... and relax! What do you do to unwind?

Chloe_Alumni
Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing

May is National Meditation Month, with a large focus on mindfulness and relaxation. It can be so easy to go through life and forget about giving yourself time to unwind relax, but it’s so important we make time to do this.

Meditation doesn’t necessarily need to be sat crossed legged on the floor with your eyes closed— as relaxing as this can be for a lot of people. Just taking a moment during the day check in with yourself can be beneficial. How relaxed are you feeling right now? Making a conscious effort to relax your shoulders, letting go of tension and focusing on your breathing for a few minutes can help more than you think!

Watching my favourite film or reading a book are two ways I choose unwind after a long day. I also know there are apps like Headspace or Calm that can be helpful and offer things like a guided meditation.  

What do you do to unwind? How will you relax today? Share your thoughts below!

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Comments

  • Ami2301
    Ami2301 Online Community Member Posts: 7,877 Championing
    Writing has helped massively in regards to becoming relaxed. Although it can cause tension in my neck and shoulders, I have one of those neck pillows and it has been a godsend! When using it, it's so relieving to know I'm not tensing myself up to support my neck. Improves my performance in whatever I'm doing, whether it be writing or here on the community :)
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,732 Online Community Programme Lead
    I find it difficult to unwind, but reading's quite good for it. Unfortunately writing often relaxes me so much I end up falling asleep. So much for productivity! : :confounded:
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,701 Cerebral Palsy Network
    A nice hot bath works a treat for me!
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    I love writing too @Ami2301 :) I also have one of those pillows! Comfiest thing ever!
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    @Adrian_Scope, at least it is obviously relaxing! 
    @Richard_Scope, I can definitely agree with that one- a nice hot bath works every time!
  • tcellmutation
    tcellmutation Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering
    edited May 2019
    Can’t do much so I fly a drone ??‍♂️Don’t have to move around which is good. Editing the footage on my tablet in the evening is also very fun.
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Flying a drone still sounds like a lot of fun @tcellmutation! My dad used to have mini helicopters and stuff like that we could fly- I was never very good though! 
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,732 Online Community Programme Lead
    What kind of drone do you fly @tcellmutation? I used to do a bit of work for a drone magazine, so having my own has always appealed to me, although I’m not sure where I’d even fly one to be honest!
  • tcellmutation
    tcellmutation Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering
    What kind of drone do you fly @tcellmutation? I used to do a bit of work for a drone magazine, so having my own has always appealed to me, although I’m not sure where I’d even fly one to be honest!
    I fly a DJI Mavic Zoom. Although restrictions are tight these days. You don’t need a licence for personal use but there are a few rules to abide by. Can still have good fun tho
  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,863 Championing
    Exercise helps me relax. I also find that a good film or book is what I need after a long day of work. I used to have sleeping pills but after a while I stopped taking them. 
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Great to hear you have may ways to relax @April2018mom! What kinds of books and films do you like? :)
  • Antonia_Alumni
    Antonia_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,764 Pioneering
    I joined headspace recently and I find it useful, but find it hard to mediate without overthinking. 
    Drawing, listening music or doing my nails relaxes me.
  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,863 Championing
    Oh I’m not fussed. I also love gardening and walks in the countryside. I also enjoy trips to art galleries, museums and beaches. Ever since I was a child I loved going to parties and picnics. Art is therapy for me. 
  • ScoliFibroGirl
    ScoliFibroGirl Online Community Member Posts: 54 Contributor
    I like to read a good book on my kindle app, I also love art therapy and watching YouTube videos/listening to music.
  • ScoliFibroGirl
    ScoliFibroGirl Online Community Member Posts: 54 Contributor
    I also keep my notifications on silent a majority of the day.  I find it more enjoyable as I can concentrate better and rarely use my iPhone. I keep my phone on hold mode, the phone calls can come through but I’m not answering them and same for texts messages. I don’t like being contactable, if I need help I will call up and when you’ve got no friends it’s a lot easier lol.  I have penfriends.. I have stopped turning up to groups 
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Hi @ScoliFibroGirl, thank you for those suggestions! I also love reading, what kind of books are you in to? I do prefer to deal with all notifications at the end of the day rather than constantly. Having penfriends sounds lovely!

  • tcellmutation
    tcellmutation Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering
    I also keep my notifications on silent a majority of the day.  I find it more enjoyable as I can concentrate better and rarely use my iPhone. I keep my phone on hold mode, the phone calls can come through but I’m not answering them and same for texts messages. I don’t like being contactable, if I need help I will call up and when you’ve got no friends it’s a lot easier lol.  I have penfriends.. I have stopped turning up to groups 
    Amazing idea!
  • ScoliFibroGirl
    ScoliFibroGirl Online Community Member Posts: 54 Contributor
    Depending on if i got enough concentration and focus in the day I like to listen to audiobooks mainly, crime fiction solving murders and stuff like that. I am not really into anything that's too mundane or too love-orientated, that does not make want to listen futher.. there has to be some sort of drama/dilemma and not just he said/she said love story. 
    I also love researching new ways of life, new advances in medical technology and productivity tips, technology ideas, things to do on my mac, projects to try out each day., but all depends on how I am feeling and whatever symptoms I am experiencing. There are some days when simply watching Netflix with cup of tea is the closet I get and that's always good. It's all to do with self-care for your mind, emotional and physical wellbeing. 

    What I started doing a couple of days ago, is not worry about how many hours there are and if I am being productive or not as they can make you feel that enjoyment activities are bad.
    But to do one activity from each group section that helps.

    Psychology degree for an hour - good for the mind keep it occupied
    Physical - Go for a walk around the block
    Social -  have a chat with an online friend today, joined a few chat rooms, gone on to forums
    Played with dog

    And like if for example, I didn't have the energy to do an hour of psychology I would move to another day or few hours later. Keeping a small log helps you keep accountable for what you've done.


  • ScoliFibroGirl
    ScoliFibroGirl Online Community Member Posts: 54 Contributor
    Hi @ScoliFibroGirl, thank you for those suggestions! I also love reading, what kind of books are you in to? I do prefer to deal with all notifications at the end of the day rather than constantly. Having penfriends sounds lovely!

    its really down to personal preference, there are some people can cope with their phone by their side and frequently look at it while they are working and the others that they've gotta put it another room on silent but most of the time I can't be assed to charge the thing :):smile: so I leave it in drawer and a few days later I realize where's my mobile? I am not like those teenagers/twenty thirty somethings who are texting on their friends all day. lol  I use it mostly for music, youtube.
  • Ails
    Ails Online Community Member Posts: 2,237 Championing
    I find doing arts and crafts such as making cards or knitting really relaxing and it helps to clear my mind also.  I too enjoy reading a good book or even a bit of escapism with a good drama or film on tv.  :smile: