Thanks Mike! you know, I always forget about fishing. My boys don't like to go, but I need to start just going by myself and zen out on a boat on the water and do some catch and release. I've never tried kayaking. I need to give that a try too. I love sailing too! Thanks for the post! :)
Just staring at bodies of water can be very relaxing too. We had very little vacation time this summer, between junior's summer school, poms and the dance team (all of which have served her very well in her transition to high school...) but squeezed in a 4 day weekend near Saugatuck, MI. The resort was great, had quaint 1960s vibe, kept up very nicely, 30 unit motel on a bluff elevated about 70' above Lake Michigan which stretched across the horizon. I had a great time getting a book, a cocktail and some music (Benjamin Britten I recall...) but just hanging out and reading and staring out at the lake.
No, I don't think so; I'll write it down and see if they have it at my library. Here is my list.
1419-Psyc41Book_List1.doc (31 KB)That sounds great. I go down to the lake front by Adler Planetarium sometimes and just sit and stare at the water, and get zoned out. I'll sit and watch the clouds roll into the city of Chicago and through the buildings, if they are low enough and just get lost in them. Something really peaceful about that, in a busy environment. I think Saugatuck would be great! I think I may have to plan that sometime.
this summer i did some to prepare for a mud run and the trainer was a former special forces army guy. it was brutal! really fun tho.
I did a mud run years ago (back in the 90s) man are those fun! But, like you said, brutal! LOL I remember aching for over a week, but we trained for months before hand. Ah to be young again and full of mud! :)
This is an extensive list! :) My friend Nahid Sewell has a book that she released and did a big book tour for this year. She's Iranian and grew up in the time of the Shah. They left the country and came to American back in the 70s (I think). She wrote a novel around the turmoil of that time. It's really good. I knew her as a programmer and tech writer who wrote books on EDI. LOL So to read her fiction was really cool. The book is called "The Ruby Tear Catcher". If you'd like to check her out. :)
Thanks, Dave; I always need more good books to read!
thanks! got the kindle warming up!
Well, if it’s a book in India you’re looking for, I vote for Shantaram. And travel narratives: Troost is hilarious! start with Sex Lives of Cannibals. He has a new one I haven’t read yet but it’s on my list.
I have a hobby that I use to de-stress. Woodworking is my hobby and I find that taking out my frustrations on a defenseless piece of wood to be very calming plus there is the added bonus of having something you have made to give you some satisfaction of creating something.
I'm also a daily walker it has a calming effect and it helps to keep my weight in check. Just avoiding weight gain tales a lot of stress from my life.
I listen to Hawaiian slack key guitar music. My favorite is Kihoalu Inn by Paul Togioka. It always takes me to a better place.
I just recently started woodcarving again. I hadn't done it, in a very long time. My buddy Denis and I, used to belong to a woodcarvers club in Illinois. We'd make pieces and do the shows twice a year. He did abstract chainsaw carving and I would do small basswood carvings. He moved down to Kentucky 13 years ago and I got away from doing it. But I forgot how much peace and destressing it was for me. So I just started carving something a couple of weeks ago. When I finish it, I'll share a pic out here for you. :) Thanks for posting Gary! :)
Paul Togioka is awesome! :) I listen to a lot of Jake Shimabukuro on ukulele. The guy just takes me away from it all sometimes. I'm hoping that he comes through my area when he tours next because I so want to see him. I love the soundtrack for the movie "The Descendants" too. Has a few good slack key guitarists on it. Daniel Ho is another favorite. He's done some amazing covers of some great songs in his own style. But hey, if it puts you on a beach and de-stressing, then I'm all for it! I'm going to have to give Paul Togioka a try now. :)
Music is a great stress relief for me, walking, spending time with my kitties, shopping, doing photography. Before D I was doing ohms/deep breathing/meditation and I think I need to get back into that. Trying to be thankful for what I have for something each day. The days I teach can sometimes be stress relieving too when my students do nice work etc. I'm teaching drawing this semester and it is always nice to see the wonderful drawings they do and to see them learning and improving as frustrating as it can be at times to get them to do it. Last semester, one of my very talented students gave me one of his drawings as a gift which was so nice. Usually when I just chill at home doing various things this is the least stressful time for me. A glass of wine with dinner works wonders for me also.
Don't laugh - Hip Hop Abs. Okay, you can laugh, but it helps me destress and it totally has been working to strengthen my core.
Walking at least 30 min per day
Stretch every night before bed.
Sewing - no music tv or anyone talking to me. Helps me clear my mind.
Hiking - being out in nature away from technology and the chaos of the city.
I love Shaun T! I have been doing T25 for 10 weeks and it's great to party with him, Scott, Tanya and Derek and their other friends every morning. Starting every day with a huge burst of positive energy is awesome!!