Favorite Ways to Relax

I like to think about relaxation in terms of self-care. What are the things I am doing that make me feel most at peace and intentional with who I am and who I want to be? That is the question I would like to ask myself as I think about my favorite ways to relax.

Sure, watching TV and scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest can be relaxing but not in the way that is going to allow me to love myself and feel whole again when I'm finished.

Unfortunately, I do more watching TV and phone scrolling than anything else on this list. This is my reminder of the things that make me feel good, whole, and like I love myself.

1. A hot bath. I must say I have a love/hate relationship with taking baths. On one hand, taking the time to soak in water, salts, and coconut milk (my best tip for soft skin right out of the bath) feels luxurious and so self-indulgent. As soon as I get out of that hot water, I am ready to go to bed or take a nap. It is the ultimate form of relaxation. However, when I am actually in the bath, I can get so bored. I've taken to watching Grey's Anatomy on the iPad in the bath just so I don't get so incredibly bored. I've tried podcasts, music, candles, etc. I always seem to get bored. Maybe I need to look at it as a form of meditation to quietly relax in the bathtub without distractions.

2. Speaking of meditation... This one is so hard! It is by far one of the best things I do for my mental health and yet, I am so bad about doing it consistently. I know that if I were to keep it up, I would feel better, make better decisions, and be more at peace in my everyday life (also much more patient and kind to my students). It is something I have even implemented in the classroom when we need moments of calm. I need more of it in my personal life though.

3. Yoga. Another thing that I wish I did more of but rarely stay consistent with it. There is something about doing yoga that makes me self-reflective when I'm done and makes my body feel stretched out in a good way.

4. Hot coffee or green tea. I've realized that although I'm not caffeine dependent (I don't get headaches or anything if I don't have it), it does make me so much more energetic and happy in the mornings. However, I've taken to just drinking it as I drive or as I begin my day at the school instead of really sitting down and savoring my cup. Taking the time to mindfully drink tea or coffee is such a simple pleasure for relaxation.

5. Reading. 2018 was my year for reading. Now, with student teaching and being so busy with assignments and spending so much time with other people, I haven't been reading hardly at all. I know that being a reader is a huge part of my identity and I will always come back to it. But I also need to remember to take time for it even when my schedule is busy or I'm not feeling motivated or happy about it.

6. Walks with Luna. My daily walk with Luna used to be something I would resent sometimes and treasure others. But now that we live far away from a walking place and it doesn't happen every day, I realize how much I loved those walks. How they made me step back and be present with where I was with my day and my life. How they allowed for gentle and kind movement. How good they were for Luna and me. I miss them dearly and really look forward to being able to step out the front door and walk her again when we are in England.

Here is my reminder to do more of the things that make me love myself and care for myself. I know I'll feel more like the person I truly want to be than I do currently.