So it is obvious that I don't know how to relax.... About This Page:

[Starbright]

I went to the drs about my eye twitching. No reasons that he can see other than I don't know how to relax and I might be sleep deprived (I will give him that one LOL). I honestly thought I knew how to relax, but it is becoming apparent that I don't Today, none of the 3 jobs called me in. So I have time to myself without the kids (to relax) but what I have done..laundry, hand washed the floor, walked to town, swept the floor a few times, made some brownies etc and NOT relaxed at all.
Seriously, I am in trouble. I don't know how to relax. No hobbies except walking (skiing will come in 1.5 mths). I don't smoke any type of stuff, I don't drink much, I try not to eat much, not much into coffee-I have no vices. I am going nuts sitting still. I have to keep moving. Oh, and then I can't sleep at night because I haven't relaxed during the day. I am hooped Any suggestions?

[HiddenMickey]

Comfy chair, comfy clothes, quiet room, good book. Sit down with a timer set and don't get up for an hour. Choose a spot in the house that doesn't hve any pending cleaning in it. And don't think about anything but that book.

If you can arrange it, learn Yoga. Get a DVD instructional video from the library.

Good luck!

[Danidurph]

Go get a pedicure. Read a book. I love going to the book store and walking around. Do a word puzzle or soduko. Read all the post here! Breathe and relax

[Tigger71]

Scrapbook, plan a vacation, bubble bath or read in bed?

[chezp]

Different things work for different people. I don't relax very often either, as I always like to be doing things, but I find doing things relaxes me. Weird, huh?

I agree with a hot bath - maybe see if you can get a massage or a facial anywhere around you for a reasonable price? I always find that really relaxing.

[Her Dotness]

Wanta mesh with me? I have never had any difficulty losing myself in a good movie or book to the point that my housework philosophy often is "Oh, well, it'll still be there tomorrow."

Have you ever tried walking mindfulness? That involves more of a stroll than the powerwalking a Type A like you probably does. You force yourself to walk slowly, focusing upon really sensing what's around you as you go, not thinking about all those things you need to get done today.

You might look into restorative yoga which involves using folded blankets, towels, or padded bolsters to support your body so that your muscles CAN relax easily. It's amazing and leaves me feeling as if I'm floating on air when I get the supports correctly positioned. Judith Lasater's book Relax and Renew explains how to do her modification of Iyengar yoga. If you live where there's a center or teacher of Iyengar yoga, that would be best as such can tell by looking at your body as you lie in the positions how your supports may need to be readjusted to enable you to relax. It is timeconsuming, however, what with the need to fold and position supports. There are timesaver positions, though.

[hyprmut]

Aren't eye twitches grand?

Kick everybody out of the house for several hours. Pick a task, a single task, that can be done during that time. (That means ONE, not one and...) Turn up some music. Sing. Dance. Putter at that task until done. Sit down and play logic computer games until everybody comes home.

For me, that task is usually preparing a crock pot meal and prepping my lunches for the week. My music of choice is an eclectic mix on Pandora that includes Queen, GnR & Alabama.

Not a typical "relax" but it works for me. I've also been known to pop a half-dose of an OTC sleep aid to insure I get at least one 8hour day of sleep. That helps with the sleep deprivation.

Good luck.

[Huntermom]

I find it easy to relax post exercise-even just going for a walk.

[Starbright]

Thanks everyone!!!
Um, I can't remember the last time I slept 8 hrs. I try to aim for 6-7 hrs. DD was up at 5:30 this morning so there goes my sleep once again

I do enjoy walking up the hills but I don't like doing it with the kids. I do like baking, but then I eat it, and that is a wrong vice LOL.

I have been very conscious lately about trying to relax and breath. I got one of those prickly balls so I can roll it around. I meant to get some lavender incense, but I forgot today. Maybe it is time to start with the vitamin D's and take those too.

A vacation would be nice though. I went across the border to the USA to do abit of shopping for relaxing and the border crossing guard on Cdn side on my way back in, gave me a bad time because he couldn't understand why I would just want to go and look around and not buy things. I was so upset. Soo much for retail therapy

[Ashli]

I agree with the yoga suggestion. It's great because it keeps your mind occupied (by forcing you to concentrate on doing the poses correctly), but also forces your body to relax through the stretches. There is a very good yoga dvd in the Turbo Fire line called Stretch 40. None of the movements require ridiculous balance or anything, and it is so relaxing that I feel like I could fall asleep immediately during the very end meditation when you are just laying on your back.