How to relax??

How to relax??

Didn't find your answer?

Lately, I am finding it harder and harder to 'switch off' work mode after busy and rather stressful days.

Anyone else having similar problems?

My usual hot chocolate methods don't seem to be working!!

Replies (12)

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Teignmouth
By Paul Scholes
11th Jun 2010 10:21

Distraction activity

Hi - there was a report recently which I think stated that being outdoors in itself is healthier than being indoors.  I am fortunate in having moved my office to within a 25 min walk of home and at the moment am making full use of it and with 10 mins of it through a park, it is the perfect way, for me, to generate a barrier between home & work, especially after sitting for hours in front of a screen.

I am also fortunate in being a wildlife fanatic and so anything (living) that flys, walks, creeps or just grows on the journey is enough to take my mind off the cares of work.

I've also "done" yoga for years and there are some really basic & simple breathing techniques that make you dwell on that simple activity rather than all the other stuff.

Finally there's swimming (outdoors of course) or walking my dog, she's so "busy" I feel I don't need to be.  These  are my distraction activities, those things you do that naturally take your attention to something other than what was stressing you out.  For others it will be painting, singing, playing an instrument, reading etc etc but the key I think is to be actively doing something rather than sitting passively watching the TV.

Deep breath....back to numbers

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By cathygrimmer
11th Jun 2010 10:51

Do something completely different!

I perform with a local amateur operatic society - when you're rehearsing you get exercise (on your feet all evening), a fun social experience and no time to worry about work. Not to mention the excitement and thrill of performing at a theatre (Harrogate Theatre in my case - which is fabulous) in front of a paying audience!

A drama group would probably work - if you can't sing!

Cathy

[email protected]

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By User deleted
11th Jun 2010 10:59

pet lovebirds

i have 2.

These clever little creatures with their antics will distract you.

They are very easy to look after.

Small with big personalities.

But be sure to get hand tamed ones.

 

 

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By Steve Holloway
11th Jun 2010 12:55

Walk the dogs!

45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes after work .... just the amount of time to forget any worries.

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By Gina Dyer
11th Jun 2010 12:52

Frankie says...

join our Accountants' humour and fun discussion group! People are discussing this very topic there as we speak!

(Psst...do you want to know what I do? I get in the car, turn the radio to ear splitting volume and drive around Bristol with the windows open singing at the top of my lungs. Sometimes it's 'I'm every woman by' Whitney Houston. Other times it's 'Hangin' Tough' by New Kids on the Block. I'm sure lots of people will criticise my actions and music choices but I don't care, it works for me!)

 

 

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By User deleted
11th Jun 2010 13:02

You could always read Accounting Web!

Whilst some people seem to get rather upset by some of the nonsense that goes on here, I find it highly amusing! (and certainly a distraction from work-related stress)

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By User deleted
11th Jun 2010 13:22

More dog walking

Walking the dogs is definately the way to go.  Rain or shine it's always the best way to relax and walk off any stress.  Oh and a large G&T when I get home!!

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By User deleted
11th Jun 2010 13:27

Ok, I'll say it

Surprised nobody's mentioned Sierra Echo Xray yet.

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By patvanaalst
11th Jun 2010 13:28

Well today...

...Mostly I'll be doing my 9-5 job

  - then riding up to Warwick to attend my first board meeting for a charity I've started to help out.

  - then riding over to Donnington and listening to some ear-splitting heavy metal whilst drinking more beer than the doctor recomends, until Monday, at the Download Festival!!!

 

Personally I find riding the bike very therapeutic, if a bit hazardous!

 

Thank Crunchie it's Friday...

Pat

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Teignmouth
By Paul Scholes
11th Jun 2010 13:58

Sierra Echo Xray?

Eek, funny it did pass through my mind when I listed my suggestions but I decided that I should stick with things that take more then 5 minutes (at a push) sorry sorry....it's Friday x

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By User deleted
11th Jun 2010 15:10

Funny

Slightly off topic. But your comment made me chuckle.!

A couple of years ago I was visiting my (Now late) Nan on a Sunday afternoon (She was then 70).

Anway she was reading through her 'comic' AKA - News Of The World. The front page news was a kiss and tell story concerning a model and Mini-me from the film Austin Powers, forgive me for not knowing his real name.

Any how the title said something along the lines of, 'I slept with Mini me and he lasted 6 minutes'.

My nan, while sipping her cup of tea, peered over the paper, turned to me and said, " 6 minutes .... well love it always seems longer when you are doing it!!"

I almost choked on my biscuit there and then!!!  

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By Bob Harper
13th Jun 2010 10:39

Think about it

What you could do is to understand how do you switch yourself on, and then do the opposite!

Until a few years ago I was not consciously aware of how we think but I found it interesting and useful to know that we use pictures and sounds inside our heads.  You know, the minds eye and talking to yourself and these internal representations are what generate feelings.

Now, rather than trying to control the feeling of being switched on or off you can take control of what you are thinking.  Now, after all it is your brain and with a little practice, perhaps as you read this post, you are becoming ware of pictures and sound you making internally.  Can you hear the words in your head as you read this?  What image springs to mind as you think of the sound in your head?  Once you are aware that you think in images and sounds you can start to take control of what you think and how you feel.  

Think about being fully switched on.  You may discover that you were making lots of pictures in your mind and switching from one to the other really fast whilst talking to yourself really quickly about all the things you've done and need to do with a stressed out tone. 

So, what you can do now is make the pictures smaller and move from one….to…another…slowly…whilst…speaking…quietly…to…yourself…making...each...word...last...longer....with...a…pleasant…tone.  

My guess is that all the other suggestions achieve the same result but having control over your thoughts is useful when you want to sleep and your head is spinning and you don't fancy walking the dog again!  

When I am struggling to sleep I slow my internal dialogue down to one word every three or four seconds, each word is said slowly and before I know it I'd waking up 30 seconds before the alarm goes off!

Try it, no one will know and give me a buzz, I'd love to hear how you got on or rather off.

Bob Harper

Portfolio Marketing

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