sleep.

Telly

I think the trick to everything in life is put away the phone!! It’s weirdly difficult to force yourself to do nice things/ watch something that isn’t just mindlessly flicking etc!! When I read/ do a soduku/ colour/ watch a film I’ve always wanted to watch I actually feel a thousand times more satisfied but yet my brain goes to sit and scroll or watch five episodes of Friends (fine if I watch one but after yheee I’m barely paying attention!!)

I tend to do “something” most evenings. That something will either be a run, a trip to the gym, a home workout or dinner with a friend.

im not great at sitting still! I cook dinner to fit around my plans. So either at at 6:30 or at about 8:45.

apart from that I tend to either watch telly, read or wallow in the bath.

I go to yoga a few times a week, then have a bath and read my kindle, then listen to my history podcast before bed.

H & I give each other a foot massage each evening. That helps with relaxation.

Knitting is great for relaxation because the rhythm of the needles is soothing and meditative.
I also read a lot or just sit and snuggle up on the sofa for cuddles with my big woolly dog.

Cook and tidy up. Scroll mindlessly on my phone, watch tv, read. I do gym in the mornings, work full time, have a teenager, so feel I deserve this down time.

I really relate to this especially the feeling of losing the art of relaxing after so many years of just getting through the evenings. That sounds utterly exhausting and it makes sense that switching off doesn’t come naturally after that. I like how practical your ideas are though especially delegating the washing up so the evening actually starts earlier. Reading in bed feels like a gentle way to wind down too rather than jumping straight into sleep. It’s reassuring to know it’s something that can be relearned rather than just gone.

Something to be said for Netflix and chill, I mean it as written of course!