How do you relax?

[KAMKIM]

These threads are filled with questions about kids, work, school, moving, finances etc. We all obviously lead very busy lives. So what do you do to relax? Do you relax? How often?

I like when I have the house to myself (very rare) or atleast when DH is maybe watching a football game at a friends house, the kids are in bed. I light my candles, make a glass of kaluha and milk, turn off the lights, snuggle up with my cat and watch TV.

What do you do?

 

[jenm2878]

I run, almost daily. It sounds crazy at first, but so much effort is being put forth to maintain a constant pace for x number of miles, that the rest of the day leaves my mind. It's a great way to get rid of headaches and tense shoulders too. My DH thought I was insane, but now he's running with the dog every day and agrees!

(I'm also a fan of curling up on the couch to catch some tv with my cat)

 

[ChrizJen]

Your answer is a lot like mine, OP

I, too enjoy an empty house...(again, almost never happens. I have a 2 yr old...LOL)
But when it does happen, I'm content lounging on the sofa with a pint of Ben & Jerry's and some good old fashioned mindless TV.

 

[Pakey]

My favorite form of relaxation is a bubble bath, candlelight and nice music.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Aaahhh I'm getting one of these days tomorrow All alone for the day while DH is working and DD's are at school. The morning I'm going to light my Yankee Candles fall scents and get in the kitchen and bake some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (makes the house smell sooooo good) then I will relax for a little on the couch. I'm not good and just sitting around. To me, having a clean house, candles glowing and something baking is all I need to revive me

Then at 3 o'clock it all changes, DD gets home and I need to make a double batch of baked macaroni and cheese for the pot luck dinner at school from 6-8

Back to reality I go!

 

[NY Disney fan]

The best way for me to relax is to do a 10-12 minute cardio warm up followed by a 15 min. stetch. I need to stretch because I sit all day long. After a good stretching session my body just sinks into the mattress and I fall asleep better.

 

[KAMKIM]

Aaahhh I'm getting one of these days tomorrow All alone for the day while DH is working and DD's are at school. The morning I'm going to light my Yankee Candles fall scents and get in the kitchen and bake some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (makes the house smell sooooo good) then I will relax for a little on the couch. I'm not good and just sitting around. To me, having a clean house, candles glowing and something baking is all I need to revive me

Then at 3 o'clock it all changes, DD gets home and I need to make a double batch of baked macaroni and cheese for the pot luck dinner at school from 6-8

Back to reality I go!

I thought I was the only one that can only be content if her house is clean and candles are lit...glad to see Im not alone - the thought of someone's bed being unmade or a toy out of place stops me from being able to relax

Friday is our company picnic so I get a half day and this year both girls are in school full days DH will be at work

 

[mickeyboat]

I like to exercise and watch tv or sit on the porch with a glass of wine. Call me crazy but cleaning helps me relax. I can't relax when the house is a mess, and I tend to clean when I am stressed.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I play games on the computer or I snuggle up with the dogs and watch TV.

 

[darlak]

When I get the chance to be home alone, I like to curl up with a good book and enjoy the silence, which is rare at my house even with only 1 child left at home (DD15).

Otherwise, I play poker twice a week (sometimes more). With DD out of the house more these days, I'm finding all sorts of new ways to have fun myself.

 

[MIGrandma]

My kids are grown and out of the house, so I do have days to myself often and I treasure them. I love turning off the TV and just soaking up the peace and quiet, or maybe have a soothing instrumental CD playing.

I enjoy curling up on the couch with a cup of coffee, a warm quilt and a good book. Or watching a good movie. Or take a nap for an hour...or two. Or get outside and go for a walk. Or chat on the computer. Or play computer games. Or bake something. Or look at vacation photo albums.

 

[Rora]

I like to change into my PJs, lay in bed, and watch some TV!

 

[NMAmy]

I read a lot. I find it very relaxing. I'm not one who can really just sit and watch tv--I have to be doing something at the same time. I like to embroider/cross stitch, knit, crochet, or put together scrapbook pages while "watching" television. I find all these activities very soothing--it's repetitious and doesn't require a great deal of concentration.

DD is at college so it's just DH and I at home most of the time. I have a lot more time to do relaxing things now.

 

[NHdisneylover]

When relaxing on my own:
a warm bath
playing on the DIS
reading

With DH:
having a snack and some wine or amerreto on the back porch after the kids are in bed
walking around town on a warm evening

 

[joyjoy]

Drugs and alcohol.

Just kidding. I love t.v., naps and more t.v.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Oh, I can totally relax when the house is a mess. Just turn out the light!



To relax, I do the following at various times at various degrees:

Get a massage
Eat Ice Cream
Go away for the weekend with Husband
Plan a trip
Sit on the couch and watch DVR'd Price is Right
Read a book
Go to the zoo and read a book (we're members of our zoo)

 

[AshleyW]

Ahh, I wish I had more time to relax. But when I do, it usually goes something like this:

Hot bubble bath
Paint my toenails
Get a bowl of ice cream or popcorn
Snuggle up on the couch in the dark with a blanket
Watch "Dexter", "The Tudors" or "Sex and the City"
Fall asleep

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I go to DSW, spend a few hours in blissful retail oblivion, come out happy and with a completely inappropriate pair of shoes.

Also, Johnny Walker Black on the rocks puts me in a similar happy place for a few hours

Dance class until my feet won't bend anymore are also good.

 

[MerMom60_94]

I am not going to list exercise or running even though I enjoy them and they relax me because those are something I feel I "have to" do to stay healthy and keep my weight off. Sometimes I am stressed because of them, since I am sometimes really busy and trying to just fit those in.

When I really get to relax and I have done all I have to do, my favorite ways to relax are:

Baking

Hanging by the pool in the nice weather

Renting dvd's and having a movie night. (I used to rent 3 movies per weekend before I had my daughter. Now I go months without watching a movie so it is a real treat when I get to)

Playing cards or games. I will drop anything I am doing if somebody offers to play Canasta with me.

 

[KAMKIM]

I am not going to list exercise or running even though I enjoy them and they relax me because those are something I feel I "have to" do to stay healthy and keep my weight off. Sometimes I am stressed because of them, since I am sometimes really busy and trying to just fit those in.

When I really get to relax and I have done all I have to do, my favorite ways to relax are:

Baking

Hanging by the pool in the nice weather

Renting dvd's and having a movie night. (I used to rent 3 movies per weekend before I had my daughter. Now I go months without watching a movie so it is a real treat when I get to)

Playing cards or games. I will drop anything I am doing if somebody offers to play Canasta with me.

My favorite card game is skipbo....but no one wants to play with me, maybe because I always win