Not OT: What do you do to relax?

[Joanna]

I love my downtime! I am a big reader, and also enjoy drawing. I first got into it when someone gave me a book on the Zentangle method, which is small meditative drawings made up of repeated patterns. I am now branching out into visual journals and have been keeping a daily log that mixes writing with little pictures and decorations.

One hobby I have not seen mentioned here is Lego. There is a whole adult Lego community out there on the internet! I first got into this when D got me a Lego bear for Valentine's Day last year. There is something so meditative about putting a piece together one model at a time. I am at the point now where I am starting to combine them to make bigger and fancier ones. It is quite a creative hobby!

[marya]

Originally Posted by Joanna

I love my downtime! I am a big reader, and also enjoy drawing. I first got into it when someone gave me a book on the Zentangle method, which is small meditative drawings made up of repeated patterns. I am now branching out into visual journals and have been keeping a daily log that mixes writing with little pictures and decorations.

One hobby I have not seen mentioned here is Lego. There is a whole adult Lego community out there on the internet! I first got into this when D got me a Lego bear for Valentine's Day last year. There is something so meditative about putting a piece together one model at a time. I am at the point now where I am starting to combine them to make bigger and fancier ones. It is quite a creative hobby!

Joanna, near my neighborhood Goodwill, one apartment dweller converted half of his living room to what he called a Lego Museum. The display was huge and amazingly complex. He always left his drapes open and lighted the display at night. It was quite a neighborhood attraction. I'm sure many people were as sorry as I was when he moved!

[WWWendy]

I really like this monthly healthy habit idea and I'm enjoying this thread!

My favorite relaxing activities are reading, gardening, nature photography, visiting public and private gardens, and the ritual of preparing and drinking a nice pot of loose leaf tea.

A simple hand massage from my husband (who is very good at it) is also amazingly effective at helping me relax. Whether I've spent my day with a keyboard and mouse or digging in the garden, even a short hand massage can be very restorative.

We have recently acquired a piano, and I am going to try to pick up where I left off with lessons that I stopped as a teenager. Music always has been relaxing for me but I have not made my own music for years. The joy my son gets from his music has inspired me to pick it back up.

[Lucky Star]

I love playing Euro board games with DH and/or friends. Depending on the game I find it either excitingly stressful or super relaxing, both excellent time passers with loved ones.

I also enjoy reading and listening to music.

[ADoll]

I love to scrapbook and/or listen to music. Yoga and meditation helps me relax. Even a little nap here and there.

[Lucky Star]

Originally Posted by ADoll

Even a little nap here and there.

OMG yes, naps!!

[nevertoolate]

Originally Posted by WWWendy

I really like this monthly healthy habit idea and I'm enjoying this thread!

Me too! I've decided I'm going to start my own monthly healthy habit.

Originally Posted by ADoll

I love to ...listen to music. Yoga and meditation helps me relax. Even a little nap here and there.

These work for me, too. And since I recently retired, I find myself taking little naps more frequently.

I want to thank those who recommended coloring mandalas as a way to relax. I started doing this and I find it very meditative and relaxing! It also makes me feel like a kid again, free and uninhibited.

Yours in fitness and health.

Ann

[pharma_gal]

Originally Posted by nevertoolate

Me too! I've decided I'm going to start my own monthly healthy habit.



These work for me, too. And since I recently retired, I find myself taking little naps more frequently.

I want to thank those who recommended coloring mandalas as a way to relax. I started doing this and I find it very meditative and relaxing! It also makes me feel like a kid again, free and uninhibited.

Yours in fitness and health.

Ann

Are you printing these online or did you buy a book? And what kind of colors are you using? I'm really interested in this. Thanks!

[nevertoolate]

Originally Posted by pharma_gal

Are you printing these online or did you buy a book? And what kind of colors are you using? I'm really interested in this. Thanks!

There are an amazing number of adult coloring books on Amazon in many different subjects. Here are just a few: http://www.amazon.com/Color-Me-Happy...+coloring+book and
http://www.amazon.com/Mystical-Manda...oks+for+adults and http://www.amazon.com/Mystical-Manda...oks+for+adults

Unfortunately (or fortunately, knowing me), many that I really like are temporarily out of stock or have yet to be released. That will curb my spending for awhile.

For now, though, I printed some free mandala designs off the internet from these sites: http://www.coloringcastle.com/mandal...ing_pages.html and http://www.printmandala.com/ and http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...bs&form=QBIRMH. There are a lot more free sites available.

For coloring, I have an old box of 10 fine tip colored markers and a box of 24 colored pencils. These work fine, but I would like to get a larger box of colored markers like this one to give me a greater variety of colors: http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Gel-Pe...d_bxgy_b_img_y

I just love doing this! I play some relaxing music, curl up on the couch with my design and pens and get lost in the coloring. Very relaxing and meditative. And fun, too.

Ann

[catcrazy]

Originally Posted by nevertoolate

There are an amazing number of adult coloring books on Amazon in many different subjects. Here are just a few: http://www.amazon.com/Color-Me-Happy...+coloring+book and
http://www.amazon.com/Mystical-Manda...oks+for+adults and http://www.amazon.com/Mystical-Manda...oks+for+adults

Unfortunately (or fortunately, knowing me), many that I really like are temporarily out of stock or have yet to be released. That will curb my spending for awhile.

For now, though, I printed some free mandala designs off the internet from these sites: http://www.coloringcastle.com/mandal...ing_pages.html and http://www.printmandala.com/ and http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...bs&form=QBIRMH. There are a lot more free sites available.

For coloring, I have an old box of 10 fine tip colored markers and a box of 24 colored pencils. These work fine, but I would like to get a larger box of colored markers like this one to give me a greater variety of colors: http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Gel-Pe...d_bxgy_b_img_y

I just love doing this! I play some relaxing music, curl up on the couch with my design and pens and get lost in the coloring. Very relaxing and meditative. And fun, too.

Ann

Omg I love this idea, maybe it will keep me off facebook, lol. Just placed an order! Thank you!