What Do You Do To Relax?

[Justmehere]

Not just to stop anxiety or manage anxiety, but what do you do to relax?

My therapist asked me this question and I was quite dumbfounded. I do a lot of things to manage or reduce my anxiety, even pre-emptively, before my anxiety gets bad. However, I don't do much just to relax, just for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Now I'm working on finding what I find to be relaxing. Tough to do for me to do, but fun to explore and think about.

 

[Seasounds]

A good work out, baths, meditation, acupuncture, walks-where I can only hear nature-albeit a distant freeway that I imagine is a river :).

 

[Deleted member 20280]

I simply use the Top Ten technique all the time now, It works to relieve stress, reduce and anxiety and by mixing them together like for instance:- Watch a DVD with a nice take away and some Soft Fizzy drink followed by a tub of favourite Ice-cream. Can then be adapted so can be enjoyed on your own or with friends or partners if applicable.

oh and :hug:s :)

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Gardening. Walking. Watching Movies.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Yoga, reading, walking, music either playing my guitar or listening to Pandora.

 

[IrisL]

Bath with candles (a lot ), reading book, do something creative- any mini stuff can do - like now I'm trying the glass paint(not looks great, but will get better)...or baking ... hugs useful too and to talk with friends ^.^ who you not feel yourself weird alien
Oh and what chill me out walks at the night when the streets are empty( but only do that if you are certain the area 100% safe)

 

[Candleflames]

I like to knit while listening to music, garden and take care of my pets.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I love to listen to soothing music of the Irish kind and smoke cigarettes. Mind you I am not recommending cigarettes for you at all.

I know that as you listen to your heart you will discover what works for you and what does not. Hugs.

 

[ekane]

I will add : watch youtube videos of puppies, kitten, baby seals, sea otters, and good stand up comedy. Tons standups available on youtube for free.

Also, give yourself a spa night at home. turn on some relaxing music, set the lighting just right, and do whatever it takes to feel special. For me thats perfume, lotion, and not sleeping in my "regular" attire aka yoga pants.

 

[Sally sue]

I find that what relaxes me is things that I can totally wrap my mind around, like art (in many different forms), puzzles, and even paint by number :).

My T told me before that exercise is great but then it's important to focus the mind for 10 minutes or so after...calm the body, calm the mind or calm the mind, calm the body.

Recently, I've been making a quilt mosiac of charle brown for a gift using 1 1/2 inch squares ha...it's a lot like a puzzle :)

 

[Tanishq]

Listen to the music. This is what I do. Sometimes relaxes me or sometimes don't. Sometimes I drop all things I have tried before, just try to let myself go in relaxation. I think it will take sometime to feel relaxation as we all have been through a lot.

 

[IrisL]

I think the main point don't get knot up with it- you can't relax if you want to force yourself to now "I must relax" or for me not works...