This is sort of off topic, but I am looking for calorie free ways to relax. I'm sort of a type A/high strung person and REALLY need to reign in my stress.
My usual way to chill out involves eating of course! Treating myself to take out or pizza and probably a glass of wine, and maybe a movie/book or just surfing the net for the night (with or without my fiancee and some friends). I also used to love to cook/bake, but lately it just stresses me to think of the calories in whatever I am making.
So, I am looking for new ways that don't involve food...I found a Korean Bathouse in my area which is a great way to unwind for the day. It has lots of saunas/whirpools to lounge around in, plus you can get massages/scrubs.
I've tried the mani/pedi thing, and while I love the results I sort of feel like it's more torture than relaxation.
I know everyone says relaxation comes from exercise, I don't know, I don't feel it. While I enjoy it, I don't always feel relaxed from it exactly.
So feathers, do you all head off to the spa for some organized relaxation? Or what do you guys do to chill out and treat yourselves?
Knitting is a great way for me to veg out in front of the TV or while listening to music without the things I used to associate with those activities (eating, and a long time ago chainsmoking rank menthol cigarettes before I quit smoking). It keeps your hands and mind busy and then before you know it you also have a fun new accessory for yourself! ;D They call knitting "yarn yoga" sometimes because it can be extremely relaxing.
Also, not all forms of exercise are relaxing for all types of people. I find yoga very relaxing but not pilates, and yet they're almost the same thing. I find jogging ridiculously relaxing but weight lifting makes me all hyped up and step aerobics just makes me feel stressed out and uncoordinated. It's kind of trial and error to find the workouts that a) you stick with, click with, and just plain like and b) that are also relaxing. Oh, and finally, there are many definitions of "relaxing." I have a friend who's really into going all crazy on the heavy punching bag in her garage. It gets rid of a lot of stress for her, and so afterward she's super relaxed. Me, I would find that kind of workout just got me all riled up and not relaxed afterward at all.
Was just thinking this myself. Pedicures. Or Hot tubbing at the gym rather than worrying about a workout. It's a gorgeous day here, so going outside and reading a book in the sun. In winter, I find that sunny patch of carpet and set up there.
When I bake, I take most of the food in to my work. Find some ravenous cops or firefighters to foist your baked goods upon, and save only a couple for yourself. The cute boys are happy and you got to relax by baking.
I'm terrible at it, but yoga relaxes me. It doesn't relax you?
Specifically, I do bridge poses so all the blood rushes into my head and I feel unbalanced for a moment and I need to focus so much on holding the pose that I forget to be stressed out. Running also works on the same principle.
Other possibilities: solving puzzles (Sudoku, etc), watching comedy skits on YouTube, reading/contemplating poetry.
I agree on the bath thing. We had one of our bathrooms re-done recently and it is GORGEOUS - very spa-like. I light some candles and bring in one glass of wine and a book.
I'm trying not to eat at night, so I'm trying to head upstairs as early as possible because if I'm away from the kitchen I usually won't eat. It's been good for my diet but it also means I get no cleaning done during the week!
And my absolute favorite way to relax is to curl up in bed with my son and read! I'm usually so sleepy when we're done that I'm ready for bed. We're on the 4th Harry Potter book now :-)
I feel mentally relaxed when I run, but it certainly doesn't fit the typical description of "relaxing" to be sweating and breathing hard outside.
If you have the means, taking a really long bath is wonderful. Bring in some music and just lay there and refill the tub a bunch of times and waste lots of water.
I like to plan fantasy vacations and look up airfares and read about luxury hotels and restaurants, but sometimes the feeling of "dammit I wish I could afford that - well hmm what if..." turns into stress.
I am quite bad at relaxing solo so I'm really enjoying reading the advice on this thread too.
I feel relaxed when I got for a walk outdoors. I can't relax when I walk on the treadmill, but I can completely unwind and destress by walking 3-4 miles outdoor.
Non-excercisewise, my husband and I unwind by sharing a pot of coffee or a bottle of wine and just talk about our day, work, future plans, family, etc.
being on this site relaxes me. helping people. asking questions. i'm really on here too much.
high intensity cardio (i enjoy that kinda thing) or other exercise that you enjoy. i hate yoga, so far, but it can be as slow or intense as you like. more specifically i love the feeling AFTER the intense cardio. doing HiiT for example. it takes like 20 min or less, but by the time it's over i just want to lay there.
i second the baths. or a shower with a massaging shower head.
reading a fantasy or other type of book you enjoy.
I'm terrible at it, but yoga relaxes me. It doesn't relax you?
Specifically, I do bridge poses so all the blood rushes into my head and I feel unbalanced for a moment and I need to focus so much on holding the pose that I forget to be stressed out. Running also works on the same principle.
Other possibilities: solving puzzles (Sudoku, etc), watching comedy skits on YouTube, reading/contemplating poetry.
When I practice at home yoga does relax me. I do bridge occasionally but I get that feeling you are describing from sirsasana (headstand pose). It is relaxing.
I've been regularly attending yoga classes twice a week since 2007, and lately it has just become another stressor for me. I never realized just how much TIME a yoga class takes out of your day. It's essentially an entire evening for me to attend a 90 minute class that's a 5-10 minute drive away. I get home from work at 6 and have to leave my house at 6:50 to get to the studio and set up to begin class at 7:15. Class goes until 8:45, then you put all the props away, walk out to car and drive home and before you know it it's a bit after 9, I need to shower and the whole evening is over!
Running feels good when i am doing it, but unless I really wear myself out I am not exactly relaxed after but more invigorated.
Love the puzzles...I had a serious addiction to sudoku for awhile.
I don't take nearly enough baths, those definitely relax me!
Jessless - I used to be a Lush addict and haven't purchased their stuff in awhile, I will have to head over to the Lush store on my lunch hour and stock up!!
Natamars - Reading to your son sounds sooo awesome! And I am jealous of your spa like bathroom! Someday I hope to have that too!
Krampus - I waste water like crazy when I take a bath. I figure I live a green lifestyle being vegetarian and taking public transport so I can splurge by wasting water. I am so awful, I leave the water running the entire time I am in the rub to keep it hot! Ha, luckily, our overflow thingy works, so when the water gets to high it just goes into that drain. And yeah...we don't pay for water in our building and since we share the building with others the hot water tank is huge and never runs out.
Fromthebox - I live near a firestation and have seriously thought of bringing baked goods over to them. I have a friend who does it with his family around Christmas and they always are so grateful for the treats.
Kat999 - so true about relaxation being different for all. I guess for me I need to stop thinking and turn my brain off. I love being around people - it really energizes me - but to relax I need to do something quiet or just with my fiance.
Maenad - Yes, this is me! I sit down and go online and I really guilty like i should be doing something like cleaning the messy room I am sitting in. Arggh, I hate that feeling!
Nina - Those things sound right up my alley...love sharing a bottle of wine with my fiance and talking and laughing. I also find walking/hiking really relaxing, just hard when it's so cold here right now!
Katytrail - same here, I love being online and reading this site. I feel like I am so addicted to it! Ha!
What do you do to Relax?
I'm sort of a type A/high strung person and REALLY need to reign in my stress. 
