Meditation!!! I recently only discovered meditation but since starting it I can’t see myself ever wanting to stop. I’ve learnt to let all of my stresses go and just be in the moment, breathing and visualising beautiful things. I use an app called Insight timer and honestly I feel so relaxed after meditating.
Fabulous video 🙂 and I absolutely agree downtime should be prepared for both the activity and length of time, a schedule have you will. Could I add two qualifications, all ‘tech’ must be switched off and you mustn’t lol sit in a chair and over think your problems for an hour, enjoy yourself. You missed one activity namely masturbation, I’m serious, Doctors tell us playing with ourselves is good for relaxation and importantly our mental health.
I unwind by journaling. Since I work four 10-hour days, I use my weekday off to take care of errands if I have any. Before, after, or instead of errands, I like to sit in a coffee shop for a while with a book or a laptop. Being anywhere by myself is relaxing!
Downtime is essential, and it’s a little hard to come by sometimes when you have two small children and a wife. I’m fortunate enough to be only working part-time now, so I get my downtime and relaxtion fix early in the day. Like you say, different people need different amount of downtime (or time alone). Even with my alone time during the day, I still need some at night. If I’m intentional and stick to a plan, I can make it happen, and everyone is happier because I’m happier. I have to be super attentive to my mood and thoughts, and if I need more time and space, I take it. Great video!
Yes! Really important to rest the mind for a little while each day. Our minds seem to appreciate non-digital relaxation in a different way from the stimulation of online games and chat. This is an important way to be kind to ourselves and to remind ourselves how valuable we are.
Having downtime allows us to recuperate from the day we had so this video is great as it teaches us that it’s ok to take stock and rest. If we don’t we will burnout and crash. It’s hard for people who aren’t used to this sort of thing at first but just think of it as being good to yourself and for your own wellbeing and health.
Good video. Self care is indeed very important. A recently new and favourite way for me to unwind is knitting. Which has sort of turned into my own form of meditation, I also enjoy reading as well or curling up be the fire with a warm blanket.
Oh, yes, the ritual of making tea and drinking it is an excellent downtime activity!
I tend to read or write, sometimes cross-stitch or paint… and cuddle my kitten. I do a lot of cuddling the kitten (well, cat, she’s 9 years old, but still). Listening to music – that’s relaxing, I find (I tend to enjoy the “softer” types of music – classical, folk, pop, easy listening). Music also tends to distract the part of my mind where my anxieties live, and helps ease hyper-focus.
Sometimes driving on the highway, if there’s not a lot of other cars around (Newfoundland is good for this, I wouldn’t consider it downtime if I still lived in Toronto!) – that’s a stim of mine, helps with the vestibular issues. Reading my own writing – even if I’m editing as I go along, that’s relaxing, and it’s usually done on hardcopy, so no electronics involved.
Walking, but only if the weather’s mild (I don’t really care for cold or hot weather – hot weather I’m allergic to, and cold weather hurts and when walking, you’re bundled up, and that gets me hot, which activates the allergies).
Chatting with friends, even if it’s using electronics. (Over the internet, not the phone – I’m not good on the phone.)
self-care is something i’ve recently started investing in as it’s important to care for yourselves/love yourselves on a regular basis- as someone who doesn’t do that, i found it impossible to start loving myself n caring for myself ….but after a while of telling myself each day that i deserve it and it’s important, i’ve finally gotten into the routine of doing it
Lyric Rivera, an Autistic self-advocate from Texas, runs the the internationally recognized neurodiversity lifestyle blog Neurodivergent Rebel.
Neurodivergent Rebel was opened in 2016, as a way to introduce people unfamiliar with autism to neurodiversity. The blog, which is sometimes released in written format and also via YouTube video, explores the ideology of neurodiversity and the creative expressions of autistic people. Riveras’ blog pushes for acceptance of neurological differences and respect for the autonomy of neurodivergent people.
Lyric is also known as the pioneer of the #AskingAutistics hashtag, which is often accompanied by a short question about everyday autistic experiences. This simple hashtag connects neurodiverse people who would not otherwise have a reason to engage with each other to foster understanding of the autistic experience.
View all posts by Lyric Holmans
Meditation!!! I recently only discovered meditation but since starting it I can’t see myself ever wanting to stop. I’ve learnt to let all of my stresses go and just be in the moment, breathing and visualising beautiful things. I use an app called Insight timer and honestly I feel so relaxed after meditating.
Fabulous video 🙂 and I absolutely agree downtime should be prepared for both the activity and length of time, a schedule have you will. Could I add two qualifications, all ‘tech’ must be switched off and you mustn’t lol sit in a chair and over think your problems for an hour, enjoy yourself. You missed one activity namely masturbation, I’m serious, Doctors tell us playing with ourselves is good for relaxation and importantly our mental health.
I unwind by journaling. Since I work four 10-hour days, I use my weekday off to take care of errands if I have any. Before, after, or instead of errands, I like to sit in a coffee shop for a while with a book or a laptop. Being anywhere by myself is relaxing!
Downtime is essential, and it’s a little hard to come by sometimes when you have two small children and a wife. I’m fortunate enough to be only working part-time now, so I get my downtime and relaxtion fix early in the day. Like you say, different people need different amount of downtime (or time alone). Even with my alone time during the day, I still need some at night. If I’m intentional and stick to a plan, I can make it happen, and everyone is happier because I’m happier. I have to be super attentive to my mood and thoughts, and if I need more time and space, I take it. Great video!
Great advice!! Tea and painting are how I relax daily. Pre-illness I walked on the beach regularly and that was amazing.💙
You have the kindest, most genuine face, girl! And a beautiful philosophy to match 😘💞
Thank you, very much!
You’re very welcome, Sister! 😘
Yes! Really important to rest the mind for a little while each day. Our minds seem to appreciate non-digital relaxation in a different way from the stimulation of online games and chat. This is an important way to be kind to ourselves and to remind ourselves how valuable we are.
This has got me thinking, and I don’t actually know how I relax…because society has stolen this from me over time, such a shame – must find new ways…
Having downtime allows us to recuperate from the day we had so this video is great as it teaches us that it’s ok to take stock and rest. If we don’t we will burnout and crash. It’s hard for people who aren’t used to this sort of thing at first but just think of it as being good to yourself and for your own wellbeing and health.
Good video. Self care is indeed very important. A recently new and favourite way for me to unwind is knitting. Which has sort of turned into my own form of meditation, I also enjoy reading as well or curling up be the fire with a warm blanket.
Oh, yes, the ritual of making tea and drinking it is an excellent downtime activity!
I tend to read or write, sometimes cross-stitch or paint… and cuddle my kitten. I do a lot of cuddling the kitten (well, cat, she’s 9 years old, but still). Listening to music – that’s relaxing, I find (I tend to enjoy the “softer” types of music – classical, folk, pop, easy listening). Music also tends to distract the part of my mind where my anxieties live, and helps ease hyper-focus.
Sometimes driving on the highway, if there’s not a lot of other cars around (Newfoundland is good for this, I wouldn’t consider it downtime if I still lived in Toronto!) – that’s a stim of mine, helps with the vestibular issues. Reading my own writing – even if I’m editing as I go along, that’s relaxing, and it’s usually done on hardcopy, so no electronics involved.
Walking, but only if the weather’s mild (I don’t really care for cold or hot weather – hot weather I’m allergic to, and cold weather hurts and when walking, you’re bundled up, and that gets me hot, which activates the allergies).
Chatting with friends, even if it’s using electronics. (Over the internet, not the phone – I’m not good on the phone.)
self-care is something i’ve recently started investing in as it’s important to care for yourselves/love yourselves on a regular basis- as someone who doesn’t do that, i found it impossible to start loving myself n caring for myself ….but after a while of telling myself each day that i deserve it and it’s important, i’ve finally gotten into the routine of doing it
i need this thanks x
YES!!! love this post.. i recently blogged about self care as well, check it out https://messagesofmeaning.wordpress.com/2018/01/09/message-13/