I haven’t seen anyone mention jigsaw puzzles yet. Working a puzzle is a great de-stressing activity for me at night. I get to impose order on my little square of the world.
9 Likes
Be outdoors - exercise, walks on the beach (even in winter), putz in the yard.
Meditate.
Cook.
4 Likes
Here’s my list:
- Exercise. Concentrating on healthy activities. As a retired person, two good walks/day with stretching and weight resistance work
- Cleaning/purging/organizing
- Mental puzzles and reading more books…less consumption of media
- Spend more time with friends and family who share my values
- Watch more PBS productions like Poirot and Father Brown
- Cook with health in mind and try to avoid stress eating
- Focus on gratitude
5 Likes
Get outside at least a bit, walk or garden
Clean – I have the cleanest closets in the US
Color – I use colored pencils
Piano – I try to practice instead of eat
Dance – only when nobody can see me!
Postcards – I mail postcards to a rotating bunch of people every week. Just “hi hello”, nothing fancy or long
7 Likes
I belong to a “Hygge” group on Facebook—everyone welcome! This morning I went to Home Depot for some extra Hygge. I bought this 4-foot lighted tree for the corner of my living room. I’m waiting until D24 comes back for Thanksgiving to put up the real tree, but this one makes me feel—to everything, turn, turn, turn—there is a season,
turn, turn, turn
5 Likes
I took up quilting during the pandemic. I find it both restful and creative.
Walking
Yoga
Reading
2 Likes
7 Likes
Today I participated in meal packing for RISE Against Hunger. We packed over 15,000 meals.
Lots of walks with Sabadog (short ones) and Sabapup (long).
Clearing out tons of stuff and taking it for donation.
Working in the yard.
I deactivated my Facebook. My stress went way down.
12 Likes
Outdoor exercise- tennis and paddle tennis- takes my mind off everything- movement plus fun socializing.
Listening to podcasts/music.
Staying in touch with my friends, so thankful I have them.
Try to remember each day what I’m grateful for.
4 Likes
When I was in grad school and very stressed, one of the best things I could do was take an hour and go run with my golden retriever. It was stressful to give up the “study time” but put me in a better frame of mind.
6 Likes
Yard work or house work gives me a sense of control and accomplishment when dealing with things I can’t control. When I was working and dealing with a very stressful situation (narcissistic supervisor) I would take a 15 minute break mid-morning and mid-afternoon and walk outside and mumble to myself imaginary conversations with said supervisor. That let me work out some emotions and then I could get back to work. I also sometimes write emails that I don’t send.
3 Likes
Yoga is and always has been my number one activity to relieve stress. Also walking in nature, near water. Singing in choir and playing in bell choir is a great stress reliever for me also (except when the music is challenging 
)
This week the things I have intentionally done:
- connecting with like-minded friends and family
- Multiple pickleball sessions (a regular activity but boy was it good to do a highly focused physical activity this week!)
- Stayed off Twitter. I haven’t deleted my account yet but I am avoiding it and all other news as well. And doing other unsubscribe purging.
- Drove to a lake for a walk with H.
- 4 mile walk along a creek trail with best friend
- Jigsaw puzzle with H
- Major closet clean-out today
- Rom-com tv (Nobody Wants This)
- Renewed commitment to healthy eating and strength training. I will NOT let the things I cannot control affect the things I can control! This is an area where I really slipped during the pandemic, so don’t want to make that mistake again!
I like the geocaching idea and also writing postcards to friends! Also love that @sabaray did a service project! I’m starting to think about what to do on MLK Day (coincides with the Inauguration.)
6 Likes
Not watch the news! Seriously, I just don’t/won’t watch for some time.
Nothing much new to add - my poor dog is going to get sick of walks, lots of walking. Sometimes a non-news podcast while walking. Music playlists that make me feel energized and probably some dancing with it. Yard work - work at my community garden/center.
Start threads here about butter. 
Seriously, CC non-political threads can really nourish my need for entertainment.
10 Likes
I’m a big walker. I think being outside is the best medicine.
I’m also a big believer in babying myself. It had a long night one night this week - and I spent the whole next day in my pajamas in bed and just wallowed for a bit. Felt my feelings. The next day I was ready to face the world again. I do that when I’m starting to get sick, too. I think day of forced rest is really good for you.
I like to journal, too. I write down my sad or angry thoughts and it’s easier to make sense of them.
Social media is the first thing to go when I’m stressed.
7 Likes
In addition to all of the above great strategies, I have been making an effort to be extra kind to people and to connect to them in a positive way. I feel like it has helped to remind me how much goodness there is in humanity.
16 Likes
Just posting that, @anotheroboemom, cheered me a bit this morning. Thank you. I’m going to try to be better at that, too.
7 Likes
I have never been one for journaling, but I did start one last week, with my granddaughter and any other future grandchildren in mind. I want her/them to know what I stood for and how and why I am devastated. And going forward I am using it as a tool to be mindful both of all I am grateful for and my renewed commitment to spreading joy and kindness and helping those who are struggling. It has been therapeutic to write in it each day.
9 Likes
Something I would like to try though I truly have little to no artistic talent (I know, I know, you’re not suppose to say that…)
Field Journaling
This women is quite talented and extensive. There is a beginners class I can take locally. So you can be MUCH more novice than she.
I was inspired when I went to my community garden and found a man sketching one of my zinnias in my garden. We had a nice conversation and he showed me his small sketch book and 
it was amazing and so so SO pulled me in! Turns out he is the instructor for the class I will take - hopefully after they holidays.
10 Likes
I thought I’d mention something I will consciously NOT do…retail therapy shopping/doom spending.
I think it’s a good thing to be aware of and if you’re concerned about the loved ones in your life, I’d talk about it. I am a little concerned about young people making poor financial decisions right now.
It will be interesting to watch retail sales figures as we head into the holidays.
5 Likes