What do you do to de-stress?...

[peanut]

A long time ago I suffered mental illness as a result of letting the stress build up. In an effort to prevent that from ever happening again, I made a list of things that nurture me and de-stress me. I try to do one a day. I'll include my list below.

What about you? What do you do to de-stress?

1. pray
2. read the Bible
3. home spa treatment
4. take time to read a nice art book and have a cuppa
5. go to a cafe for tea only
6. go on an art walk to visit local art galleries just to look
7. trade in air miles for a night at the symphony
8. go to amateur live theatre
9. attend university department shows for $5
10. shop for me and buy some nice that's under $5
11. go for a walk by the creek, looking for inspiration
12. read magazines at the library
13. attend art gallery opening nights (free goodies!)
14. go places where I can meet like minded people
15. have a bath by candlelight, with scented water, by candlelight, with music
16. fire in the fireplace, candlelight, glass of wine
17. curl up in bed early with a good book
18. have my hair done at the beauty school
19. visit free museums
20. rent quality artwork
21. make a comfort food and eat it
22. give myself a paraffin wax spa treatment, with mocha and a good magazine
23. watch an art DVD/video from the library
24. buy a secondhand art video/DVD/book
25. listen to Christian music or other calming music
26. afternoon tea ritual
27. breakfast in bed
28. massage, with or without oil (okay, these last two involve DH LOL)
29. buy myself flowers...or pick them from the garden and put them in vases in the house
30. go for a scenic walk
31. give myself a manicure/pedicure
32. take time to watch sunrise &/or sunset
33. watch a funny video/dvd
34. play favourite music and dance by myself
35. sleep out under the stars, even if it's just in the backyard
36. take a "mental Health Day" off work
37. fix a special dinner and eat by candlelight, with mood music
38. call a friend or write them a letter
39. go to a favourite restaurant for coffee, instead of a meal
40. go to the beach/lake/mountains
41. take a scenic drive
42. go window shopping
43. cuddle with DH
44. go see a good movie at the cheap theatres
45. go to the park and feed the birds
46. putter around the house cleaning up
47. work on a puzzle
48. write affirmations, record them or read them daily
49. read an inspirational book
50. surround myself with inspirational quotes
51. bake something special
52. listen to motivational tape
53. keep a diary of accomplishments
54. keep a gratitude journal and record compliments people give you as well.
55. exercise daily
56. visit local historic sites
57. take kids out for tea and dessert
58. go on a picnic
59. spend time sketching and designing
60. write
61. perform an act of kindness

[FrugalMomof3]

Well, I usually smoke alot (I know BAD) but I also write in my blog, I feel that if I write things down I feel more at ease because it's out of my mind atleast for the time being.

I try to keep myself busy, reading, going to FV, talking with friends but it never fails, the stress comes back and once again I cry.

[frugalfriend]

The #1 thing I do too, is pray. I think of Psalm 55:22, "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you;" Makes me feel better immediately.

[Emerald_Mommy]

That's a great list, Peanut!

Some things I do when I need to de-stress:
~ lay down & shut my eyes in a quiet room (if I can)
~ read a book
~ flip through a beautiful magazine
~ read my Bible or inspirational/devotional book
~ Pray
~ Listen to soothing classical or other type music
~ Hold my smiling baby and look in her eyes
~ organize something, even if it's just a drawer
~ take deep, "cleansing" breaths
~ light a scented candle or spray some vanilla air freshener
~ bake cookies (not healthy, I know...)
~ write in a journal
~ write on my blog
~ Read uplifting stories on the internet (other people's blogs)
~ Eat some really good quality chocolate (again, not healthy but...)

[pqb57]

1. read the Bible
2. get out my counted-cross stitch
3. take a walk
4. go for a bike ride
5. watch a movie
6. read a book
7. work on my wooden ship model
8. play my guitar
9. listen to music(any kind except rap)
10. visit the village.

[Its_Donna]

I pray, crochet and watch movies on Lifetime Network.

[YankeeMom]

I knit. A lot.
Sometimes a change of scenery really helps. Getting out of the house, meeting friends for lunch or just coffee.

[nodmicks]

~soak in the tub with a good frivilous book
~walk and look at aLL the horses, baby animals and Amish farms
~read again
~play on the computer
~go watch my goats and ducks~ they always make me laugh
~CUDDLE WITH DH
~HUG THE KIDS~
~PLAY WITH THE PETS

[halloweenfreak]

strangely enough, i clean house. i dont know why, but when im mad or stressed i get obsessive about cleaning.

[claimsgirl66]

Great list!
I also find cleaning (especially the bathrooms) helpful. Maybe it is just the fact when things go awry, I can stand back & look at a clean room & know I can accomplish SOMETHING! Other things:
Hot shower
Do my nails
Pop in a DVD of one of my favorite sitcoms and try to laugh
Try to count my blessings for what is going well (roof over my head, etc...)

[nuisance26]

~Get outside and soak in whatever the current season/weather is.
~I clean obsessively too. It really works to calm me down.
~Chat with someone I haven't spoken to in a while. Focus on someone else's life for bit.
~Read a cheesy paperback romance.
~Draw house floorplans, dreamhouses and renovations.
~Drink herbal tea and eat a piece of Godiva chocolate.
~Pray for the needs of others.
~Put on some great music and dance!

[Edna_E]

Wanted to surface this again.
I do many of the things mentioned, but my primary ones are:
Make and serve a cup of tea to myself in the living room
Pet my cats
Take a scented bath
Read a junk-novel
Scrub the floor

[ktsmama]

I have taken myself off of my depression medication according to the Drs schedule so I have to make sure I destress. If I don't I can tell and I am trying hard not to have to get back on my meds!!

I like to:

1. Read
2. Clean/Organize (It always seems to make me feel good to see something accomplished.
3. Walk - I am trying to lose some weight and this helps in both areas
4. Call my mom or sister and VENT!! LOL (Of course I let them vent when they need to, also.)

[bridge]

I do counted cross stitch. I also like to take a warm shower with essential oils.

[peanut]

Funny, this surfaced right when I needed it again! Thanks for reminding me not to stress out over things. Seems no matter how long the list I come up with, I still need to a kick in the pants to do something on it!