amazing stress relievers other than fitness and meditation

[tytbody]

Originally Posted by alisoncooks

*snort* I always have this mental struggle when I talk about coloring books for adults. The phrasing sounds so risqué.

we shouldn't even have to say the not x-rated kind. I don't think the people that do use the x=rated ones will say so any how.. as soon as you put the word Adult in front of something it becomes sexualized.

[tytbody]

Originally Posted by sherry7899

There actually are adult coloring books with profainity! I saw it on Amazon.

they just love to say those words. they are proud of it and when you speakup on it, they call you a prude.. when I was going through Cancer all they would use is Fffffff cancer, got T-shirts with it on it, mugs, bumper sticks and it just makes my hair stand on end. Adults.. the way they portray them if you knew now what you knew then, you'd be looking for peter pan all the time.

[Vantreesta]

I didn't realize what a calming effect my Chianna Bear had on me until we lost her October 1. When I walked her it was just so relaxed and she was such a calm easy dog. I noticed my anxiety increasing after she was gone. Cyric is a higher maintenance dog so our walks aren't as relaxed since he is very dog reactive, but cuddling with him at home and just petting him is so relaxing. I sometimes feel like I'm melting.

Hiking is still exercise but a huge stress buster for me.

I also find crochet relaxing. I haven't colored (kids' coloring books, I do not want detail for an already cluttered overworking brain!) or made jewelry in a long time but those things are also calming.

But my biggest stress reliever is baking and making candy. Yes, there are times a recipe might not be turning out right, but for the most part nothing bothers me when I'm in my kitchen (except Cyric barking at reflections or the neighbors' dog...argh!).

[noodles]

When I experienced panic attacks for the first time this summer I found a studio nearby that runs jewelry making classes all week as well as workshops on various spiritual topics such as chakras, use of crystals and so on. I never knew I had a creative side in me but I've made about 25 healing bracelets already and taken several workshops. It even lead me to take my level 1 Reiki training. It's definitely a place I'm drawn to when feeling anxious and I could sit there for hours making bracelets for friends.

[Daffie]

I like coloring but I actual like the preschool kind without a lot of detail. If it's a person or animal I like to give them a name.

[alisoncooks]

Burning nice candles.
Sitting with a hot cup of coffee.
The ritual of scrubbing my feet with minty, scrubby soap and then following with lotion.

(I see most of my calming things are scent related. Interesting.)

I also find The Great British Baking Show to be very calming.

[Usia]

Probably not what you're looking for, but a glass of really good, ice cold white wine does the trick every time.

[bubbles76]

Sitting with my hot cup of tea.
Reading.
Watching survival shows and period pieces.
Listening to Star Trek music.
Watching Golden Girls or Star Trek.

[Vantreesta]

Oh, I forgot one of my big ones bc I haven't used it recently. I love listening to Spooky Symphonies on Pandora. It's like classical Halloween music and horror movie themes. Weird, I know, but it works for me! Cyric is not a big fan of parts of the Psycho soundtrack though. My friend's son asked me if that's why I didn't have kids, so I could listen to scary music. I love that kid, he cracks me up!

[sherry7899]

-Reading, especially psychological suspense that I get totally absorbed into

-playing music, and if no one is around , singing along loudly. That is a great stress reliever!
We may be getting a piano (excited!) and I am eager to attempt playing again. I don't have a desire to take lessons, but I just want to have fun
trying to play. I took lessons a long time ago.

-I really love to bake and cook. I find it meditative. However, I don't find doing dishes meditative at all! I hate cleaning up.

-I admit to relaxing by watching tv-it can be mindless comedies or family dramas or psychological suspense shows.

-cuddling my cats is very stress relieving

If I lived near enough to the ocean to go walk there, I would definitely do that! My neighborhood is VERY boring for walking.

Vantreesa, I am so very sorry for your loss.

Noodles-it sounds like you have a lovely place near you! I'd really enjoy something like that.

I tried an adult coloring book, but to be honest I did not find it relaxing at all. I think because the pictures are SO detailed and you need to color in such tiny spaces. I have lousy fine motor skills (I was born very premature and was told that is the reason) so I find that more frustrating than anything.
I wish I could sew, quilt, knit or crochet, but the lousy fine motor skills make those things difficult.