Mumsnet users share how they relax when they have 10 minutes spare with Nintendo

[LibbyMumsnet]

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For parents, little moments of relaxation can be few and far between, if they happen at all! Reaching the bottom of your never-ending to-do list is a good enough excuse for a little celebration to cherish the spare moment of having some me-time. With this in mind, Nintendo would like to hear how you relax when you have a few minutes to spare.

Here’s what Nintendo has to say: “It’s not easy to switch off when you’ve had a hectic day but it is important to spend some precious moments on yourself even if that means ten minutes with a cup of tea on the sofa. But what if you could spend those ten minutes escaping to a deserted island? Sit back and relax in a calming world that enjoys the slower pace of life whilst you build up your island however you want in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”

What do you do to relax when you have as little as 10 minutes to spare? Do you take the opportunity to have a quick power nap before you’re inevitably interrupted by your babbling toddler or disgruntled teenager? Perhaps you call your friend for a well needed gossip catch-up? Or maybe you pick up and dust off that book you bought months ago which you have never got around to reading?

Whether you go for a head-clearing walk, scroll through social media or play a quick video game, share on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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Depends on my mood.

• If I need to get out of the house to clear my head, I walk the dog.
• If I fancy a chat, I’ll call someone.
• If I’m fed up of my DH & kids asking me to do things, I might have a shower or intentionally take longer in the bathroom

Highest chance they won’t disturb me there!

• If I’m at work, I’ll go and make a cup of tea and read the headlines.

My favourite way of relaxing is going for a swim but, obviously, not with only 10 minutes to spare so I a couple of surfing or “big wave” clips on you tube which is almost as good.

Coffee and a book. I have a kindle that I normally take with me wherever I am so can quietly read if I get a few minutes peace.

A smile, a cup of black tea, a wander round the house, a kiss on the heads of my children. I couldn't ask for more

Reading, browsing MN, playing a game on my iPad, doing a row or two of whatever knitting project is in hand, doing some embroidery.

In 10mins I like having a cup of tea and no interruptions. Having a break from being asked questions all the time is a treat!

Ten minutes spare is a cuppa, a sit down, and closing my eyes. Just a chance to breath, and stop. Sometimes life feels so busy - and the constant list running in my head so enervating - that to physically stop is the most refreshing thing. It feels very indulgent, but yet is essential to feeling calm and able to cope. If I have longer, I might watch some TV or do a crossword, but the 10 minute power-rest is a great thing!

10 minutes to me equals sitting up on the kitchen side with my phone and either looking at social media with a cuppa of playing Scrabble Go.

I read a lot but not usually during the day, you can guarantee that as soon as my youngest years the turn of a page he will start mithering to play cards or something

Candy crush and a bag of crisps.

Cup of tea and pick up my crochet.

Definitely cup of tea a little snack and a bit of mumsnet! Or since lockdown knitting!

Coffee and a good book for me

I love a hot chocolate and an adult colouring book, plus lots of cuddles with my dog.

In an ideal world I'd do a ten minute guided mediation but I'm much more likely to spend it scrolling on Mumsnet, playing a game on my phone or even a quick catch up with Animal Crossing.

I love cyst removal videos on YouTube, or zombie films. Very calming.

I pretty much spend every spare minute I have crocheting (or reading Mumsnet)

Cup of coffee and a bit of sudoku.

Cup of flavoured coffee, a piece of chocolate and a rummage through Mumsnet or Twitter.

I declutter a small area of our home. It's a bit like meditating because I'm doing a repetitive action and I can just zone out. No thinking involved.

Coffe, biscuits and Mumsnet.
Or just sit and stare

If it’s 10 minutes and not long enough to get properly stuck into anything, I usually have a jigsaw on the go and will make a cup of tea and try and do a few pieces. Usually goes a bit over 10 minutes but it’s a short enough burst to make a bit of progress without reaching the point of getting fed up with all the remaining pieces looking the same.

In all honesty I do one of two things. Either I reach for my phone & catch up on insta. I follow either fashion bloggers or cake makers (there is something mesmerising about seeing someone ice a cupcake!) Or I have a cup of coffee and a moment of stillness and do absolutely nothing.

Park myself on the sofa with a Dulce Gusto cafe-au-lait and one of the following:
My current book
YouTube
Mumsnet 50-bookers thread
Witcher 3 on DS's Nintendo Switch (because there's nothing quite like slaughtering nasty monsters to let off steam)

During the day it will be a dive into my killer sodoku book. In the evenings I am partial to a bit of Animal Crossing! I find it quite soothing to run around in the dark, it's quieter than during the day. I will quite often just stare at the sky listening to the sea.

I listen to a short podcast or read an 'enriching' article from one of the weekend sections of The Sunday Times.