How to relax and unwind when you can’t relax and unwind

If you know me at alllllll by now, you’ll know I don’t relax. Ever. I just find it so incredibly difficult and I have this incessant need to be constantly productive, 24/7. I love how I’m able to get so much done. I love that I’m a goal orientated person. I love that I can get through my daily to-do lists and go to bed knowing I’ve physically done everything I could have possibly done that day. My organisational skills and my Type A personality is one of the only things I actually like about myself so I’m not going to go and start putting myself down for it! But…. I know that it can get unhealthy. We all need down-time. Every single one of us. 

However, it’s all very well and good everyone harping on about down-time and how crucial it is but we’re all wired very differently and we have to take that into account. Whilst some people reading this might think, “Jesus Christ Jenny, that’s sooooo unhealthy!” others will find something relatable in what I’m saying. Over the last few years, I’ve had to adapt my down-time to suit me and the way I’m wired. So for anyone who finds it incredibly difficult to wind down or get out of work / blogging mode, this one’s for you!

Have a bath and read a book whilst you’re in there

Obviously we all need to wash (duh) so I’ve started taking long ass baths and killing two – no THREE – birds with one stone. I can get clean, relax in the warm water and the bubbles and get a good chunk of my book read too. A productive bath. Next.

Practice yoga 

We all know I love yoga. Love, love, love it. And it’s the only exercise I do where I don’t feel like it’s a waste of time and I’m eager for it to end so I can get back to work. Yoga is so beneficial to me; both physically and mentally. It can even set you up to have a more productive day if you do it in the morning!

Watch a documentary

I can’t for the life of me sit there and watch a film by myself. If my boyfriend is home or off work then sure, we’ll get through a few movies. But when I’m on my own? No chance. Not when I could be doing something more productive instead. But even I know when I need a break and I find watching an informative documentary a really worthwhile way to do that. I love learning something new. I wrote a blog post last month about some Stacey Dooley documentaries which are well worth watching – so start with those!

Sort out your room or space

Whatever needs tidying the most! I find tidying, cleaning and sorting things out sooooo relaxing and therapeutic. You can bet your bottom dollar that if I’ve spent the day de-cluttering my room then I’m going to be in a good mood! If that’s something you enjoy doing, then use it as your down time! Don’t over cook it and wear yourself out. Take breaks. Stick your music on and you’ve got a relaxing but productive day.

Bake something

Baking or cooking things is a funny one for me because although it’s like, necessary sometimes so y’all need to eat, I still find it a productive activity to do – especially if I’m trying something new and learning something from it! I think a lot of people will agree that cooking or baking can be really relaxing so when I know I need to just chill the f*** out but don’t want to, I’ll probably bake something!

Write something

Writing is amazing because it’s so versatile. Depending on how you’re feeling, write a blog post, a short story, a poem, a list, your feelings – anything! There’s always some benefit in writing things down so I find this a really relaxing but worthwhile exercise. Which is probably why my blog is scheduled so far in advance! (I’m writing this post in February…)

Where do you stand on this? Are you like me and find it difficult to wind down? Or are you the opposite and find it harder to get going? What do you do to tackle it? Let me know!