Mumsnet users share the novel ways they make time for themselves with Nintendo

[JustineBMumsnet]

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It can feel impossible to make time for yourself at the best of times, let alone when you’re juggling working from home and playing the role of teacher on top of your day-to-day home life. With free time often scarce and always precious, Nintendo would like to hear about the novel ways you’ve been making time for yourself at the moment.

Here’s what Nintendo has to say: “Keeping your mind active and taking some time out for yourself is really important and using quick games that engage your brain can be a great way to relax. Dabbling in puzzles, board games and a spot of brain training can help you to focus your mind on the here and now and give you the chance to relax when you have a few precious moments of quiet.”

Have you been taking extended loo breaks to achieve some much needed alone time even if the scenery isn’t the most appealing? Perhaps now the kids are home all the time you’ve got them involved with your relaxation rituals? Have you been entertaining yourself with video or brain training games? What do you do to relax if you have just a few minutes to yourself?

Whatever the ways you’re making time for yourself, share on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

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I usually work evenings but one way lockdown has been good for me is the down time in the evenings where the kids are in their bedrooms and I can get out my 3ds that I've had for years but not had chance to play much or the Wii U that ds gave me now he has his switch. I've been playing a lot of the Layton mysteries.

The other way is when dh is free we are really getting into Riverdale on Netflix so we sit watching that with Ice cream or popcorn but slowly weening myself off the sugar so when I go back to work I won't miss it too much.

I love going running to get some head space!

Staying up way too late to read or watch TV!
When the weather was warmer I would take my lunch break from work after my dc & float around in the paddling pool pretended I was on holiday somewhere.
Pool to myself for half an hour, not getting splashed in the face... bliss!

I have been know to steal my sons DS computer for a bit of brain training! But also love a pampering bath and facemask!

My kids played hair salons and I was their customer. That was not so relaxing so I suggested they open a spa! Now I get massages and to lie down with relaxing music. Strangely, I also have to play velcro darts at this spa, but I don't mind in exchange for the massage!

We've also been doing family movie nights with a takeaway, once a week, which has been a really nice way to wind down together.

Escaping for a long hot bath with a good book, although even then I can't always escape!

With both young children being at home, I don't really have any time alone and the noise is relentless so I can't concentrate on anything like reading or puzzles. Also, if I leave them alone they think thateans they can paint their bodies, empty all the toys out, draw on mirrors, fight.... so I have to sit in the same room as one of them. The only time I get time to do something for myself is evening when we all get on a tablet each or the Switch and play games. The children seem to accept this as the only activity I am allowed to do where they are happy! I really miss going to the gym just to be alone!

We do mindfulness together at bedtime

Mainly staying up too late as that's the only time I really get away from the DC! Some nights I do stuff with DH, but others will head up to bed to read or watch TV up there.

Taking advantage of working from home to put a wash on/peg it out etc. Only 5 mins of a job and can be done whilst kettle boiling for a brew, so using the time I'd usually be waiting in the office kitchen to get the washing done during the week - leaving weekends laundry free.
Also - fold washing whilst listening to webinars!

Going out for a walk in the pouring rain so i can just be by myself!!!!

I book massages wherever possible! Once every month or so and I just LOVE the hour to myself- there's nothing like it!

I make a excuse to go to the shop, leave my 5 kids with their dad then I go for a VERY VERY slow quiet walk to the supermarket down the road and take as much time as I can, even sitting on the wall outside on my phone for a bit of peace and quiet, then I get home and blame the long queues in the shop hahaha it's VERY loud in our house with 5 kids running around and the toys making noises or music so any 5 minutes quiet time is a real blessing for me !!

I go out to my greenhouse and tend to my plants. I am a novice gardener but bought seeds, carted in a load of soil and have managed to grow lots of new things to eat since lockdown. Flowers too! The kids don't really like it there as its too hot so I have it all to myself! I was also very surprised to find that they love fresh peas and beans and eat them like sweets, so an unexpected bonus is that they are eating more greens

I get up early and go for a run. Much easier to do in the summer months. In winter I go to bed earlier and read.

Animal crossing has been my escape during lockdown. My daughter had it for Easter, but we have been playing it every day. It is such a calm game and I have really enjoyed the escapism.
I have also read more books during the last few months than I have read for years.

I stay up later than I should just to get some time on my own.

Staying up late at night and inventing 'essential' little chores so I can nip out of the house for an hour (amazing how a trip to the supermarket feels like a treat on e you have kids!)

I’ve started C25K...again! Whilst I have loved walking lots with DD during lockdown, my 30-40 minute runs (jogs!) have been a bit of me time!

I went for a super long walk and agreed after much begging that ds1 could come with me. He was so tired by the end he says he is never coming again. Freedom!

Staying up to read, I’ve also got hooked on escape room puzzles and online scrabble!

Gardening, like to go out just before it gets dark and tidy up

Getting up at 5 am so I can have 1.5 hours to my self. Easily do it in the summer but cut back to 1 hour in the winter.

I’d love a switch! We sold ours at the start of lockdown, sadly.
To get my 'me time' I read anything and everything, but mostly fiction. I also like to play games like solitaire or plants vs zombies on my iPad when I get some time in the evening.