To ask how you turn your stressy brain off?

[wineandcheeese]

.. and relax?

I think I pretend to relax. I’m currently sat in a fluffy dressing gown and slippers with a cup of tea and the television on. I look relaxed. But my brain won’t shut up with all the things I need to do / pointless fretting etc etc. It’s so annoying!!

It even happens when I’m doing something uber relaxing like getting a massage or having a bath!

I just want to know how to properly switch off from life’s stresses even if it’s just for half an hour or so So pleaaaase share your tips for switching off!

Times tables. The hard ones, eg 17 and 23. While swimming.

Reading a book. I have to do it every night to wind down or I can't switch off. TV doesn't engage all of me enough but TV plus silly puzzle games on my phone like Tetris works.

Mindfulness. Check out www.padraigomorain.com/

Go caffeine free (helps stop the round and round thoughts).
Write down the stresses and write what you are going to do about them.
Even write down the pointless ones.
Look up Automatic Negative Thoughts. You may find some of your stress thoughts (particularly the pointless ones) are actually ANTs and you can do something about it with a little effort:

Make a list, assign a day to do the task then forget till the day and do first thing so you get to spend some time feeling smug at crossing things of your list.

Get some adult colouring books and a set of gel pens to colour with. Honestly, it works like a charm.

Sudoku - just about distracting enough :)

I also visualise a cardboard filing box and picture taking the stressy thought OUT of my brain and filing it. If it's important, I write a note in my diary to deal with it later. If not, I file it under "Fck it" 😊

Knitting. Especially really hard patterns that I need to concentrate on.

Exercise, praying

There's some relaxation hypnosis on youtube. Don't just 'listen' to them. Really concentrate on the words and follow the instructions.

RuPaul's drag race

I listen to audio books and podcasts. They force you to focus and you can't really think about other things at the same time.

Wine!

a spin class or the gym. you cant think when you're struggling to breathe

No idea OP but I need help with this too. I’m so short tempered at the moment as well!

Walk in the woods. It's the only time.i feel.properly calm

Swimming in the sea, although I can only do it a few times a year. It's so cold I can't think of much else. And the thought of sharks that we don't get in the uk focuses the mind.
Sometimes a very long run helps but I can only get out once or twice a month.

Basically I've accepted I'm in a permanent state of high street and anxiety for my 40's .

Audio books, I can't fall asleep without listening to one if I've got a lot on my mind. As a pp said, you have to properly listen and it's surprising how quickly you'll fall fast asleep.

Insight timer app - loads of free meditations and relaxations for any amount of time you want to spend.

I am the same I rarely switch off. Even at yoga class my brain is whizzing through work stuff. To some extent I have accepted that I won't relax properly until I retire - maybe not even then!

Running.

Outdoor cold water swimming.

Difficult observational drawing eg life class.

Basically, it has to be totally non-verbal and it has to be reasonably difficult.

I count, slowly. Really helps me.

Journal. Writing down what's bothering me and acknowledging it makes me feel better.

Wow thanks for all the suggestions. I’ve just downloaded the insight timer app. I love the ideas of adult colouring and audio books too, and the knitting suggestion reminded me of how much I used to love doing cross stitch with my nan when I was off school poorly. And so I’ve browsed some kits online and found a really nice baby theme one that I think I’m going to start doing for my a friend of mine whose expecting!

Wine is a fab idea Nicky - I love unwinding with a glass or two in the evening but I’m trying to cut back especially in the week!

Glad it’s not just me though.

And I don't mean just counting to 5 and breathing I mean I count until there is nothing left but the numbers.

Podcasts. Even when alone I put headphones in and turn it up load. Drou ds out the mind whirring.

Id recommend Serial and My Dad Wrote a Porno.