To ask how you relax

[MyKingdomForACaramel]

I think I am by nature a “stressed” person - I find it difficult to unwind. I have not long started a business that means I work at home and am finding it hard to unwind at the end of the working day (or even define when the end of the working day is), and am wondering what other people’s “winding down” rituals or triggers are? On a Friday a glass of wine signalling the end of the week does it for me, but obviously not practical for every day... any ideas

Bra off.

exercise and a warm bath

If I'm particularly stressed and so can't really settle with a book or film, I can inane little facebooks games (solitaire etc). It helps my brain to switch off a bit.

Put on comfy clothes is always nice .... I work from home and I have found doing an art class out of the house extremely relaxing as it forces me to do an hour and a half of essentially meditative practice. Maybe a yoga class? I think its hard if home and work are the same place .

Uniforms are laid out, I'm lying on my bed MNing.

Go for a run or do yoga

@abracadabra - so true - but with Home being work whispers sometimes the bra never goes on!

Any kind of exercise helps me to relax. I walk to and from work which is 40 minutes twice a day, helps me chill out before work and wind down after. My head is in a better place if I do yoga regularly, and tip top if I get a regular 40 mile bike ride in. I still probably drink too much wine though.

Ps I love taking my bra off when I get in from work too!

I knit, read, do jigsaws, surf the internet, soak in the bath, go swimming at my gym then chill out in steam room or sauna or hot tub

@youthecat - that’s a really good idea actually. That would get me away from checking emails and I can get quite into some of those games. Thinking about it, when I worked in an office I did the cross word on the train home to relax, so puzzle games could be perfect

2.5 mg valium and a glass of ice cold Pinot Grigio. Then bed.

Only necessary when all the other tips refuse to work for me. I have a lot going on now with illness and hospice care and etc. So needs must sometimes.

Horrible times need medicating now and then. Do not flame me please, you do not know what I am going through.

Hoppy quite frankly if I could get Valium it would be first on my list - so no flaming from me!

wine

and maybe a bath

MyKingdom,

I wish you well, thanks for not having a go at me. Sometimes struggles that are heartbreaking need meds.

Other than that I find a long walk, no phones, no radio no nothing helps. And a pack of tissues as I cry in the most open of places. People must think I am mad, but I am normal, just letting it out.

Board games - by which I mean good strategy games not monopoly etc.

Means I interact with my other half and/or kids, in a fun competitive environment in a way which gets me away from my screens.

I have been seriously stressed sometimes - sleeplessness, chest pains etc - and have managed to get so thoroughly absorbed in the intellectual challenges presented by a good game that I have forgotten all about work for a few hours and that has enabled me to get some perspective and reset my head.

There are times when mere distraction - TV, bath etc, are nice but just don’t cut it.

Run, bath, pjs.

I work full time and run a little business selling my art online. That is how I relax, creating the art work. When I don't have any to do, then I struggle to relax. Browsing on my phone usually.

I love but rarely have the chance or time to just sit alone In a coffee shop and read. Yoga class if budget allows which isn't often so feels decadent.

I work from home at the moment. I switch off by doing yoga, having a cup of herbal tea, and watching something funny on Netflix

I like to game or have sex (failing that a good solo orgasm works).

But a good book will also do. I like using Sleepy by Lush to unwind too.