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How do you unwind?
We all have stressful days and we all wish we didn't. What is your go-to strategy for calming yourself down after an all too eventful day?
We all have stressful days and we all wish we didn't. What is your go-to strategy for calming yourself down after an all too eventful day?
I’ve found the best way to reduce stress is to get completely lost in something. Usually that’s a good TV show or movie, but books also work great depending on the genre. Working out was mentioned previously as not working, but a good all-in workout before the day starts seems to be more effective with preventing stress than alleviating it, at least for me.
Adding on to that, I find a good video game that you can get lost in the flow of works really well too. Something where you can just let your instincts and reflexes take over, like Doom, Far Cry, Bulletstorm, Borderlands, or any other fast paced FPS.
Exercise is basically a miracle drug for me. If I come tense and wound up from work, 30 minutes of intense exercise on the treadmill will sort that out. Outside of exercising, I agree, achieving some kind of flow state is critical.
Going for a walk after dinner really helps me relax, even if I have a ton of thoughts racing through my head. It can be tough to convince myself to go during bad weather (particularly during the cold rain/snow/ice), but I almost always manage to convince myself. Having appropriate clothing and changing into it helps. Once I get back home, I always feel better than I did before leaving. I try to take at least a slightly different path each time, appreciate the scenery, and just walk until I feel I've walked enough (usually 1-5 miles). I bring headphones but rarely use them.
This is great! I used to go for an almost daily walk when I was looking for a job and it was perfect.
It is more difficult to get out during the dark evening hours in winter. But for me, walking through the snow is amazing. Your feet slowly crushing the snow when you walk and all sounds around you sound muffled. It's very calming.
You know, I was just thinking of going for walks in the evening when I am stressed, but your description convinced me to start doing so. Thanks!
Thanks, I hope you enjoy it!
Drinking a cup of tea, often puerh, which has a taste unlike any other tea and can be compared to the smell of forest soil. Very strong tea so one filled teabag lasts for 10-20 dark-colored steepings.
Alongside I listen to music, usually something ambient or folky. Then stare into the sky through the window and let thoughts wander guided by music.
Play Gymnopedie #1 on my guitar. Whether I am furious or stressed or just frustrated, it calms me down. I know the version the guy from the LickNRiff YouTube channel teaches.
Take a warm shower while listening to some reggae. The best thing civilisation has to give is easy access to clean, hot water and on demand access to great music.
Have a beautiful beer alone by the sea, or while walking home from the bus stop. I have to walk up a hill so it is a bit tiring, but still lovely and relieving.
Gardening is very relaxing, for me. Watching your plants grow, pruning them when they need it, picking fruits, it's quite rewarding. It can also be stressful, especially when they get sick or start wilting for no reason. So it's a bit of a mixed bag, but it's very nice when it works out.
I let myself get absorbed into something I enjoy, which is usually fiddling with computers, programming, video games, or watching some technical YouTube channels like Technology Connections, Techmoan, or Retro Game Mechanics, especially in the bathtub. Hard to feel stressed when I'm laser focusing on something that brings me enjoyment. :) I also tend to go to bed early if it's been a really bad day. A proper amount of sleep can do wonders, and I don't get enough of it if I'm being honest these days. University is quite stressful and time intensive.
Baking and cooking. Lately my wife and I have taken up making bread from scratch. It’s a very easy process and it’s very calming.
Ahhh sometimes I just need a drink. More often though I'll play guitar for a bit. It's a good distraction and I can really get lost in improve, playing songs I've learned, or even just drilling techniques. Other times I'll jump online and play games with friends. We can talk about life stuff if needed, but a lot of times we just put that stuff aside and focus on the games.
It's hard to be stressed if you're eating good food, but hard to cook good food if you're stressed. So very rarely I'll order in, or I'll head out somewhere warm and cozy to eat, just to have a place to relax. Apart from that, keeping my mind engaged on non-stressful topics, e.g. playing games or watching a good show or movie. For some people, cooking is actually less stressful, but for me it's a lot of work and it's not enough to keep my mind from focusing on the source of my stress. The same is true of exercise and other solutions that aren't sufficiently mentally demanding.
It's all about changing my environment and/or point of focus.
i've never been any good at the whole unwinding thing - if anything at home i get more wound up because i lose that clear sense of purpose that i get from being at work. if you related to me, i have some advice:
those friends that feel cold and uncaring - they care. those moments you remember as embarrassing - nobody else does. the darkness you feel inside - it's brightness birthing. try to direct your caustic energy into making something, anything. it helps.
Thanks for this..I saw this topic and was like, "What do I do to unwind?" Seeing this post makes me feel better about it.
Gaming. Specifically, something where I shoot and things die. Lately, that's GTA Online, where I can go into a private session and murder people and pretend they're the people who stressed me out.
This reminds me of this Black Mirror episode: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Callister
I mean, it's a pretty good way to unwind, apart from the whole "enslavement of a conscious being" thing.
Gaming for me as well. The games can't be stressful or frustrating though. I've found slow-paced (or turn-based) strategy games work well, like Crusader Kings or Civilization (on a slightly too easy difficulty setting). The Sims also did the trick back when I was on Windows, and Cities: Skylines, until it stopped working on my computer for some reason.
4X Games like Master of Orion, as well as "tycoon" games are another favorite.
Same. Except something more laid back like a base-building or city-simulator. Or even World of Warcraft, when not doing raids or dungeons and just completing old achievements or doing old content.
My favourite cool-down was when I lived near this par 3 course. I’d hip the fence, play two holes (always the same) and then continue on with the night. Once a week I’d pay for a round, but leave after the first hole.
These days I pop on whatever audiobook I’m listening to and wander around a grocery store... typicallytakkng at least three or four times as long as I should.
Triathlon training! Not for everyone as it sometimes feels like a second job but knowing I'm working towards my next race or adventure swim/bike/run helps create purpose in my life to reduce the nausea of any feelings of meaninglessness.
Some combination of
In addition to video games, lately I've spent a lot of time doing 3D modelling. Sci-fi ships, houses, MtG deck boxes... all sorts of things. That on my big screen with Netflix or something on a second monitor is perfect.