difficulty relaxing/releasing stress - what can i do?

[Princess Arabia]

2 minutes ago, Judy2 said:

@Princess Arabia 

i think the part where i'm supposed to do things for their own sake did the trick:) cause then there's nothing left to worry about, at least in that moment. 

Whatever works. 

[Chadders]

@Judy2 One incredible way to release tension in the body is to go for a wild swim. If you have a local lake nearby and the water is clean take a dip

Aside from that specific example, shaking the body to get the tension out. Sitting out in nature mindfully is another

[Judy2]

@Chaddersnoted:) thank you!

[Carl-Richard]

I decided to do my N-Back training today outside during the sunset, and between my sets (where I have my 10-20 second breaks), I watched the sunset. Then after a while, I almost couldn't stop looking at the sunset, but I decided to use it as a carrot at the end of my sets and intentionally not look for the 2 or so minutes that each set lasts (and it actually increased my performance by a lot).

And from one set to the next, the sunset looked a little different. The way the light filled the porch, the way the clouds had slightly moved and changed color, was a different experience each time. And then at the end of the exercise, I ended up finally just staring at the sunset for longer, now a while after the sun had passed the horizon. The increased focus from the N-Back training, now being directed effortlessly towards the sunset, left me with a sense of awe and peace. I then looked at some small birds flying quickly through the air; their movement was so smooth, their little bodies were so clear.

I then noticed some other kinds of clouds that were forming slightly outside my field of view, so I walked a bit out on the porch to see more of them. Thunderstorm clouds were forming in the distance, and the grey color was intermixed with the yellow light from the sunset, creating a beautiful scene.

Throughout this training session and while watching the sunset, I got the idea that specific aesthetic moods can feed your soul on the same level as a nutrient, and that the mental stability and vitality it brings is like fitting a key into a lock. So maybe watching the sunset, not necessarily while doing absolutely nothing, but inbetween doing something else, maybe reading something, could be something to try.

Edited Thursday at 01:49 AM by Carl-Richard

[Ulax]

@Judy2
Try this:

Put a chair on your bed. (Can also do this on the floor).

Lie down and put your feet on the seat of the chair.

I tried all sorts of random techniques for years to relax and this did more for me in 20 seconds than any of that other stuff. Kinda pissed me off actually lol

Edited Thursday at 05:47 PM by Ulax

[Judy2]

@Carl-Richard thank you for sharing 🙏

17 hours ago, Carl-Richard said:

Throughout this training session and while watching the sunset, I got the idea that specific aesthetic moods can feed your soul on the same level as a nutrient, and that the mental stability and vitality it brings is like fitting a key into a lock. So maybe watching the sunset, not necessarily while doing absolutely nothing, but inbetween doing something else, maybe reading something, could be something to try.

yes, i've noticed that, too. 

that's why i like doing my embroidery work. it sort of combines this very meditative, repetitive, yet light manual labour with the side-effect that you get to see something beautiful unfold right in front of you. it's very calming on the nerves.