We've had all those weeks. When the housework is piling up, the kids have been particularly difficult, white goods break down without warning, someone's causing trouble at the office...etc etc.
The weeks where you just want to lock the door on a Friday evening, wrap yourself in a blanket and never have to face the world again! So what's the best way to unwind after one of those particularly stressful weeks?
Here are 5 ways I like to unwind when life gets on top of me a bit.
1) Get Lost In A Good Movie
I'm sure this goes without saying and is no doubt the go-to for most people, but nothing relaxes me more than snuggling down with my favorite blanket and some yummy treats, and immersing myself into someones else's world via a good film.
With Netflix & Amazon Prime there's always something new to watch, but my favorite thing to do when I'm having a particularly tough time with anxiety is to put on an old favorite.
There's something so comforting about the familiarity of a movie I know well, no nasty surprises in store - just the good memories that my favorite flicks bring. The Sound Of Music, Grease and Steel Magnolias are all go-to choices for me!
A few hours spent watching Maria fall in love with Captain Von Trapp again, or singing along to the Grease classics and I can feel the stresses of the week just melting away - perfect!
2) Unwind With Some CBD Oil
Did you know that CBD oil is legal to use in the UK? It's known to have many therapeutic benefits including helping to alleviate anxiety, and so can be a perfect way to unwind from a stressful week.
According to CBD oil UK law, it is not allowed to be sold as a medical product which means that brands cannot advertise their CBD products as having any particular medical benefits (although research indicates that it has a positive effect on anxiety and stress.) This is why most CBD products are sold as a health food supplements, but luckily getting CBD oil in the UK is quite convenient and can be pretty affordable too.
I find it can be a great way to calm down after periods of high anxiety, and it can also have a reductive effect on pain levels too.
3) Have A Bedroom Boogie
Nothing gets me out of a bad head space faster than good uplifting music does, and putting on my favorite tunes and having a good dance around my bedroom can really help to lift my spirits quickly!
I've created a Happy Songs playlist on my phone full of all the music that I find really helps to lift my spirits - ranging from uplifting pop classics to songs that evoke good memories and feelings for me - it always works to pull me out of a funk in an instant.
If I'm feeling particularly energetic, I also really like to put on The Fitness Marshall's youtube channel and join in with his funny & energetic dance exercise videos. They're so good for getting a bit out of breath and lifting the spirit! Gentle exercise can be so therapeutic.
4) Get Retro & Play A Video Game!
It had been years since I'd bothered playing a video game until very recently, it was something I always leave to my kids! But a few months back I decided on a whim to buy The Sims 2 - a game I used to really love and would play until the early hours most days.
I started playing it of an evening once the kids had gone to bed, and I fell straight back in love with creating my Sims ideal homes and planning out their life stories - it's so much fun and I've loved playing it again.
It really manages to suck me in, leaving me completely distracted from any every day stresses and strains - ideal!
5) Try Your Hand At Something Creative
I have to admit to not being the most creative of people, but I've often thought how relaxing it must be for those who have a talent for the likes of sewing/knitting/embroidery to spend some time of an evening getting stuck in to something creative.
I think the important thing is to remember not to focus on results for this one - I'm not artistically gifted and so I can get easily disheartened by what I end up producing but it's not about that, it's about the experience and getting lost in the process of being creative and expressing yourself through some kind of art.
I quite fancy trying my hand at some painting, and I recently bought a book to help me learn how to draw properly - it certainly helps me to unwind, and if I'm not feeling up to anything too intense then a bit of mindful colouring works a treat too! Home Bargains have some great colouring books for adults.
What's your favorite way to unwind after a stressful week? I'd love to hear your ideas!
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