How Do You Relax? I am too Uptight

[steakis4closers]

My body has several health conditions that basically means I am too uptight. Body is too tight, wont unwind and the mind too.

What do you do to relax?

One of my favorites right now is drawing on my Ipad and listening to an audiobook. Playing my ukulele or a video game. Sometimes these can grab my whole attention.

 

[harllee]

Have you tried a yoga class? I find that very relaxing.

 

[Flyfish1]

Maybe consider talking to a mental health professional? You can do it online these days. Discreet and usually covered by insurance.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Sleep more and smell the roses. Seriously, get into a physical sport to tire the body (and mind) and it will make you less uptight.

I play golf, and yes it drives me nuts when I am playing a bad round. But after that I am tired both mentally and physically.

 

[CDRE]

Yoga.

 

[GrayHare]

Arts? Anything creative can be relaxing for some.

 

[audreyh1]

Exercise plus yoga. Yoga is exercise, but you need other as well - walking/hiking, bicycle riding, strength training. Plenty of exercise can help you sleep better.

 

[John Galt III]

I do pickleball. It's a good stress reliever for me. Extreme passion is tolerated where I play, lol.

 

[Mr. Tightwad]

I ran 3 miles this morning and then spent 90 minutes pulling weeds. I'm too exhausted to be uptight.

Tracking gadget says 12.5K steps and it's still the afternoon.

 

[Jerry1]

Start with the basics. Eat well, exercise and sleep. However, in the moment, if I just need to relax, breathing is the key. Basically meditation. Clear your mind and breathe. Don’t exaggerate it, but take some nice and deep inhales and let them out slowly.

 

[MarieIG]

Walking, riding stationary bike, pilates, stretching, warm showers and baths, limiting intake of stressful news, telephone calls and seeing friends, working on eating well and getting enough sleep, listening to low stress podcasts in the evening. I do attempt the deep breathing mentioned by @Jerry1 above. Meditation helps some others find prayer helpful.

 

[Phroig]

Stretching in the morning and happy hour in the evening.

 

[gattara]

I use the Headspace app for guided meditations. Also, look up 4-7-8 breath, it helps a lot to calm the body. Walking in nature or other exercise is helpful. I am always amazed at how relaxed I feel after spending time with friends.

 

[gauss]

I like to recall the quote attributed to Mark Twain, I believe.

"I have lived through some awful things in my life ---- some of them actually happened".

-gauss

 

[Keim]

My obnoxiously loud stereo. And walking.

 

[VanWinkle]

Working outside in the yard or garden is my best way to relax. Sore and aching muscles have a way of taking your mind off of other things.

 

[COcheesehead]

Riding my bike.

 

[street]

Nature/outdoors is the miracle drug. Yesterday I spent all afternoon on a journey looking for Native artifacts. The outdoors for me heals everything.

 

[Aerides]

Lift heavy weights. Or really, any physical activity that requires so much energy and focus you can barely count or think of anything else while you are doing it. Long strenuous hikes, a run, etc.

I find the mental relaxation afterwards is on par with the physical benefits.

 

[Fotodog]

I can relate. I went to my doctor and told him I keep having dreams where I’m a tent, and then a teepee, over and over. He said relax, you’re two tents…
I’ll see myself out now.

 

[pacergal]

My relaxation consist of meditation, fresh air and walking, resting in my recliner with pup in my lap, reading a book.
I also love the "calm" app--it offers so much; music, stories, breathing, stretch and other exercises, etc.

 

[pizza4me]

What do you do to relax?

One of my favorites right now is drawing on my Ipad and listening to an audiobook. Playing my ukulele or a video game. Sometimes these can grab my whole attention.

Playing ukulele no ka oi!

 

[Spock]

bourbon.

 

[Dtail]

Competitive Pickleball 5x weekly. Pilates for the fiance.

 

[CalBird]

Lots of physical exercise, outdoor sunlight.