A friend noticed my shoulders were really tense and asked if I was stressed. Yes and no. No, I’m not stressed because I actually felt fine – but yes, I’m stressed about certain things. Such as doctors, tasks, the mites’ declared war on each other, and the house move (or rather, the surveyor’s ‘that-house-you-want-to-buy?-It-has-loads-of-problems’ report). It was like having two people inside me: one was laid-back and the other ran around, panic-like.
She suggested I should buy some candles, kick everyone out of the house, light up the candles, put in soothing music, and get in a warm and shallow bath, and just float. “You’ll feel like a child again,” the friend promised. Hm… I had some candles – birthday presents last year and this year. No one was in the house, so I went for it.
Jesus H. Christ. My fingers, toes and some parts of my feet were so pruned that I almost fainted. Tension returned to my shoulders instantly. Nice try, though. I’m thinking of nipping over to a friend who owns a jacuzzi (or however it’s spelt) to see if it’d relax me somehow. If it works, I’m buying hiring one.
If not, I’ll probably return to – this is embarrassing as it’s such a childhood thing – sitting inside a closed wardrobe and just listen to music on a mp3 player. Actually, I think I will do that today. The hell with dignity.
I wonder how do other people relax? How about you? (Providing that you don’t mind me stealing your suggestion for me to try.)
Um. I read a romance? I think if that worked for you you’d already know by now.
We’ll be having to move out soon for a week or two while our kitchen ceiling (and then the rest of the kitchen) gets fixed, and although everything seems to be under control, it’s still stressful to think about, so I really sympathise with you.
When I was very little, my family lived in a one-bedroom flat, so my bedroom was a large walk-in cupboard. It seemed huge to me because I was still very small. So sitting in a closed wardrobe doesn’t seem that odd to me. The only thing is, I’d worry you might end up in Narnia, and I don’t think that would be at all de-stressing
Oh, good. Glad to know there is someone who gets what I meant. Hope the kitchen re-do will go very well.
Heh. Thanks. I would worry about ending up in Narnia as well, because I don’t want to come across Mr. Tumnus. He seems so pervy and perhaps sleazy in the film. Or is it just me who noticed that?
I think I’ve just outed myself: I never read the Narnia book series. Oh, that would make an interesting blog post. Thanks for sparking the idea.
I’m the other way around. We didn’t have a TV when I was a child, we still don’t have one, and I’ve only rarely gone to see a film. Watching all the people move about (in films, on TV, in theatre performances) tends to give me a headache.
Baths rarely help me to relax, either, mainly because I have long legs. If our ship ever comes in, I want a massive bath.
I’m someone who finds it very difficult to relax at times, so I’ve got no magic solutions to offer. Sometimes reading a good book helps, or getting some fresh air, but I’m sure you’ve tried that already.
Hope you find a solution!
Baths, wine, cheesy movies. BEING ALONE!!!! All other activities are optional, but I really need to be alone to destress.
Jigsaw puzzles, playing music really loudly while singing and dancing around like a loon, or swimming. One of those will normally give me a respite for a little while.
I don’t think you are missing out that much on not reading Narnia. I was never all that much a fan of the series. I don’t know if that is thanks to the older brother pointing out their religiousness when I brought them home from the library as a kidlet or what. (we were/are little heathens with low tolerance) But they never did too much for me.
Edie, thank you! I thought I was the only reader who wasn’t blown away by the Chronicles of Narnia. I quite liked ‘The lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, but found the subsequent books tedious. My favourite in the series was the prequel, ‘The Magician’s Nephew’, which many Narnia fans dismiss as inferior to the rest.
I know what you mean, I am pretty alone in my group with that view as well.
I tried to re-read them recently, and lion, witch, wardrobe was pretty much the only one I managed to complete.
One of my best discoveries this year has been yoga. I go thrice a week for 1.5 hours each class. No matter how terrible I’m feeling that morning, I put my clothes on, and I go. Because I know that by the end of the class, I’m going to be feeling so much better. It’s the single thing that has kept my headaches and chronic daily pain to a lower level. In fact, this is the lowest it has been in 6-8 years.
@Laura Vivanco
I didn’t have a TV when I was growing up, either. *deprived!* We don’t have a TV here as well. *deprived!* I tend to watch films and BBC programmes (via iPlayer) on my laptop.
@SarahT
Yes! Baths drive me nut for two reasons: it’s too short and it bores me. I’m the sort who would play with bubbles, just to kill the boredom. I know some enjoy lying there and just soak up, but me? I get fidgety. Actually, having to think about it, I don’t get fidgety when the light’s off and the bathroom is in complete darkness. Weird. Will have one tonight to see if that’s true.
@Megan
Yeah, I’m starting to realise that that is probably the best way to go. I think that’s why I escape into a wardrobe, just to be alone.
@Edie
I haven’t tried a jigsaw puzzle for years. I should give it a try and see if that would work. Thanks for that comment about Narnia. *feels much better*
@Keira Soleore
Quite a few friends recommended yoga and I tried it a couple of times. Each time, I was so fidgety that I was disturbing the others so I had to stop giving it a try. It’s much more suitable for those who are self-disciplined (and sensible).