Help a girl out!

[PrincessRhi]

I never thought I'd ever hear the words "heart condition" come out of my doctor's mouth. Ever. OK, maybe not ever, but at least not before I hit 32. But given the super high stress work environment I have spent the last decade in, grad school, tons of family drama, and a move across the country, I think my body put it's hands up and said "That's it! Enough's enough!"

So, while my doctor figures out whether I've got a problem with my ticker, I need to figure out how to de-stress. The only problem? I don't really know how to just sit in one spot and relax. None of my hobbies really are 'relaxing' per se, and if I am 'relaxing' it usually involves blobbing on the couch, watching seasons of some TV show, and chomping down bon bons. Also not healthy.

Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do that aren't stressful but are still healthy? I really feel like a knob for having to ask this question, so feel free to point and laugh

 

[::Snow_White::]

It might not be for you, but I love doing yoga. You can buy some DVD's, I reccomend Rodney Yee AM&PM DVD. They are about 20 minutes long. You can find some that are really easy, that any beginner can do, and it isn't as much of exercising as it is breathing and relaxing.

With that I also bought a Relaxing Nature Music soundtrack. It's nice to lie on the floor, close your eyes, and listen to ocean or rain. Focus on your breathing and it's really great.

Do you read a lot? That could be something you could sit in a comfy chair or lie in bed and do.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Bless your heart (literally), I can somewhat relate. I'm one of those people who doesn't really know how to relax either. Mu husband always gets on to me, especially on vacation because I feel like I need to be up doing something. Unfortunately, the only things that I've found that are halfway relaxing for me are watching TV, which you've already mentioned, or reading a book, which usually puts me to sleep! I really hope you're able to find something that will help!

 

[PrincessRhi]

Thanks guys-- sorry, last week was super busy for me.

I think I'll try yoga, but in all honesty I've always been intimidated by going in not knowing a darn thing about it. And I'm also not really into the spirituality of it, but I'm sure it would be good to help me relax.

My gym also has a pool that I just found, so I may try swimming if I can find a time where it's not so busy.

So all in all, this weekend consisted of three books, shopping for a yoga mat, and receiving a Kitchen-Aid for a birthday present. Cooking was pretty relaxing, but I'm not sure I want to constantly cook tons of cream cheese pound cakes... or do I?

 

[SueInBoston]

I recommend yoga as well...don't be intimidated, find a beginner's class at a Y or a local gym, those usually have more beginners than a dedicated yoga studio. when I started 2 years ago, my hands couldn't even touch my toes.

 

[slp1650]

I found cross stitching helped relax me at night. I could sit and watch tv while I idly worked on my cross stitch. Cross stitch's really aren't hard and have pretty good instructions in the kits. They come with everything you need so it's not like you need to buy a bunch of things to work on one. I just found that they were a nice way to relax and end a day.