10 Blissful Ideas to Make You Relax and Unwind

Life can be stressful. And, stress is not good! Stress can cause a ton or problems both mentally and physically. It can be a problem whether you work from home or in an office. However, when you work from home you may tend to work a lot more hours than you would if you worked a 9-to-5 job. Some people are good about the balance, and good about working only a certain time. But let’s face it: most of us are not that disciplined. Some of us may work best late at night once the kids are in bed. Some of us may be comfortable putting in 12+ hours a day at our desks to get the job done. The struggle is real! If you are an entrepreneur, you have to put in those hours to be successful. Right now I am still a one-woman show, so I do it all. I always giggle when I get an email that starts out “I was wondering if someone on your team could….” HA! Oh, if only I had a team. 🙂

Working that much can be rewarding, but it can also take its toll on you. You do not want to get overworked! As much as I love my online life, I have learned to appreciate disconnecting. And when I do, there are a few things that I love to do. Here’s my list.

Take a Bath

In the hustle and bustle of busy life, I usually take a shower. It’s just much faster. It gets me dressed and out of the house when I need to go. However, when I want to relax, I love to soak in the tub. This is something that I do each and every time that I travel and stay in a hotel alone. Why? Because I know that I have no dishes to wash and no kids to feed. I can soak without anyone bothering me. When I enter a hotel room and see that there is only a shower, I am a sad, sad person!

Watch a Movie

Yes, technically this is still using technology. However, if you put your phone on silent and out of reach – and focus on JUST the movie – it can be very relaxing.

Plan or Fantasize about a Vacation

Well, duh! A vacation to a fun or relaxing place is the best place to disconnect! My favorite? A cruise! Cruises are floating, all-inclusive resorts. There is usually no Internet access so you have no choice but to disconnect and enjoy your stay. Even when I can’t immediately get away I’m guilty of browsing cruise or resort websites and thinking about exactly what I will book when the time comes. If you can’t do that, then hit the local beach!

Get a Massage

I love massages. In my opinion, there is no better way to relax. All the tension can be rubbed away. Your stress will just disappear. Having a great masseuse can keep your sanity intact. You can check out local deal sites to try new places until you find the perfect person. And if you belong to a gym, you may be able to sign up for a monthly massage.

Get a Manicure & Pedicure

Now, if you are doing this for relaxation, in addition to getting pretty, make sure that you visit a worthy shop! The shop that I usually frequent does great work, but it is always crowded. There are always people around talking loudly on their cell phones, and some even have small children with them that run all over the place. This is not relaxing! Do some research and find a shop that guarantees peace and quiet.

Get Your Kids to Pamper You

My kids love to play in my hair, paint my toes and fingers, and give me a massage. Score! One of my daughters gave me a massage coupon book for Christmas so that I can redeem them at any time. And she is very good at it!

Send the Kids Away for the Weekend

For some this may be easier said than done. But if you can manage to send your kids away to a grandparent’s or friend’s house for just two days, you can relax, take naps, soak in the tub, or just sit in peace and quiet and do nothing. Just knowing that they are not home to say, “I’m hungry!” over and over again can make a world of difference.

Exercise

My hubby and I have been very bad! Neither of us have worked out since right after our wedding last June. Oy! We need to get back on it asap. Besides helping you get in shape, it is a known fact that exercising relieves stress, and increases energy. Get those endorphins pumping, sweat and take out your frustrations on a punching bag. Committing to exercise only a couple of times a week can help you disconnect and feel less stressed. But remember: no answering work calls during this time!

Take Up Yoga or Meditating

It’s been said that Yoga or meditating forces you to relax. As part of the process you have to clear your mind, eliminate all interruptions and sit in peace and quiet for a period of time. Even if you don’t take a formal class, just try sitting quietly for a few minutes each day to relax.

Sleep, sleep, sleep!

There is nothing that makes me feel more refreshed than sleep! Instead of staying up until the wee hours of the night, try to go to bed early at least one night per week. This should preferably be on a night when you do not have to answer to the dreaded alarm clock. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and just sleep until you wake up naturally.