How do you relax at home? Do you cook, watch a film, do something crafty?
I’m feeling a bit worn out lately, ready for a few days away to clear my mind and replenish those energy stores running low. Until my next vacation however I have to rely on my tried and true best ways to relax at home.
I’m an introvert in the sense that I need to spend at least a couple of hours a day quietly by myself. I have a job where I am around a lot of people all day which I absolutely love but it is also draining and by the time I get home I usually crave some alone time.
I want to share my top three favorite ways to relax at home with you.
Make something
Sitting down comfortably (that involves at least two woolen blankets for me) and creating is a great way to let go of all those thoughts swirling around and making you dizzy and antsy. I have tried meditation without success but when I knit or sew I am in the moment and just concentrate on being present and enjoying the rhythm. I often find myself taking the first really deep breath of the day then, slowing down and letting go of pressures and responsibilities.
I have just started knitting my second cardigan (this one) and feel a real physical urge to sit down and knit all the time. I figure it’s a healthier addiction than coffee or cigarettes 😉
Read a book
Escaping to a different world from the safety of my couch (can you tell how much I love my couch and those woolen blankets?) is something I look forward to every day. I couldn’t not read. Sometimes it’s blogs, sometimes it’s a simple tale for a few days (love the ‘Daisy Dalrymple‘ series) and sometimes it’s sagas that stay with me for months (hello Game of Thrones). I need my stories.
I just got the prettiest german book in the mail last week from Midsommarflicka. I won a giveaway on her blog and loved receiving this gorgeous ‘Urban Vintage‘ design guide. It’s like Pinterest in book form!
Give the cats a cuddle
Granted this works best when you actually have a cat on hand but it also works with dogs, hamsters and any furry, warm creature in your home.
There is nothing to make you forget the outside world like a sleepy cat, snuggled up close to you and warming your legs, purring and snoring without a care in the world. Animals live in the moment completely. I know some people can’t relate to that but my home would not feel the same without these softfooted graceful beings.
So, how do you relax at home?
Ich wünsche Dir gute Erholung!
Das sind klasse Tipps, die Du hier teilst. Die Kuscheldecke und ein paar gemütliche Kissen sind für mich ebenfalls essenziell…
(Übrigens habe ich mir gerade süße Patchwork-Kissenhüllen selbst genäht – jawohl, ich kann jetzt nähen! Naja, ein bisschen jedenfalls…)
Kreativ sein funktioniert auch immer toll – zwar ist Stricken nicht so meins, aber es gibt ja sooo vieles, was man machen kann. Gerade habe ich zum Beispiel wieder angefangen, Mandalas zu malen.
Außerdem sitze ich manchmal auch einfach gerne in der Stille. Nicht als Meditation, sondern einfach nur, um mal Ruhe zu haben. Oder ich höre schöne Musik.
Dass Haustiere wunderbare Begleiter sind, da stimme ich Dir absolut zu, auch wenn ich selbst keine habe (kleine Wohnung und Allergierisiko). 🙂
Einen schönen Tag und viel Entspannung!
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Glückwunsch zu den Kissen! Ganz in Ruhe und bewusst Musik hören finde ich auch ganz toll!
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I’ll have to give the Daisy Dalrymple series a go. I love mystery stories and the 1920’s!
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Do, it’s a lovely read! Light mystery stories with a bit of fashion and love story in between 🙂
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Definitely all of the above!
I sometimes find the process of making soup or curry really relaxing – something about the slowness of the cooking and the methodical vege chopping.
But there’s nothing better than some woolen blankets, an addictive TV show, some knitting and a cuddly cat!
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I wish I found cooking relaxing! For me it always feels like a chore, but the way you describe it sounds really nice 🙂
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I agree, having a bit of alone time and doing something crafty (photographing, knitting, drawing, sewing…) works best for me too after a busy day at work where there are a lot of people and alarms round me 🙂 I do miss my cat, though. I left her at my parents house when I moved into apartments + since 2008 I’m allergic to cats :-(. She loves being outdoors and I couldn’t bear taking that away from her if I took her with me to an apartment
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Sorry to hear you had to leave her behind and got allergic! I do agree though, you shouldn’t force outdoor cats to live inside. Mine have always been indoor cats and don’t miss anything.
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I tried meditation too, but found that I need to crochet to reach that zen state I am looking for, and of course if there is a cat or two involved that’s ideal!
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Yes to that! We all have to find our own way to meditation it seems.
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Chickens are good for cuddle time too! Lately I’ve been coming home from work and eating dinner on the back deck, and they always put on a good show.
Love that cardigan pattern! Can’t wait to see your progress with it.
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I bet they are! I’m loving the cardigan pattern so far, so I’m hoping to finish it within a month or so 🙂
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On weekends I like to make a big pot of soup with a glass of red wine in easy reach on the kitchen counter.
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That sounds so nice and comfortable!
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What a wonderful post, Kristina! My ways to relax are the same, actually the first too, but you remind me that I need to get myself a cat to cuddle!
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Oh yes, do! Cats are just wonderful. Do you knit too?
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Perhaps it’s a form of non-relax, but I prefer to dive into chores when I get home. Laundry is my household specialty (my partner handles the cooking), I’m usually to be founding loading or hauling. Staying busy, but not too busy, is a good transition for me. I used to try to prevent this behavior, thinking it too much a continuation of the day, but I crave it!
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I do believe it is a form of relaxation to do something methodically that you don’t have to think about too much! Sort of like knitting for me – it’s the rhythm of it that relaxes me. And hey, you’re also never behind on chores then 🙂
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Well, it’s impossible not to behind on chores, I think! :^D
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Beautiful post Kristina. I’m with you one needs some time to relax and unwind. I really enjoy knitting and sewing to relax and gardening is a a great escape from the routine. I don’t have cats (trying to convince my husband) but giving cuddles to my two little dogs is very relaxing as well.
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Thanks Martha! Oh yes, gardening is a great way to unwind as well 🙂
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Ein wunderbarer Artikel … und ebenso wunderbare Fotos, so schön! ❤
Und vielen Dank für die Links 🙂
Lieben Gruß, Midsommarflicka
(PS: Magst du meinen Namen noch durch das Pseudonym ersetzen? Merci!)
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Danke und gern geschehen! Ist geändert 😉
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