How do you relax?

[RumoursOfAWhiteChristmas]

I've ds1 with ASD and ds2 possibly ASD. It's very hard work, I'm tired and could do with a break, but can't get one at the moment. What I could do with is tips on how to relax. I'm not too bad come the evening, but during the day if I sit for a minute with a cuppa I can't seem to relax at all. I also snap at the tiniest thing, I'm like a tightly wound coil.
When I do get a minute in the day I just can't keep still, I can't stop for a minute and relax.
Any tips?

Funnily enough I find exercise makes me relax - something about giving the stress hormone cortisol a good place to go. If you have a good pal and a park,there is nothing to beat a walk, talk and then coffee! Reckon it saved my sanity in the erly years, just fter diagnosis. Also a latte by myself and Heat magazine.

I try and go swimming once a week with a friend, I haven't managed every week but when I do it does help. I will try and do it more often. Thanks

The only thing that helps me relax is violent computer games. Of course, I can't play these when children aren't around, but then, I think that's why I find them relaxing. Shooting bandits in the cock is therapeutic.

My DH struggles with stress related headaches. The GP recommended an hours worth of cardio exercise a day. With his work/home life being abroad so much it's impossible. So he has taken up cycling and does 20km every Sunday, rain or shine. Headaches have gone, and he feels so much better.
Me.... I knit or bake. Watch crappy US dramas and probably eat too many biscuits!

I do the baking followed by eating too, good for a 5 minute fix, but my expanding backside says otherwise
It's during the day I struggle, I want to be able to switch off for a moment, but my mind is always thinking what to do next, even when the jobs are all done, I feel I should be doing something else, either housework or entertaining ds. I feel like I'm not allowed to sit down. It sounds a bit mad, but does it make sense?

Yoga. Maybe that might help refocus your mind and energies??

I bought a yoga book ages ago that I've not even looked at yet, will dig it out. Thanks again

The best thing I can do is go out for a run! It gives me time to switch off or think about things in complete silence! When I feel I really need time out...which doesn't happen often, I drive for 2 hours to the biggest mountain in this country and run up it! It's fab and I feel like I am ready to fight for my daughters needs again and no one can stand in my way. I do this before every annual review!!

Another one who swears by exercise here. I try and get to the gym 3 times a week and thrash out all my stress on the treadmill. It is usually a good social activity too - depending who is there at the time. I swear it is the only thing that has kept me relatively sane & off Prozac not to mention about 3 stone lighter for the last 13 years.

rumours,i am like that. i cannot relax . i work 4 days and in the weekend & evenings i really struggle to stay on top of the household - no time for sport or watching tv or reading etc (no respite)but when i find the to just sit down for a cuppa i cannot sit down and just switch off for even 5 mins - i always feel that i should not sit down and rather do ironing or cleaning... i just cannot switch off at all. really exhausting :(

My situation sounds very similar to yours . I am a bundle of worry at the mo and find myself wanting to snap and or cry at everything and nothing. Switching off during the day is the hardest thing. I'm really into walking and have been doing Joanna Hall's walkactive programme since the summer - its been brilliant - so relaxing and I've lost lots of weight too. I've just signed up to do an 8 week mindfulness course starting in Jan. I really want to get on top of this stressie stuff as its draining and doesn't help anyone. I worry about not being in good shape for my dc and that we feed off each others anxieties - eeks!

Whoops, oh, and my dh too!

It looks like I will have to get myself some exercise. Thanks for your replies . Life is just so stressful at the moment, we do cope but I am close to the edge so to speak. We have dogs and dh usually walks them, but wen I do I feel so much better. Exercise makes sense.

I'm in awe of running up a mountain!

Just had a quick look at the walkactive programme, it looks good. I have awful posture so it would really help that too.