When work becomes stressful, you still have 10 things on your To Do list that have to get done this week and you feel frazzled, how do you relax?
I know some common ones are go for a walk, drink tea, take a shower/bath or take a nap (or is that just me?) but here are some other quick ways for me to take a mental break:
STOP AND STARE AT A WALL
Surprisingly helpful. I sit down somewhere (or lie down), and stare at the wall or the ceiling.
I let my mind drift to whatever it feels like thinking.
If I think of more things to do, I write down EVERYTHING I am thinking or feeling to remove it from my mind.
LISTEN TO MUSIC
Sometimes closing your eyes and listening to a little Beatles – Blackbird can make your day.
GO THROUGH OLD PHOTOS
Digital ones that is. Going through old photos of my trips gives my brain a mental vacation.
SMELL LAVENDAR
There’s something about the smell of lavendar that calms me. That, vanilla and other home-y scents can be surprisingly effective aromatherapy.
CALL A FRIEND
I find someone I haven’t talked to in a while and ring their number. We chat as long as it takes for us both to connect, and when I’m off the phone, I feel extremely refreshed after hearing their voice and getting the warm and fuzzies.
DO YOGA
Yoga is just stretching to me. When I do yoga, it relaxes me because I am doing something, but forced to stay in one place and concentrate on the action.
WATCH RERUNS
I throw on my favourite series and watch reruns (no joke!). Favourites include Seinfeld, Monk, Castle and Law and Order: Criminal Intent.
FOLD LAUNDRY
Folding laundry is a mindless task. You know what you need to do and it keeps your hands busy but it doesn’t occupy your mind.
ORGANIZE MY CLOSET
Just rifling through my stuff relaxes me. Something about organizing in general, calms me down. I like arranging things by type and colour, no matter what it is.
COOK
Sometimes making a meal can be a great way to get your mind off whatever you are doing.
