Tough Day - what do you do to relax?

[septbride2002]

I was just remarking in my journal how after a long tough day like today I would typically order pizza, eat ice cream, and sit on my butt.

But tonight I came home, made tuna salad and popped in a movie. I'm still sitting on my butt - but I wasn't binge eating and I think that is really important. I'm going to start a list of things I've been doing more instead of eating:

1. Taking Bubble Baths - best way to destress
2. Reading - I've been reading everything in sight lately - keeps me from munching
3. Watching old movies - Movies I haven't watched in years!
4. Talking to friends on the phone
5. Cleaning - no seriously - I pick up and clean constantly not just on the weekends anymore - really strange.
6. Scrapbooking - I use to do this realy seriously but have been slacking lately. Mostly because I need to shop for some Disney Themed items. But it is still a great way to keep the hands and mind busy.

What have you been doing?

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

I tend to DIS a lot.....LOL!

Over the winter I love to crochet - keeps my hands busy and my mind off food.

Reading....so many good books out there!

Walking with my puppy and/or family members.

Praying.... takes the focus off me and my stress because I spend time praying for other people and being thankful for my many blessings.

 

[bubie2.5]

Sitting and just talking with my SO usually works for me.

 

[marsh0013]

that's a good one...now that i think about it, hmm, what do i really do? the first thing that comes to mind is eating...but i'm really trying to not do that anymore.

crazy as it sounds, getting out for a nice run usually helps to de-stress me. also, snuggling up on the couch with a nice warm cup of herbal tea and watching my favorite tv shows. i've never really been one to take baths, but a nice bubble bath sounds wonderful

good topic amanda, you've given me something to think about

 

[ZerasPride]

Amanda, what a great thread!

I do some of the things you mentioned. There was a time when, after a stressful day or as a way to celebrate I would overinduldge with a fast food meal. I was just commenting on my journal that a typical binge meal would have consisted of a box of 20 piece mcnuggets, double cheeseburger, large fries, soda and a cheese danish with milk for dessert. I actually thought that was normal. I remember the first time I was embarassed by ordering that amount of food at lunchtime and the cashier actually asked me was all that food for just me. I felt horrible but it didn't stop me from ordering it. I just went to a different cashier each time so they wouldn't comment on my indiscretion.

Now, however, I end each evening with a relaxing bubble bath and ice cold bottle of spring water while I catch up on some reading.

I also talk on the phone, I've got 11 brothers and sisters so there's always somebody with a daily crisis.

Of course I DIS and visit my other diet site (lowcarbfriends.com). I also plan future DVC trips - that's fun.

My newest distraction from binge eating is trying on clothes in my closet. Nothing kills the binge monster for me like trying on a size 20 jeans and finding out they are baggy. Now that's a great feeling.

 

[perfectmatch300]

Since I'm really stressed right now about getting ready to move this is a great thread for me. I've seen some great ideas mentioned here already!
My most effective stress reliever is exercise, so these days I'm doing a lot of it! Florida, here we come!

 

[nativetxn]

I call a friend to destress. It always helps me a lot

 

[Strings]

I usually come to WISH when I'm stressed. I also have made a few extra trips to Curves recently. If I just need to unwind, I like a book and a cup of tea or a sf vanilla steamer.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

The FIRST thing I long for during stress is my "Happy Place" along our Towpath in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park or our Greater Cleveland Metro Park System. I love to walk along the Towpath or if I can't walk, I love to drive through the system or ride my bicycle. I find beauty there and a great way to reconnect. I can meditate, pray, or just enjoy the beauty of nature.

Of course I am a comfort/junk food eater but am trying to be “reformed.”

Something new for me is that I also find that if I pop in my Pilates 20 min cd or one of my other exercise videos or TM I can have a moment for myself.

I love to sit with my dogs and just feel their fur. (They seem to know when I need them more and are oh so accommodating.)

I distress when I am with DH just knowing he is there even if we aren’t doing anything.

I will read a book or magazine, sewing (repairs mostly), iron—if I must, watch tv or a dvd, clean, talk with family or friends, DIS, try to learn something new on the computer or other “gadget” I may want to perfect. I love to “people watch” and retail therapy is great even if I don’t buy.

Mostly I can distress by doing things I choose and am in control of rather than doing things that I must do because of life’s requirements.

 

[lpcannon]

I have taken up knitting, it is a good destressor (well, it wasn't at first, but it is now that I've gotten the hang of it) AND it distracts me enough to keep me from snacking