Relax...dont do it?

[carter]

Works for me

Exercise, bathe/shower, comfy clothes, light meal with water, candlelight, a glass of wine, ambient music by Brian Eno.

 

[Foofoogal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ItNxpwChE

 

[randooch]

When you follow LizzieMaine's advice and hit the library, check out a dvd on Qi Gung. It's super easy, but requires paying attention to your breathing, which is a sure cure for stress.

 

[get_atomized]

Exercise, bathe/shower, comfy clothes, light meal with water, candlelight, a glass of wine, ambient music by Brian Eno.

Brian Eno is all you really need!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Exercise, bathe/shower, comfy clothes, light meal with water, candlelight, a glass of wine, ambient music by Brian Eno.

I have settled for Bath, comfy clothes...and relaxing on the new (I may have difficulty ever getting up again) old comfy sofa I got yesterday.

I may need to stand up to get tea at some point....alas..the staff has been given the night off.

 

[MikeBravo]

Glad I found this thread

Bump - diddy - bump - bump

Someone posted in another thread about having a meditation space in their house. My interest was also triggered by a meditation class offered at work and my own need to relax, destress and focus more.

Does anybody have a separate part of the house or property set aside for meditation? Started thinking about how I could set up a space at home

 

[Miss sofia]

Go to the library. Seriously. It's calm, it's tranquil, there's always something good to read, you don't have to stare into some flickering monitor screen to enjoy it, and best of all -- it's free. Always one of my favorite spots to escape from work-related-stress.

Does it for me every time after a chaotic day at work, and it's on my way home so i often pop into our library for a bit or R and R before i have to face the chaos at home. I find going to sit in my local church/priory, quite calming too and often do that after work as well, it's always empty before evening mass with the soothing music of monks singing always playing in the background. Lovely.

Other than that a hot bath with a good book and a glass of wine usually does the job!

 

[Mugwump]

My trick to relax - vodka, lots and lots of vodka!

I just walk - it's the only time that I can get my mind to go totally blank and not "madly off in all directions". I also allow myself some time to rant after work, but only for an alloted time period - after that, no more! It's my time, so why waste it on something I have no control over, and won't matter in 1oo years time anyways. [huh] Thank goodness my parents are patient with me and don't mind listening to occasional language that would make a sailor blush lol

 

[PADDY]

Perhaps...

You have to look at your work-life situation/balance [huh]

It may be, that you are not really suitable (in temperament/character/personality/ability )for the work that you do, or the work you do is not suitable for you (?). Only 'you' can answer that one - really.

Also, try to step back from your home life (hard to do, I know!) and see what outside activities you can get involved in, especially something physical to burn off all that nervous angst and energy and frustration you may have stored up inside. Could be something as simple as dance classes, where afterwards you get to socialise with others over a drink and have a laugh over the road traffic accident you left on the dance floor! Or Yoga/Pilates..etc - whatever!

GOOD LUCK

 

[Cricket]

The things I have found most relaxing:

1. soaking in a hot bath with an Archie comic; not sure why it takes a comic book but I think it has something to do with childhood memories

2. wearing a soft robe and watching a classic movie in my living room with only a faint hint of light

3. sitting on our front porch with a view of our pond and good conversation

4. sipping a cup of lavendar tea while writing letters in bed

5. hitting a few golf clubs on our cow pasture (i know, what kind of person uses a cow pasture has a driving range) with my husband and two year old joining in

6. a glass of red wine (this will have to wait for about nine months. we are expecting so it may be changed to can of ginger ale )

7. and finally, taking a Sunday (well, anyday really) drive with the family. this works very well in the fall season to do a little foilage watching

 

[Undertow]

:bump2:

Bumpity bump.

 

[St. Louis]

Glad this thread was bumped. Great suggestions here, just in time for the new term to begin. Knitting always calms me down; must be the repetitive motion, and also the fact that no one ever criticizes my knitting. Pretty much everything else I do is subject to critiques, but not my knitting.

Cleaning up a cluttered drawer or bookshelf also soothes jangled nerves.

 

[Yeps]

Lifting heavy weights. Nothing like a good sweat to calm the nerves. Unfortunately, I have yet to get a gym here in Philly.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

You have to look at your work-life situation/balance [huh]

It may be, that you are not really suitable (in temperament/character/personality/ability )for the work that you do, or the work you do is not suitable for you (?). Only 'you' can answer that one - really. Also, try to step back from your home life (hard to do, I know!) and see what outside activities you can get involved in, especially something physical to burn off all that nervous angst and energy and frustration you may have stored up inside. GOOD LUCK

Good evening folks. Paddy has written some good advise IMO.:eusa_clap

I would like to share my story of finding a better life balance.

I got the fortunate opportunity to take an early retirement. My fortune 50 company arranged for me and my wife to meet with a retirement counselor. She was a psychologist who specialized in senior management making the transition to retirement. After meeting with my wife, then me and finally us together, my wife and the counselor announced that I needed a hobby. Something outside business and athletics. They suggested learning to play an instrument. I had never played an instrument in my life and indeed rarely listened to music other than to be distracted whilst driving. The company put money down at a local guitar boutique for an instrument and lessons for me. Best prescription or gift ever!

Since day 1 learning all about playing an instrument has been a total joy. Taking theory classes at the University, guitar workshops, playing/singing lessons-in general learning to play fingerstyle blues/jazz/show tunes form the 1920-40's has been a true joy. Relaxing and captivating, as when I open a guitar case I am totally absorbed in learning or playing or even performing. The friends I have made during my foray into music have been warming and genuine.

To know one-self as a learning adult is an excellent quality. As an older adult I practice thoroughly and completely. It is the whole of the music that I am enjoying. The history, context, the original music, the interpretations, and the modern performances that stimulate me to stay passionate thru today. I better know myself, my limits and better aware of my anal retentive driven self as a result of the gift of music. I admit that I use my wife, friends and guitar instructors as folks to warn me when I may be getting astray from the better-worn path of life.

Playing the guitar has made the rest of my life better. You could just ask my wife!

I could not imagine that an exact prescription as given to me would work for all Fedora Forum folks. The example can be made that finding a passionate outlet that stimulates you to stay a learning adult would be a healthy way to relax.

Best wishes folks, Eric -


Post addition: Admitedly I am not a good retired person. I would like to own up the facts; I have started a couple other businesses, do consulting and coach womens gymnastics as sunset occupations. I have found better balance - just have found that retirement does not work for me - yet!

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I walk to relax from pressure at work. As far as Hobbies my wife says I have way to many. When I do retire I have tons of things to keep me busy.

 

[splintercellsz]

To relax for me, is to just do something that brings enjoyment.

I play the guitar, sing, beatbox, collect old currency, work on vehicles, go for a walk/jog/run, etc.

Just something to escape the hardships of a day.

 

[PistolPete1969]

For sheer relaxation, I go to the shooting range. There is nothing (and I mean NOTHING) that beats "ballisitic therapy". I am not a target shooter per se, but blasting at clay pigeons, pop cans, old fax machines, etc is an incredibly effective way to unwind, at least for me....

 

[O2BSwank]

My advice is to set aside a little "my time" every day, if possible. Put a limit, maybe an hour, Make
this guilt free. read, listen, to music, garden work on hobby projects. then get back to work.

 

[Kishtu]

I embroider madly on every flat surface I can find.
If I haven't got a small piece of handwork on the go, I can't relax. Something small and fiddly that I need to concentrate on to the exclusion of all else.

Completely the opposite, in fact, of not sweating the small stuff....