How do you guys relax?

[Benner]

Being layed back usually comes naturally to me, but what with my move at work (which is just a mountain of issues on it's own) and with what's going on currently in my life, I am finding it really difficult to sit back, relax and chill out.  Recently I find my mind races with all the problems I have going on and I can't stop thinking about all that I have to do at work the next time I am on shift and the problem I find is that the more I try to shut it all off, the more aggitated I become.

So anyone here have any good techniques that may help me out a bit?  Not expecting miracles, but if there is anything that can stop me constantly fretting it would be appreciated.

[Gadget Guy]

Being layed back usually comes naturally to me, but what with my move at work (which is just a mountain of issues on it's own) and with what's going on currently in my life, I am finding it really difficult to sit back, relax and chill out.  Recently I find my mind races with all the problems I have going on and I can't stop thinking about all that I have to do at work the next time I am on shift and the problem I find is that the more I try to shut it all off, the more aggitated I become.

So anyone here have any good techniques that may help me out a bit?  Not expecting miracles, but if there is anything that can stop me constantly fretting it would be appreciated.

Ben,

When you get off work, write down the things that you need to worry about for the next shift. Put the book away and try to relax. You can always go back to your book any time, but that will free your mind of the work related stuff at least.

I love talking and reading about gear, gadgets, knives, etc... The USN and MTO are awesome for helping me relax, except when the Frog is around that is! 

[cliosguy]

driving.....

[Benner]

I do the book thing and have done for the last 3 years for that very reason.  I find now though that I constantly scan the list planning what I need to do for each task in my head and worrying if I have forgotten to write something down in it.  

[Benner]

driving.....

I have a 40 min drive home and although that does help, I'm still pretty wired when I get in.

[DaveK]

Don't dismiss this immediately, but the answer is alcohol - honest.

I've done fairly high pressure jobs for twenty years now, and at various points have really suffered to the point of not being able to sleep for days, which increases the stress, which keeps you awake etc etc.

It got to the point, in my mid-twenties, that I went to see my doctor, expecting to get some sleeping pills or something, and the advice I was given was, drink Whisky. Obviously, drinking to escape reality is the top of the slippery slope to alcoholism, so they say, but - I was advised to drink no more than a couple of shots, and not every night, and it helps.

But the best bit is, you get to buy 20 year old malts for medicinal purposes

[Benner]

Don't dismiss this immediately, but the answer is alcohol - honest.

I've done fairly high pressure jobs for twenty years now, and at various points have really suffered to the point of not being able to sleep for days, which increases the stress, which keeps you awake etc etc.

It got to the point, in my mid-twenties, that I went to see my doctor, expecting to get some sleeping pills or something, and the advice I was given was, drink Whisky. Obviously, drinking to escape reality is the top of the slippery slope to alcoholism, so they say, but - I was advised to drink no more than a couple of shots, and not every night, and it helps.

But the best bit is, you get to buy 20 year old malts for medicinal purposes

Hmmm, I like that idea. 

[DaveK]

It's worth ruling out at the very least.

I work (since January of this year) for a small consultancy, where I am one of about ten employees. Life is tough out there at the moment, and in such a small company, everything that every one of us does affects how much longer we can expect to be in work. It's a bit tense all round at the moment.

On Friday, we were given until Tuesday morning to prepare a bid for tender for a major (world top 50) company for a service contract that will virtually ensure mine and all of my colleagues employment for the next 12 months. We're bidding against huge consultancies that can provide labour from India and the Philippines at a fraction of the cost we can compete with, so we have to be three or four times better to justify three or four times the cost. Consequently, I'm a little bit tense at the moment 

But thanks to my friend Glen (fiddich) here, life is looking much more straightforward at the moment 

[Pacu]

Netflix. Big Red and a peanut butter sandwich....AC on 65....dark room....1080p tv

[duckman1975]

Go to a quite place, position yourself comfortably, close your eyes and breath.......... In your mind picture yourself in an empty room with a blank screen infront of you......... you are relax...... breath....... slowly fill the blank screen with images that you associate with safety and peace........ do that for 15 mins everyday.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I know this soundds kind of effeminate, but about the only place I can relax (and remember, paranoia is my business!) is sitting in a hot bath with a good book and a glass of wine.  Or two glasses of ine if the book is only passable!

If I leave the tub and go to bed I sleep like a baby for at least 5 hours, which is a lot for me.  If I don't go straight, then the old brain starts working again and it's another sleepless night.

Def

[Benner]

Go to a quite place, position yourself comfortably, close your eyes and breath.......... In your mind picture yourself in an empty room with a blank screen infront of you......... you are relax...... breath....... slowly fill the blank screen with images that you associate with safety and peace........ do that for 15 mins everyday.

Good one.    Now I just need to find a non child filled room.  

[DaveK]

I know this soundds kind of effeminate, but about the only place I can relax (and remember, paranoia is my business!) is sitting in a hot bath with a good book and a glass of wine.  Or two glasses of ine if the book is only passable!

No. That's fine Def, really.









Pfffffffffffftttttttttttt

Only kididng!

[Benner]

I know this soundds kind of effeminate, but about the only place I can relax (and remember, paranoia is my business!) is sitting in a hot bath with a good book and a glass of wine.  Or two glasses of ine if the book is only passable!

If I leave the tub and go to bed I sleep like a baby for at least 5 hours, which is a lot for me.  If I don't go straight, then the old brain starts working again and it's another sleepless night.

Def

Do you slip into something comfortable afterwards as well? 

[Pacu]

is the tub filled with multitools?

[Benner]

All jokes aside, I find the bath relaxing as well, but currently baths are cut short when the wife wants to use the toilet. 

[duckman1975]

Go to a quite place, position yourself comfortably, close your eyes and breath.......... In your mind picture yourself in an empty room with a blank screen infront of you......... you are relax...... breath....... slowly fill the blank screen with images that you associate with safety and peace........ do that for 15 mins everyday.

Good one.    Now I just need to find a non child filled room.  

I know what you mean sometimes I just want to design a self contained tube fits one person to lay on soundproof with its own ventilation system and audio system........ the tube of relaxation!

[rp252]

I find sitting at the seaside listening to the tide extremely relaxing.  Or sitting near a river/stream and listening to the running water.  MTO is strangely relaxing as well.  I also read the bible, but I realise that's not for everyone.

If all else fails, I completely destroy myself in the gym or just doing bodyweight exercises.  I sleep really well after that.  Gotta be careful to avoid injury, but it does work.  Rugby is great for de-stressing (usually at other people's expense) - then have a few pints; you'll sleep like a baby.

Try a long walk in the outdoors, it just might help.

[Swiss Man]

I like the journal idea.  As far as "a couple shots" I don't like that idea.

I say write your thoughts out and put them away until the next day.

If in the middle of the night your mind races and you can't relax write them out also.

Find a good mate share your thoughts.

[DaveK]

Or sitting near a river/stream and listening to the running water..... 

.....Try a long walk in the outdoors, it just might help.

Two cracking ideas that certainly work for me.

[Benner]

I like the journal idea.  As far as "a couple shots" I don't like that idea.

I say write your thoughts out and put them away until the next day.

If in the middle of the night your mind races and you can't relax write them out also.

Find a good mate share your thoughts.

I find the bunch on here are great to share your thoughts with.

[Nutznboltz]

I work out, or ride my bike for a couple of hours that really works to unwind me.
I also have a aquarium with fancy goldfish and I find its great for releiving stress.  I'll just sit down and watch them swim around without a worry in the world and it is really calming I could and have fallen asleep just watching them .

[Pacu]

Watching an aquarium is very relaxing. I've got 300 gallons in the living room and 30 in the kitchen

[cgk]

I have kids so I usually dont relax.  When I do I like to ride the cycle, read MT.org, and look at swiss man's avatar.

[rp252]

I have kids so I usually dont relax.  When I do I like to ride the cycle, read MT.org, and look at swiss man's avatar.

I'd call that the opposite of relaxing... 

[cgk]

I have kids so I usually dont relax.  When I do I like to ride the cycle, read MT.org, and look at swiss man's avatar.

I'd call that the opposite of relaxing... 

Why?  When Im done looking, Im usually tired and ready for a nap...

[rp252]

I have kids so I usually dont relax.  When I do I like to ride the cycle, read MT.org, and look at swiss man's avatar.

I'd call that the opposite of relaxing... 

Why?  When Im done looking, Im usually tired and ready for a nap...

...wait...  I don't get it...   

 

[jim guy]

I relax riding my Triumph on a nice twisty road, the sound of that twin cylinder engine really relaxes me. Also going to the drag races, I love to hear and smell nitro engines running. If that fails I go in my garage and turn the radio on and work on my hemi.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I relax riding my Triumph on a nice twisty road, the sound of that twin cylinder engine really relaxes me. Also going to the drag races, I love to hear and smell nitro engines running. If that fails I go in my garage and turn the radio on and work on my hemi.

I wish I had stress relief like that!

I don't much care for putting my thoughts in writing... I really don't want anyone to know what goes on in my head most of the time.  I just know that would come back to bite me in the arse at some point!  Dr Phil could do a whole season on me and still not get to anything serious!

As for slipping into something more comfortable, do you really want more pictures? 

Def

[prime77]

I run. If that doesn't work I run some more.  I like mowing my lawn also. For some reason I find that relaxing.