52 Ways To Relax

1. Take a long, hot bath.
2. Have a cup of tea and a scone.
3. Cross stitch.
4. Read an old favorite.
5. Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate (coffee/tea) and a good book.
6. Soak your feet, then rub moisturizer into them.
7. Write a letter.
8. Write in a journal (or a blog).
9. Make a list of all the things you need to do so that you can check them off as you complete them.
10. Make a list before bed of all the things you are worried about, then go to sleep.
11. Watch a funny movie.
12. Knit.
13. Cry – sometimes that is just what you need.
14. Stretch for 5-10 minutes.
15. Go for a walk.
16. Go outside and enjoy the good weather, even if it is only for 10 minutes.
17. Eat lunch away from your desk.
18. Encourage someone who is struggling.
19. Get a massage.
20. Have soup for dinner in the winter – or a nice stew.
21. Make your favorite meal for dinner.
22. Spend the day in pajamas.
23. Don’t read the news (online or paper) first thing in the morning – it is usually a depressing start to the day.
24. Do something nice for your significant other.
25. Call your parent(s).
26. Take your child to the park.
27. Blow bubbles with your child.
28. Read to your children.
29. Turn off the phone (or phones).
30. Turn off the TV, put on some music, and read.
31. Take some deep breaths and step back from the situation until you are calmer.
32. Crochet.
33. Create something: bake, model clay, cook, whatever.
34. Bake bread – the effort of kneading the dough will work off some energy and the smell of bread baking is incredible.
35. Make soup out of whatever you have in the house. Be creative.
36. Light some candles and soak in the tub.
37. Find a pool and go swimming.
38. Go for a long walk in the woods.
39. Go for a walk on the beach.
40. Write a short story.
41. Listen to classical music.
42. Call someone you love.
43. Have a picnic outside.
44. Read a childhood favorite.
45. Play an instrument.
46. Dance.
47. Write thank you notes.
48. Turn off electronics for a day – no tv, PDA, pager, computer, etc.
49. Lose yourself in a computer game for a little while (mind you – for a little while).
50. Make a list of everything you need to do the next day before bed so you stop worrying about those things.
51. Break a project down into manageable steps and do the first one.
52. Stop trying to multitask – do one thing at a time and do it well the first time.