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

[LibbyMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed

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

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

I travel the globe 🌍 I daydream of somewhere in the world I could be right now other than where I'm living then I open YouTube and watch a livestream of that place mostly I'm in London or Hawaii 😃🌈👍

I dive into a book - ebooks have been a life saver in many a stressful moment. Opening up the Kindle app automatically makes me feel more relaxed, even before settling in to a whole new world with each chapter. I also have a stack of actual books to read - not only do I enjoy reading for myself but I think of the great example I'm setting for my son about the joys of reading.

I'd pick up my 'Take a Break' magazine, read an article and try to finish a crossword.

If I have 10 minutes I like to sit in a quiet room (not always easy to find in our house) and listen to a quick 5 minute guided relaxation or mindfulness recording and then listen to one of my favourite feel good songs, get up dance and sing along to it - both of these things are great stress relievers and really help clear my head and help me feel good for the rest of the day.

My guilty pleasure for escapism is reading Take a Break magazine the puzzles are the right level of challenging to take my mind off other things whilst not being too taxing, and the outlandish real life stories are always sure to make me feel like my own troubles are relatively trivial in comparison.

Playing animal crossing 😄😄😄

I find it very relaxing to sit down and pick up either a Sudoku or KenKen mathematical puzzle which will fully absorb my attention for 10 minutes.

Im trying to learn Korean on Duolingo so is probably do that. Or read Mumsnet 😁

I play the piano. Music soothes the savage beast. (Me!)

Cup of tea, one of the kids snacks and looking at random stuff (and sometimes buying) that I dont need

Cup of tea and watching TV

watching youtube videos

The best way I relax when I get 10 minutes (or a little more) is to get my recipe books out and plan what I am making for dinner for the next week - once I am organised that way, I feel more relaxed knowing my shopping lists are done and menu's are planned - lockdown has made me more organised and I have gained a passion for cooking, and now am the proud owner of a cupboard of herbs and spices - and know when , why and what works well to make the most healthy meals. May sound a little bizarre - but it works for me.

A cup of tea, some crisps and browse mumsnet and maybe Rightmove, I look at the properties worth many millions and imagine what I would do if I lived there.

Funnily enough, I just bought a switch (for me!) and I do like to sit and play Animal Crossing for 10 minutes. It's a very peaceful activity.

When the weather is nicer, I like to take a coffee or glass of wine (depending on time of day) and just sit quietly in the garden listening to the birds.

A g&t and a good book would be my idea of heaven!

I usually grab some chocolate if it's pre 6pm. Post 6pm it's wine usually.

Glass of wine and Mumsnet!

I put my favourite songs on & paint my nails

I play the piano and mostly I enjoy playing tunes that remind me of my childhood, Christmas and my grandparents

For me it's one of three things:

1. Continue reading a book that I'm already reading (I wouldn't start a new book if I only had 10 minutes)

2. Listen to music

3. There's an addictive game at the moment called Among Us, which I play with family. Games with family always relax me.

Read a chapter of two of a book usually!

I light a scented candle and have a cup of tea and read a book.

I go and sit out in the garden and just listen to the birds and look at the sky.

If it's only ten minutes I'll disappear upstairs with a book. But if I've got longer I'll run a hot bath with aromatherapy bath oils (and maybe a glass of wine).