August 23, 2013

My Top Ten List of Ways to Relax

Today’s discussion is sponsored byOzarka Brand Natural Spring Sparkling Water.
We have finally made it to Friday!  This week felt extra long, but maybe it was the presentations at work, the start of school or the teaser of Labor Day coming soon.  I don’t normally get stressed out (Shane does enough of that for the both of us,) but it has definitely been a busy last year.  Rewarding, but busy.  I normally post more pictures than words, so I thought it would be nice for me to do something a little different today.  I made a top ten list of the feel good things I do during the week to unwind.  Some of these may be right up your alley, and some of them may not be.  They’re what Shane and I do though, and they seem to work for us, so I thought I would share.  = )
1.  Go for a run.  If you don’t run, then walk.  I just started back up running last week, and it is my personal time to relax, listen to my music and clear my mind.  Even if you only run or walk a mile, just get moving, especially outdoors.  The fresh air always helps me to feel better!  If you don’t run, ride your bike.  It is so relaxing, and it’s easier than running.  = )  If you don’t have a bike, go to the gym.  Sweating and doing something good for your body will definitely make you feel better.  And make sure to stay hydrated!
2.  Read a book.  I have the Kindle app on my iPhone, and I love using it.  Whenever I lie out by the pool, I am usually read a book on my phone.  I have read all of the Emily Giffin books and love them.  I am currently finishing up the next to last Sookie Stackhouse book.
3.  If you have pets, play outside with them.  And not just in your backyard, take them to a park.  Take them somewhere different.  Throw a rope, ball or frisbee to them.  If you don’t have pets, take your kids, nephews or neices to a park.  You can’t help but feel good knowing what a good time they’re having!
4.  Go for a drive.  Shane and I aren’t in the market for a new home at all, but we have always appreciated design and landscaping.  We love driving around and discovering a new neighborhood.  Plus, it helps us get great idea for other things we want to do to our house and our landscaping.  It gives you something to work towards, and it fuels your creative side.
5.  Draw or paint.  I’m not good at either of those, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.  If you don’t want to draw or paint, then maybe writing is more of your thing?  Any kind of creative outlet is going to help relax you.
6.  Do what you love.  I know this seems like a no brainer, but so many of us get caught up in life that we forget what our passion really is.  Maybe you don’t even know what yours is.  What do you enjoy most?  What do you feel most comfortable doing and talking about?  Try to find out what you love doing, and even if you can’t make it your profession, make it your hobby for now.  You never know when your dream job might become a reality.
7.  Spend time with family, and maybe when you do, try spending it doing something different than normal.  I am very close to my family, and I feel like I can never see them as much as I want to.  Dang grad school!  The truth is, though, that we always make time for the things that we want to make time for.  Maybe try sitting your phone down at night and just relaxing with your husband or kids or even your parents.  You can never spend enough time with family, and they will never be here long enough.  Don’t regret not seeing them enough.
8.  Try out a new recipe, or if you’re like me, try out a new restaurant.  Mine and Shane’s favorite new recipe is a BLT Pimento Cheese sandwich, and you can find a similar one here.  Who said that only weekends have to be reserved for eating out?  Try a new place during the week.  Get out and explore; you might find your new favorite restaurant.  And if the restaurant has a patio, that’s a bonus.  If you’re cooking at home, sit out on your patio there.  One of the best nights we have had was last week when we cooked dinner together, sat out on the sectional on the screened in patio and watched a Larry David movie on the iPad.
9.  If it’s in your budget, do a little shopping.  For your house, for school supplies, for your wardrobe or maybe even your husband’s wardrobe.  It always feels good to get something new, even if it’s just a $20 pillow from Target to brighten up your living room or a new lipstick.  Sometimes you need a pick me up to brighten your day.
10.  Do something nice for someone else.  The best thing I can ever do to feel better is to do something good for someone else.  Help someome who you know needs it.  Hold the door open for anyone you see, give money to the church or volunteer at your local homeless shelter.  If you’re in the Memphis area, Memphis Union Mission is a good one.  And when you do end up doing something nice for someone, don’t do it for the wrong reasons.  Do it for no reason other than to make someone’s day, and don’t expect anything in return.
Thanks to Ozarka Brand Natural Spring Sparkling Water for sponsoring today’s discussion.  They have a great line of zero calorie natural spring sparkling waters to help you feel refreshed while taking some time for yourself and relaxing.  For more feel good tips, make sure to check out Ozarka’s Facebook page.  All content and opinions are my own.
What do you do to relax and have a feel good moment?  Have you tried out Ozarka’s natural spring sparking water?  Do you have any good books you recommend?
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18 thoughts on “My Top Ten List of Ways to Relax”

  4. Alyssa

    I usually do quite a few of these, but I've had a pretty hectic few weeks and have forgotten to a lot of these (like drawing)…thanks for the reminder! And for book recommendations- have you read the Paris Wife? I thought it was pretty good!

    Runway Chef

    Reply

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