Ask the Readers: What Do You Do to Relax?
Editor's Note: Congratulations to Laura, Christie, and Linda for winning this week's contest!
Everyone needs some time to get away from the stresses of our daily lives, but how we spend that time differs from person to person.
What do you do to relax? How long does it take before you feel recharged? Do you need to schedule time to make sure you unwind?
Tell us about what you do to relax and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
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If it's summer I sit out on the deck and read a book or just sip a glass of wine and enjoy listening to the sounds of the outside.
95% of my stress is caused by my hubby of 40 years, so i used to drive truck, now i cannot physically, so i take as many short vacations as possible...even when i'd come home while driving, the tension would get so bad that i'd be glad to leave (sometimes)...now maybe i need to "get a new plan" but my way of dealing with an uncomfortable spouse allows my to see wondrous things-locally i have alot of investi-gation to do, alot of neat, fun places to visit
My favorite relaxing thing to do is kayaking! (Although going on a choppy lake is not exactly relaxing, but it's really fun!) A quiet paddle like a friend and I did last night, watching the sun set over the lake from our boats, just lovely.
I relax by zoning out in front of the TV. I love watching Bravo reality shows.
Baking bread. Punching the dough is very therapeutic!
I like to read in a comfortable corner with a nice cup of chamomile tea and some classical music playing. My cats agree, and like to snuggle up on the blanket on my lap. I try to do this at least once a week in the evening when my husband wants to watch a show or play his video games.
I exercise to relax.
I get out my coloring book and go to town. Completely removes me from whatever situation was stressing me out
I'm a hardcore introvert, so I recharge in solitude, of which urban living affords very little. I've thought about starting a business renting out study carrels to introverts on lunch break, so they can stretch out have an excuse not to deal with other people for awhile.
Wine. Just wine. Sometimes that is the only thing that works.
I just returned from an hour and a half walk around my neighborhood. What began as a daily fitness and weight loss routine has turned into a relaxing and contemplative way to begin the day. Since I live in the desert, I walk just after dawn and it's beautiful. i greet neighbors and know every dog in the development. I am lucky enough to be retired so I have no time restraints. As a bonus, I've lost weight and am in the best physical shape of my 65 years!
I like taking an one hour nap to relax
Log off from my laptop, listen to music and sip a cup of coffee in that order.
I listen to Reggae and light up some incense...never fails.
I get silly with my daughter. Blanket fort, trip to the park, walk on the beach, whatever. No matter how stressed out I am about school, money, or life in general, seeing her joy manages to put my anxiety in perspective.
After work (around 11 PM), a couple hours of mindless Pinterest-ing and snuggling with my cat. On my days off, after I've finished all the errands I have, I like to run around Skyrim, slaying dragons (glass of mead optional :)).
I like to go in my room and read or send the kids outside. I sometimes will just take a bubble bath and relax in the tub for awhile
To relax, I enjoy a warm cup of coffee flavored with a tsp of coconut oil with the company of my two dogs and my husband. A moment in time before supper, we relax together as a family.
I need help with this! Date nights and zoning out in the pinterest humor section help me relax :)
Pray. Realize nothing lasts forever. Listen to classical music. Or "Sketches of Spain" by Miles Davis. Unplug. Just be in the moment.
I enjoy kicking it back after work and popping in a good movie or starting up Netflix. Nothing like watching a film to relax!
Exercise & read. I do those things daily.
My ultimate relaxing day is at the beach. On a daily basis, I read to relax. I love my books. I read before bed every night, which helps me fall asleep. Some nights it doesn't take too long!
Read, watch tv, listen to music and there are times that I just need to get away so vacations are great.
drink
I relax while enjoying a meal with friends.
I love to sit outside in the summer and read a good book! If I have an iced tea, that's even better.
A good book, a nice cold glass of ice tea and a shady spot in a lawn chair. No electronics = relaxation :)
I work in my garden... water plants, trim things, just putter around. Being outside is relaxing, watching the birds, frogs, dragonflys, etc. Then I sit on the patio with a book & a cup of tea.
My favorite way to relax is to head to my nearest Barnes and Noble bookstore, grab a latte and wander the aisles for an hour or so. It's my Zen-place.
I relax by reading a good book in a hot bath
Last night I rode my bike 10 miles to take photos of our town's lighthouse. Although it was vigorous work, it made my time taking photos worth it. And the whole ride home I was excited to check out how the photos turned out.
Find a shady spot under a tree, preferably with a breeze and read. I can read anything: magazines, books, the Internet. Just put me there with a tall glass of water and I can relax and forget about all of the troubles in the world.
I sometimes make a conscious decision to spend some time right after work doing something restful, like reading a magazine or taking a short nap. Other times I will plan some down time into my errands, to have coffee with a friend during the day or to watch an episode of TV between loads of laundry.
I read a good book while taking a hot bubble bath to relax.
I read books, blogs, and a couple of magazines. I also watch streamed shows from Amazon Prime, since it is cheaper to subscribe to it rather than subscribing to streaming netflix. I also like to do some crafts, such as painting, scrapbooking and beading, drawing plans of houses, playing with my dogs and cats, and talking with my husband, family and frinds.
I love to garden. It is peaceful and I am surrounded by beauty.
Usually drinking a cup of tea in the evening helps me to relax.
Work out or get a massage. Preferably the massage! :)
To relax I'd like to read, walk, craft, bake, use my camera, visit with family & friends. I haven't had enough relaxation time lately, that's for sure!!
I surf the internet! How do you think I found Wisebread?!?! :)
watch tv/movies and/or play games
I relax by taking pictures.
Read a book (from the library), watch a DVD (from the library), or listen to some MP3s (from -heh- the library).
Hot chocolate and a good book at my local coffee shop, or a show from my Hulu queue and a chocolate peanut butter smoothie! :)
I read a good book in the shade of the patio while sipping a nice cup of tea.
My favorite method of relaxing is going on a camping trip and canoeing. When I home I also like to read, drink coffee and spend time outdoors.
Exercising is the way I relax, I now cycle to/from work to avoid the stresses of commuting and look at the scenery along the way.
to relax, I set up a million pillows, lay back and watch Beauty/Fashion videos on YouTube - my guilty pleasure!
Yoga, music or watching rolling waves of an ocean or lake.
I sleep in on my days off and watch k-dramas when I get up! It's my way of relaxing!
I read - a lot! I also really like to watch tv, take naps, cook, and when its nice out, spend time outside.
I strap on a 100 pound weight vest and march 5 kilometers in the Cumberland mountains.
My favorite way to relax is taking a long walk with my husband and dogs. It really helps clear my mind after a long, stressful day. I also relax by listening to music, taking a drive (when gas isn't too expensive!), reading, and watching TV.
During the work day I take an early lunch and generally have the lunchroom to myself, I plug in some ear plugs to my smartphone and play a puzzle game to let go of the frustration. Then when I get home my DH and I exchange the worst part of the day stories while we cook so we can enjoy conversation about completely different and unrelated topics during dinner and the rest of the evening.
I have a couple of things, love to walk outside if the weather is good. Sometimes reading or baking does the trick too.
I take long hikes with my dogs in the woods. Then sit on the deck with them and read books, magazines, whatever.
Depends on what is available and how much time I have, or need to relax, but I may listen to classical music, play basketball, watch TV, read, or meditate.
I take a long walk to relax. THe more stressed I am, the faster I walk.
I read a Harry Potter book before going to bed. It's something purely for me, and it makes for awesome dreams. :)
Me, I like to settle on the couch with the cats and read a book - preferably one from the library.. Coffee/tea/beer is optional, depending on the time of day and/or my mood.
I enjoy reading, so to relax, I like to read something from the library or on my Kindle. I also enjoy Sudoku (and even though it can be tough, I also find it relaxing), so I will do a puzzle or two when I want to relax also. Likewise, going to the gym can be "relaxing" for me as a SAHM, where I cat get some time alone to use the elliptical or stationary bike or treadmill while reading and not having to worry about my toddler while she's in the gym's daycare area. Even doing grocery shopping (or running other errands) can be relaxing. I either leave my daughter at home with my husband or drop her off at the child watch area of my local grocery store and take my time!
I take a walk or listen to music.
Oh to relax and unwind, I love to work on my jigsaw puzzle and listen to music! Always helps me!
Zoning out online or in front of the tv.
Baking a batch of muffins relaxes me! Something about using a foolproof recipe and knowing it'll turn out perfectly puts me at ease....
Read a book in a comfy chair by an open window, with a cold drink or a hot cup of tea. Or listen to music.
I knit and crochet. Yarn is not cheap but I do end up with a nice handmade finished product.
It may sounds weird but the thing that help me relax is working on my website.