What's your favourite way to de-stress?

Jaxjacky

A really good, eye watering laugh, with MrJ, friends or my children, you can’t predict it or choose it, but when it happens, it’s magical.

Oh yes. Laughter, real take-your-breath-away laughter shared with anyone - it's the most wonderful release.

Depends on the time of year. In cold weather for me it's lamplight and firelight, just drifting off looking into the flames. In warm weather it's sitting outside with moonlight and stars and breathing in the perfume of the garden. It's a walk at any time of year, maybe just the rhythm of walking but it's very calming. Add the lovely sound of birdsong, buzzards mewing, a distant curlew or hoopoe; church bells and the rattle of the waves on the pebbles and whatever the problem or stress, it fades away. Being outside is everything to me - I shall need to be very old before I can do without the surety and and comfort of nature in a garden.

Walking is always good, but meditation always grounds me.

Reading a book with the two cats sitting with me.Possibly a box of chocolates too!

Reading...sleeping...more reading...more sleeping! Mozart.

Reading usually does the trick for me, although if I'm particularly stressed I do find that a walk along a beach or just sitting listening to the waves really helps.

Oldnproud

'Letting' DH go off on his own for a weekend. I can't think of anything I find more relaxing than that. Bliss!

Bliss indeed!

A really good, eye watering laugh, with MrJ, friends or my children, you can’t predict it or choose it, but when it happens, it’s magical.

'Letting' DH go off on his own for a weekend. I can't think of anything I find more relaxing than that. Bliss!

Listening to opera, preferably anything by Puccini, with a large glass of chilled white wine. Bliss. Heading off to open a bottle now.

Reading a good book then falling fast asleep...Always feel better in the morning after doing that...

I like reading poetry which I find calming. Also knitting or sewing, if the project is not too difficult.

drinking and walking
a dangerous combination

A soak in the bath with a good book.

Sitting in the sun in my garden, again with a good book.

Light gardening, sewing seeds, potting up, pruning, deadheading, tidying up in general. Pottering.

Reading a really good book, with a cup of tea and a shortbread biscuit/chocolate.

Playing music on YouTube, all the old pop hits and bits of classical music. Often brings tears but that's ok...

Walking anywhere green, leafy, away from traffic or on the beach.

Watching a good programme on the TV, often with nibbles.

Generally being totally engrossed with the activity, getting lost in it. And remembering good times.

My allotment is my ‘go to’ place. We have a large shed for me to lurk in when it’s cool and a patio for sitting in the sun. I like to wander among the plants and marvel at the new growth, get excited at the first fruits and enjoy watering and harvesting. (The Wonderful Man does all the heavy work. ?) Yesterday a flock of Goldfinch were taking turns on the nigella seeds in the bird feeder, joined by a chatty robin at the peanuts. Behind me I could hear the sound of the river and the surrounding trees were alive with birdsong. It’s a wonderful place and is my haven of peace.

That all sounds very interesting Philippa111.

What does your meditation involve?
Do you just clasp your hands?
We used to do free movement at Circle Dance.

A long bath.

I either meditate for up to an hour or put on my favourite music and dance around my living room giving free expression and letting my body unwind with specific movements, stretches etc. It's a bit like dancing therapy really. I've done it for over 30 years. I always feel uplifted after that.

My ex taught me something his grandmother taught him and that is to sit and shake your hands quite strongly for about 5 minutes... it works!

I also go for a walk along the shore nearby.

At the moment it's reading but it can be listening to music, playing the piano [lack of practise though!] and meeting a friend.

My favourites are;
Having a nice cup of tea or coffee
With a crossword on the go
Listening to LBC radio, especially Steve Allen or Nick Abbott. I find both very amusing.

Bed clothes and a glass of red wine,after locking the front door.
No visitors after 6pm.

Sounds contrary, but yesterday I attended a singing workshop which was quite demanding, intellectually, musically to some extent physically, and needing concentration, but so enjoyable, so much fun and satisfying in what was achieved. Afterwards, a huge smile in my face. Not sure if you can call that de-stressing, but very enjoyable.

Shower, hairwash, comfies on - come downstairs for hot chocolate and carry on crocheting whatever I'm making at the time - at the moment it's a blanket but there's also a bathroom mat on the go, and a wire bowl is bubbling in the back of my mind.

I do miss my red wine. Since head injury in January not a drop.
Several ways. I need a lot of alone time.
A walk in nature.
Watching Tipping Point .
Listening to relaxing music (Hildegard Von Bingen is a favourite)
A bath with The Seekers farewell concert.
A light book on Kindle.
Listening to favourite hymns.
Foot massage.

I have an affinity with water. Being near streams, lochs or the sea brings me peace and joy.