Awal

I thought it would be nice to list all the things we do to relax and focus on ourselves. I will kick it off with:
Walking my dog in the beauty of Sherwood Forest
Knitting (completed my 5th dog coat for dogs of the homeless)
Curling up under a snuggly throw and watching a good film
Listening to guided meditations
Xx

Mango212

This one is weird: I started working on my tax return, and it's relaxing for me today.

I went for a beautiful drive.

Cut red willow branches for a tbd project. Walking through snow and being in nature is soothing and relaxes me.

Yoga

Cooking

Thanks Awal!

Eauchiche

I built a new greenhouse 9 months ago and filled it with my Orchids and Bromeliads. I have an Adirondack chair out there. It is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world.

Mango212

Getting a massage!

FireSprite

I meditate every day as well as doing some sort of physical activity - either walking, yoga or doing a lot of physical work out in my yard.

I spend almost every Saturday evening out having some kind of fun - with friends mostly, but my husband has been joining in a lot the last couple of months as well - music, dancing, dinner, the beach.

I write in my positive word journal every day. I do bunches of DIY home-spa stuff throughout the week - facials, nails, pedicures, etc.

Junk TV - I am currently rewatching all the seasons of LetterKenny on hulu - it's basic & borderline vulgar but witty & makes me LOL.

One of my fave ways to decompress is garage sale/goodwill/thrift shopping - it completely shifts my mind off whatever I'm thinking about because it's like a giant scavenger hunt.

I've been listening to a bunch of new podcasts that aren't recovery related in any way.

At least once per week we take a motorcycle ride just to clear my head.... "We" because as I don't drive, I just ride.... but I love it.

I spend the first part of every Sunday morning (no matter how late my Saturday nights go) just sitting in silence on my back deck watching the birds & squirrels go crazy feeding across the back part of our property in the quiet & dampness of the morning.

I love planning getaways so I'm already thinking about my next girls' weekend at the beach with my friends & how/when we're going to schedule it.... as well as searching out ideas for how to best use my time while DD is gone for nearly a month next summer.

Bernadette

Cooking, especially super healthy but highly spiced and flavorful food.
Baking, especially cakey or cookie chocolatey super unhealthy treats!
Walking and looking at trees and their branches against the sky.
Tai Chi.
Reading.
Knitting.
Used to be running but I can't these days due to health issues, c'est la vie!
Spacing out staring out the window at clouds is a favorite relaxing pastime too....
Peace,
B

Surfbee

I enjoy cooking too.
Listening to inspiring soothing books whilst taking candlelit bath or shower.
Meditating and yoga daily. Sometimes I'll do a late night yoga session with candles around me. So relaxing.
Walks through Kelvingrove Park and Pollok Park in Glasgow. Touching trees. Sometimes hugging them if no one is watching lol !
Naps. Love naps.
Being cosy in bed with a good book or watching a great tv show or film. And my cat snuggled up next to me.
Cat cuddles.
Soothing herbal teas and journaling.
Trips to the beach. Looking at water.
Getting into the water and surfing.
Touching shells and rocks at the beach.
Swimming and sauna sessions.
Hanging out with my mum and sister and getting a laugh.
Being around funny caring happy people.
Dancing to great music.
Learning songs on my guitar.
Moon gazing.
Hot baths during full moons.
Googling pics of space.
Relaxing in the sunshine.
Visiting the library.

It was lovely to write these down and remember all the good stuff. Thanks Awal
Xx

Wamama48

I wish I could knit like some of you ladies. I crochet, but I love the drape of knitted things. I tried teaching myself several times but got so frustrated! The "knit sticks" as I call them, went in the trash.

I like drawing and making notes in my nature journal about medicinal plants, and mushrooms.

Walking in the woods slowly, stopping and looking at anything that catches my eye.

Long baths

Driving and blasting music.

Making herbal salves, oils and tinctures. Then forcing family and friends to be my guinea pigs. 😝

Mango212

Cutting and arranging fresh flowers. Lilacs in early summer, and a variety of yellow, red, white, purple and other colors along with fresh cut greenery through the summer and fall.

Walking barefoot, pausing to watch bees, butterflies, rabbits and birds and choosing stems to cut.

Mango212

Walking in a snowstorm this evening, plus several laps in two large stores with music playing.

Mango212

Hi Awal,

How are you today?

Pathwaytofree

Brewing and drinking tea
Walking my dog
Watching my dog sleep or play
Listening to music
Meditating silently, with music, or guided
Yoga
Napping with a cozy blanket and warm socks
Reading
Watching videos of animals
Watching a movie

Awal

Hi Mango...lm not too bad thanks, had a busy but productive day at work. Hubby had dinner waiting for me when l got home. Then proceeded to have a go at me about me leaving crumbs on the floor every day lol. Hmmm me thinks he just wanted to vent some anger and as l was the only one there l was the target. Have spent the evening over the road at my friends home...chatting laughing and watching tv. Now snuggled down in bed having a good old catch up on SR.

Mango212

Clarity, relaxation, healthy connections. One day at a time.

Nice way to remove yourself from being a target.

Awal

l have been to a concert tonight (and a meal before it) what a great evening I've had. Live music is fab 😁

Mango212

Hi Awal,

Have there been times lately where you can relax fully at home?

Awal

Yes, l am relaxed most of the time. I especially love bed time, when l snuggle down and maybe watch a film or listen to a meditation or music in dim lighting.

Mango212

"Training the mind to concentrate on things we want, more than things we've got."

I appreciate mindfulness training and exercises in new ways lately. Opening my mind and heart to more than I knew was possible yesterday.



#lifeisgood

Wombaticus

Swimming laps in the sun.
Drinking coffee in a funky little coffee shop.
Watching bees in the garden.

hopeful4

Hmmm....let's see. Reading and relaxing with my animals.

-Church and small group studies, I feel very safe and at ease there. It is my true "home"
-Walking the dogs
-A family member has one of those huge jetted tubs, I always take a nice, long bath there with scented candles and soaps...it's wonderful. One of these days I am going to have a dollar to my name and buy a hot tub!
-I like to decorate. I have changed around some decorations in my house lately and I really like to do that, despite the hammering sound LOL.
-Journal
-Watching shows on Netflix. Sounds bad for the brain, but sometimes my brain needs to slow down and refocus, and that helps me do that.
-Yesterday my teen daughter decided on our car ride home I could ask her any question I wanted. I love hearing her talk about her life and her friends and what is going on . I am pretty involved with the kids at church and find it very fun and relaxing to spend time with them in this way.
-Playing board games. My family are big on board games, I think it's fun and relaxing.