As we all know the weekend is almost among us, and there’s only one thing we need to do and that is unwind! I am aware that it’s just only Thursday, but to many, that may mean the start of prepping for the weekend. Not that I have major plans or anything, but I do like to do a few things that help me get into relaxation mode. So, I thought I’d share with you a few things that I like to do to leave the week’s tension behind me or as Carrie Bradshaw would say in a drive-thru,
I’d like a cheeseburger, large fries and a Cosmopolitan.
Because let’s get real, we all know it’s going to be a long weekend! 😉
GO ON A BIKE RIDE!
Even though I go on bike rides very rarely, the times that I do, I feel so relaxed. Maybe it’s the memories of when I was a kid that places my mind at ease, but I love it! So next time you feel overwhelmed, grab your bike and enjoy the wind in your face. Trust me in no time you will clear your mind & truly feel at peace!
MEDITATE OR STRETCH!
These two are great ways to start your morning. Whether you meditate or simply stretch you will find yourself enjoying the rest of your day a lot more. You can even do these after work or school or hey why not both morning and night! Meditating every day or at least once in a while can help you with chronic pain, anxiety or simply boost your mood/immune system. As for stretching, you are able to stimulate receptors you have in your nervous system which can help decrease the production of stress hormones. The best part is that both of these are free and easy to do, the only thing you need is to find the time to do it! It really is that simple.
TAKE A BATH & ENJOY AN ACTIVITY!
If there’s one thing I don’t do often enough is take baths. Not only do nice hot baths make me feel like I’m at a spa, but they actually help me de-stress. When I was younger I used to draw a bath and then just sit there bored out of my mind. Fortunately, as I grew older I realized that baths are perfect moments to do something for pure enjoyment. My top three favorites bath activities are reading a good book, solving a crossword puzzle or sudoku, and writing down some goals or thoughts in a notebook. Try it!
GET ORGANIZED!
Although this may seem like the last thing you want to do, trying to relax in an unorganized environment is like cooking a nice meal in a dirty kitchen, you just won’t enjoy it! If you really feel like clearing your head and having a positive space to relax, make sure that the space surrounding you allows you to do so. Being surrounded by stuff that is out of place will only create more tension. Imagine this, let’s say you play some zen music, you take a nice long nap, and finally, you’re in a good mood. Next thing you do is turn on the lights and you see the mess that is your room and once again reminded that you have to clean up. That moment of relaxation will go straight to the trash, so GET IT TOGETHER!
TAKE A NICE WALK!
In some ways, I guess you can say that taking a walk is similar to going on a bike ride, but I beg a differ. When I go on walks I’m not really focused on what I’m doing. For me walking around my neighborhood makes me appreciate the small things around me that I don’t reflect upon on a daily basis. Passing by flower beds, the park, kids playing outside reminds me of how beautiful life can be. We live in a fast-paced world, so slowing down and simply looking at the sky can go a long way.
LISTEN TO MUSIC OR A PODCAST!
These last two can kinda go hand in hand, but the way I do these are a bit different when I feel like just enjoying my time alone. The way I use Music to relax is by going into my room, putting on an album that helps me rest and not exactly go to sleep, but just close my eyes and enjoy the sound. Podcasts, on the other hand, are a bit different, because I actually want to give them my full divided attention. The great thing about podcasts is that I can easily sit down with a cup of coffee and listen as I scroll through Tumblr, or clean my room or the dishes as I listen to an episode. I know you can do the same with music, but I enjoy podcasts so much that I forget I’m even doing a chore. lol
Here is my favorites album and podcast to do these two activities.
I have to say that I’ve been obsessed with Anna Faris ever since the scary movies. But the moment I first heard an episode of her podcast, I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy & laughter! This podcast is absolutely hilarious, but she also invites a lot of different celebrities to play games like “Deal Breaker” and to help give advice to her listeners. It’s amazing, so I definitely recommend it!Â
Molly Burch creates the kind of music that makes you just want to wallow in your thoughts. Her album called “Please Be Mine” is a work of art, and I really do hope you guys give it a listen. My mom says it’s depressing, but something about her music instantly takes me to a place where I have no worries in the world. With that being said, I really do hope you guys like it.
If any of you guys read to the end of this post, I not only appreciate you but also love you from the bottom of my heart. On the other hand, I hope you guys give any of these a try because let’s face it the world is a crazy place nowadays and we all need a little ME time. With these tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be feeling like a million bucks before you have to go out there and face the world again.
Thank you so much for reading and please do comment down on the things YOU do to relax, I’m genuinely interested.
xoxo Paola Fog