Ruby in the Sky

It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is: everyone needs a break sometimes. The argument that you should’ve done it over the weekend doesn’t really stand, because why would you waste the precious time you have? On the weekend, I want to hang out with the people I don’t get to hang out with during the week and that means I have to sacrifice sleep more than catch up on it. Add in other activities such as sports or family visits and you get a jam-packed weekend with no down time.

By this I don’t mean to say that you’re boring if you’re not busy during the weekend – far from it, I also have months go by when I have nothing to do over the weekend and just sit in what my mom calls my “comma position” binge-watching series I’ve already seen before. Point is, the weekend shouldn’t be the sole time we are allowed to relax. You don’t need to clear out you whole agenda for the day or put everything on hold: just an hour of peace and quiet can make a world of a difference! Which is why today, I’m gonna share my favorite tips to unwind…

Hot something

I refuse to say tea or beverage here, because for me this can be anything, depending on my mood. Warm food or even a hot water bottle can be so soothing and instantly make me feel like I can just curl up and be a fetus again. Except they don’t really do tea. My favorite hot things are blankets and tea, at the moment my favorite would be Pukka’s vanilla chai – but that may be something completely different the next time you ask.

Literature

The best thing to accompany your hot something, I find, is a book. You don’t even have to read it yourself, an audiobook is fine as well – just as long as it doesn’t require any screens or loud noises. I love music and I love my laptop, but if you really want to upwind, you gotta unplug as well. Stories force you to focus on something that is not within your control and help you escape your own reality for a bit. What’s more soothing than that?

Power naps

This one is for the really desperate times where you should have gone to bad after movie #2. Don’t make your nap too long or it will turn into a sleep and instead of supercharge you make you more tired – but less tired when it’s your actual bedtime. I think about 30 minutes is best. I don’t do naps often, but there have been moments when it really would have been the better option – especially if you have demanding tasks ahead.

Cleaning

This one will be weird to a lot of people, but I think cleaning is one of the most relaxing things ever. Sure, you really have to push yourself to get started, but once you’re there, there is something to peaceful about repeating the same motions again and again and seeing the space transform before your eyes. Not to mention, the feeling of reward once you’re done is the best.

Get creative

If you have something that’s bothering you causing your need to de-stress, but you don’t have the patience to read, getting your creative juices flowing is another helpful tool. People often say that art is pain and artists always seem like tormented people – which is not always the case – but it is true that over time there have been many people who turned to art as a stress-relieve. You don’t have to force yourself to paint; if painting’s not your thing, it isn’t, and that’s okay. Knit, write, arrange flowers – anything that works for you is worth your time.

Walk it out

Sometimes all you need is a little love, trust and pixie dust. Or a good long walk in the crisp outside air. I like walks, some people are more into exercise to clear their heads. You can choose to walk around your own neighborhood or go someplace else, like a nearby lake or forest. This is something you will really feel for yourself and once again you shouldn’t force yourself to do something you don’t want to just because you think it’s what you’re supposed to do; this is your time and it’s up to you to spend it in the most relaxing way possible for you.

On that note I want to end it for today. Take an hour out if you feel like it’s all getting too much for a moment. I promise you you will feel so much better after and the energy you’ll have after will make the hour spent more than worth it.

What do you like to do to relax?

Love, Ruby