Non-digital means of relaxation ?

[Lynnel]

How do you unwind, relax, and just chill out at the end of the day to relieve stress and to relieve your mind ?

I'm looking for things that are not digitaly related/nothing addictive => so no youtube/TV/games . Do not suggest weed. I'm already doing herbal teas.

Activities such as journaling actually don't count since you're gonna think about your whole life and do it too professionally.

I already know about :

• reading a nice book
• socializing with friends
• taking a bath
• etc.

What would be some very counter intuitive nice relaxion method ? Which wouldn't be costly (like getting a spa) and reliable ?

 

[Ether]

I dont usually feel relaxed. I just feel numb. But when i feel relaxed, oh boi

[starsofclay]

Have you ever tried yoga nidra? 

[Ayilton]

I suggest sitting and looking at the moon  ! Just observe   !  

it can be quite relaxing  ! 

Playing cards is fun also  , like UNO  ! 

My favorite is swimming  ! 

[Vipassana]

learn to play an instrument

[Soulbass]

Walking in nature.

Saying out every though that come to your mind, like a sort of dialogue with yourself (practicing no resistance to what though is coming in, speaking before thinking). This combines well with walking or sitting in nature.

Same with drawing, or writing (automatic drawing, or writing).

Lying in bed, focusing on physical sensations of the body and breath.

Stretching, or dance.

Wash the dishes in full awareness (slowly, paying attention in every sensations...) Your can do this too while going to work, or going back home.

When you are with friends, try not talking but 100% listening in total openness.

Playing an acoustic instrument, without theory or knowledge, just trying to figure out by yourself and experimenting.

Fantasizing about a fictional telepathic conversation with an animal that goes by, for example a squirrel (it's possible also with trees). Try to capture it's "vibe", purpose or emotions (without using words).

If you have a partner, look into her/his eyes for 10 minutes straight, with no talking.

Sing (spontaneously) find a root note that resonate with your body, and heal your body.

Sitting in the sun.

Letting the rain fall.

Note to myself : do things which are "useless" without thinking about productivity, efficiency or optimizing a planning.

Edited March 4, 2018 by Soulbass

[okulele]

@Soulbass Yes! I agree completely.  Just do some useless stuff. No need to plan ahead or choose a THING you will do in order to relax. Just let yourself relax in any spontaneous way you find relaxing in that particular moment. Just let loose a little and do what feels fun and pleasant.

[Staples]

meditating is pretty cool

[Nahm]

@Lynnel I exercise & meditate in the morning. I don’t have any stress from the day to let go of. No state to ‘unwind’ if you don’t get wound up. 

[Monkey-man]

Classical music, Mozart, Bach, Paganini, Rachmaninov were inspired from above

Opera, like Maria Callas and Pavarotti, can be very relaxing

Meditation, letting go desire and thoughts

Meditate while looking on tip of the nose

Prayer,full  surrender

Listening to prayers, Christian, Islamic, to Hindu or Buddhist mantras

Films by Tarkovskiy are meditative films, you don’t need to think at all to watch it. Actually It’s better not to think at all when u watch it

Films by Jim Jarmuch are meditative too and have anti-depressant effect

films by Woody Allen have relaxation effect through great humour

anime by Miyazaki have some divine sparkle and can be relaxing to watch

Listening to audiobooks or speeches by great teachers, with closed eyes

No-mind Reading holy scriptures, books by great teachers can have great effect

Looking at high-quality paintings in high quality museums, without mind and staring at one painting for long times and waiting for some aha moments, it’s kind of meditation

Sitting in mosque, church, temples. Such places have very good energetic field and highly relaxing

No-thoughts watching people’s activities in some calm places like parks

Washing plates can be highly relaxing

Sitting near trees, in mountains, watching rain, watching fire (candle)

Watching insects and animals

Massage, jacuzzi, spa (if nothing else helping lol)

 

 

[Ether]

@Nahm i meditate sometimes but i rarely feel relaxed! help?

[Psyche_92]

6 minutes ago, Ether said:

i meditate sometimes but i rarely feel relaxed! help?

Consistency is key. "sometimes" doesn't sound like a serious meditation habit. 

[Ether]

@Psyche_92 i let go of goals. did u know they actually create suffering if you think about them a certain way...?

[Vipassana]

@Ether Every time you think you got one up on your mind, your mind has one up on you. 

[Ether]

@Vipassana not always