Some days I feel like a mess that needed to be undone. With the myriad of activities in our to-do lists piling up as profusely as the number of dishes in my kitchen sink, a brief pause is due. Stress will run us down in this fast paced world.
Day 12 of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge by @tegoshei is about what we do to recharge.
As a rehabilitating workaholic, I learned it the hard way. My younger self was guilty of not being able to say no and as a result, I once had 25 projects to run under my radar.
The Burnout
No time management skill could have nailed this. The inevitable burnout caught up to me. I began to understand my limits when everything came crashing down. I finally saw that I was human after all. To release the stress and rapid heart palpitations, the only activity I had time for was to park the car at the side of the road, in the middle of the desert, to scream my heart out.
Never again.
Recharging our batteries is beneficial to our mental health and well being. I used to splurge on massages, an expensive way of unwinding but there are other simple ways to relax for free.
Gardening is Not Only for the Green Thumb
When I post photos of my tomato seedlings on social media, this comment always pops up,
"Good for you, you have a green thumb."
There's no such thing as a green thumb.There are no hidden talents in gardening. Whoever invented the myth was looking for an excuse to avoid the task. Anyone can grow plants. Gardening has long term health benefits. Spending time with plants, touching them, nurturing them all have mood boosting benefits. Growing our own food provides a wonderful sense of accomplishment while eating healthier.
Personally, my plants are my babies. It gives me joy to water them and watch them sprout and thrive.
Forest Bathing
In the post I have written about Forest Bathing in the Redwoods of Rotorua, I mentioned the benefits of slow paced walk in nature.
"In Japan, we practice something called forest bathing or shinrin-yoku. Shinrin in Japanese means forest, and yoku means bath. So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses." - Dr. Qing Li - Author of the book Forest Bathing How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness
The healing power of trees. Forest bathing can reduce stress, uplift one's moods, strengthen the immune system, improve concentration and creativity.
Following a trail in the woods always cheers me up.
Watching a Feel Good Movie or Series
Laughter therapy. Anything that could induce laughter This is why I got hooked on feel good Korean Drama. The stories are light with exaggerated scenes that trigger laughter. I have heard about Laughter Yoga (but haven't tried it yet) where one can voluntarily prolong laughter.
Outdoor Yoga and Qigong
Speaking of yoga, this has both physical and physiological benefits. Before the pandemic, we had weekly sessions of outdoor yoga at Archery Asia taught by Marina @nerdiyogi. We also had candle lit sunset yoga classes by the beach for relaxing vinyasa flows while listening to the waves.
During the pandemic lockdown, I followed the free 30-Day Do You Yoga Challenge. It was do-able for beginners and sustainable because each session lasted only for 10-15 minutes.
A few days ago, @millycf1976 introduced me to Qigong. It's a combination of breathing, meditation, body posture and slow movement. We started doing it via zoom but due to the poor internet connection in our area, we ended up continuing it outdoors here at home. It looked simple but don't be fooled. Aches and pains in areas I didn't know existed in my body came up the next day.
Meditation
Ohmmmm Breathe. A quiet mind will allow us to hear our intuition speak. There are different kinds of meditation. I started the practice during my last year in college that later continued to accompany me in my professional life. It helped me manage the stress behind demanding deadlines. It allowed me to let go and be more soul conscious. Forgetting to meditate leads to burnout and getting too attached to situations. Since then, meditation became a big part of my life. I wouldn't have overcome difficult obstacles without it.
Playing Music
I may not own a karaoke set at home but being able to play music relieves stress. Music balances both the left and right hemisphere of the brain. Reading musical notes, ear-learning, passive and active listening while throwing singing into the mix engage different sides of the brain, thus equalizing them.
Listening to music while taking a shower or plainly lying down in bed is soothing as well.
Stroking Your Pet
As a cat person, coming home from work, sinking in the lounge chair while cuddling our feline immediately slows down my heart rate. Hearing the purrrs stirs up a healthy dose of happiness and satisfaction.
My husband @iamyohann is allergic to cats and our nomadic life doesn't support a new feline commitment. There's a stray cat that started lingering at home recently. I am partly hoping he stays for good.
Entertaining at Home
I enjoy inviting my closest friends over for a home cooked meal. An intimate evening with not more than 6 adults (including ourselves). Anything beyond 8 guests become nerve wrecking.
This was an activity I used to regularly indulge in while living overseas. Regularly meant almost on a bi-monthly basis for no reason. We changed venues. Each friend hosted it in their home and the location was in rotation. There was always a theme and a dish was prepared per household. A lovely time is guaranteed hanging out with best friends at home.
Before the pandemic, I threw a few dinners at our place. As always, my perfectionist side would get stressed a few hours before guests arrive but as soon as we are all seated, everything melts away and we are all engrossed in conversations and laughter.
Sunset Drinks at the Bar
One of the perks of living in Moalboal, Cebu is the revival of our social life. Before covid happened, Yohann and I frequently hung out at the bar of Cebu Dive Center in Panagsama Beach. A cold beer in hand, we watched the sunset where we met up with @scubahead , @biggypauls and the happy divers and staff of CDC.
I will end this post with a quote:
"When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing - just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blowing the tree limbs, or waves rippling on a pond, a flickering candle or children playing in the park?" - Ralph Marston
How do you relax and unwind?
Thank you for reading. Check out previous posts if you haven't read them yet and please join us in the 30 Day Blogging Challenge by @tegoshei:
Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11