Finding ways to relax isn’t hard, finding the time to do them is trickier. I would love to sit and read a book with a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. Unfortunately, any combination of two of the above either entices my kids to call ‘Mom’ at least three times per sentence or I fall asleep. Some days the only times I can stay awake while I am reading are when I am trying to read myself to sleep. Go figure.
I find the best ways to unwind are some kind of physical activity. After sitting at my desk and working on my computer or bending over my sewing machine, my body is in knots. My neck and shoulder muscles tighten up and ache.
Stretching and yoga help to keep my muscles loose. WS Gager has convinced me to go to a 5:30 am yoga class twice a week. (This probably doesn’t help with staying awake.) But it has done wonders for the tightness in my hips that comes from sitting on my bum at the computer. The other thing it has helped with is my running.
You probably know I run a lot. It’s one of my biggest stress relievers. Being able to tune into a favorite show on my iPad and run a few miles on the treadmill is my version of Netflix and chill. Some days headaches and tension melt away with the sweat. Some days the tension gets tighter and I have to fight for every step. When that happens, I have to hit the yoga mat again and stretch things out.
Do you find physical activity a stress reliever?
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Four Foxes, One Hound 
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Yoga helped me a lot, as did walking, and my treadmill. Unfortunately, I have not been able to utilize those for most of the year I wish I could.
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I used to exercise when stressed. I think I need to get back to doing that.
Relaxing with a book and hot chocolate sounds ideal.
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When the weather’s good, I love to walk outdoors. I always feel better after I’ve put in a few miles. When it rains or is cold, I use an exercise video, but I try to do that in the morning before I’m too tired to make the effort. I don’t think I use it as a stress reliever, but I tend to sleep better if I get exercise.
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I’ve known lots of runners and they — like you — claim it relaxes them. Quite frankly, I think that’s nuts. If I’d just run 5 k — or whatever — I wouldn’t be very relaxed. It’s difficult to relax when the medics are performing CPR on you.
All kidding aside, I think the thrice weekly exercise I do probably “relaxes” me a bit, though I don’t think of it in terms of relaxation. I exercise because my rheumatologist said I HAD to or I’d continue to get worse and worse — with my fibro and osteo. Certainly couldn’t afford to get worse because at that point I was barely moving at all. But that’s a story for another time.
As far as relaxation — well, I’ve got a couple hours left to pull something out of the hat for Hound Day.
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I get comments about how boring it is quite often, but I think that’s why it’s relaxing. I don’t have to think about what I’m doing and, on the treadmill, about where I’m going.
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yeah, I can see where being able to disengage one’s brain would be relaxing
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