I’m Lauren (most people call me Loz or Lauzzar) I’m part of COps team here at Monzo!
I’m basically the person that you get on the other end of the phone or replying weirdly to your tweets (mostly asking you what you had for lunch)
The last couple of weeks, I’ve been a busy bee here at Monzo. I’ve also been non-stop with seeing mates, making time for boyf, trips away and making sure that try to hit that treadmill too. Yesterday, I sat down and thought I need a me-day. After I spent couple of hours playing Sims, binge watching some Marvel films before End Game comes out and didn’t have to entertain people, I felt completely relaxed and happy!
I don’t think I noticed that I was sad or even feeling tired at all, but the moment when I sat down, did something for myself and just relaxed, I felt like the world was lifted over my shoulders (or whatever the term is).
So the whole point of my endless monologue is to remind my fellow friends of the forum or us even helping each other to learn how to relax and making time for ourselves (as it is challenge). Even if it’s an hour a week or a day a week, we need to learn to just shut down and just forget about everything. In the long-run it’ll make us happy people
My question for you all is: How do you relax and do you have any tips to help other people relax?
Good sleep is crucial to my relaxation and overall mood! I love tuning out with a sleep mask listening to white noise before bed (I love Noisli for this). If I don’t get enough sleep I am cranky as hell.
Decreasing my screen time is also helpful, but like @Tunny I love video games! Currently playing through Divinity II on the Xbox One.
That’s what I need… but I’m just overly competitve and enjoy social gaming too much. It’s really hard for me to get into a good story driven game but so easy for me to hop online and get into a quick competitve game.
I would say Story Based games is a good route to take as well so I’m with you on that Brenda it relieves a lot for frustration compared to online gaming.
For me, for genuine relaxation, it’s got to be a really naf film that I don’t really have to pay attention to, but can follow loosely enough (rom-coms tend to do the trick)
Sleep…so so important. A good nights sleep is so relaxing.
I actually find that mindfulness works for me. I know it doesn’t for everyone but sitting down somewhere where I know I won’t be disturbed and closing my eyes for 5-10 minutes really helps.
A good paper book as well. Not a kindle but a book that I am physically holding. Can’t beat a good book.
I really enjoy building nanoblocks for a bit of relaxation! They’re like teeny tiny Legos if you’ve never come across them. I find zoning out and building those tiny blocks really satisfying.
Edit: Here’s one I built today. It’s the Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine in Japan
I generally use video games, or films/tv shows to relax. I find a short (between 5 and 15 minute) guided meditation each evening also helps and occasionally, if I’m particularly restless, a nice cup of chamomile tea
Reading, podcasts, roller skating, feel good TV, hot bath, solo dance party, yoga, open access study course, online window shopping, fun car adventure with snacks and good tunes.
and works for me so I’ve stuck with that for a while now.
but who am I to say!
and occasionally, if I’m particularly restless, a nice cup of chamomile tea 