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Nature
Nothing is as relaxing and invigorating for me as a walk in the sunshine in nature. Unfortunately, I don’t get around to it regularly. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that where I live the sun only shines on about 80 days a year, another 80 days it is dry but mostly cloudy and the remaining 200 days a year it rains or snows, the latter I personally would not classify as recovery potential. The sunny days are concentrated on about three months, from mid-June to mid-September. The remaining 9 months the sun rarely shines. It is also often very windy and on average only 13 degrees Celsius. Not necessarily the climatic conditions under which I feel really comfortable. Which is why I’ve been dreaming of moving to a region with a warmer climate for a long time.
Wanderlust
I don’t go on vacation very often. Basically, never. That’s why I often think about alternative forms of recreation. On the one hand, this is the case for me, because I have never reached a point where I had the feeling that I could not or did not want to work for a few weeks and because I find traveling itself unpleasant. Not that I wouldn’t like to visit new places or countries. But wanting to see as much as possible in a week or two is stressful for me. However, I could never just lie on a beach or pool. Hours of train rides, car rides or air travel, especially with small children, are also quite stressful for me.
Theoretically, I would need another vacation afterwards just to recover from the return trip. I also don’t find the concept of traveling once or twice a year for 2 weeks to soak up the sun and the rest of the time eagerly waiting for the next vacation particularly appealing. Personally, I would much rather live mainly, at least for some time, where I find it beautiful and feel comfortable. The weather and the environment play an immense role for me.
The reality
As nice as it is to imagine living in an exotic or at least Mediterranean place, where the sun is almost always shining and you have the time to enjoy nature for hours, the reality is probably very different for most of us. I sometimes wonder if others feel the same way as I do. Whether they find the traffic noise that enters through the open window just as unbearable. Whether they find the city smells, a conglomerate of exhaust fumes, garbage, various kitchen smells, cigarette smoke and various cosmetics, as repulsive. Unfortunately, I am really sensitive when it comes to such factors. But although I have already moved from a city of millions to a city with “only” a few thousand inhabitants, the difference was not particularly big.
The air is still rather bad, the traffic is just as loud, the construction sites seem to never want to end and the neighbors are too close and always especially noisy when you want the most peace and quiet.
All sources of stress for me. But sometimes, unfortunately, you can’t choose it. Sometimes it’s the job that keeps you tied to one place or studying at the local university. Maybe you don’t want to leave behind the family that doesn’t want to leave. Or you simply don’t have the necessary change for a move. All understandable reasons. This makes it all the more important to have at least short “vacations” from such an environment.
Here are my 7 tips for relaxation in everyday life:
7 tips for relaxation in everyday life
Tip 1. Walk / Running meditation
If I can, I like to go for a walk first thing in the morning, right after getting up. I once had a dog with whom this was a necessary task, but even after he was gone, I kept this habit, at least partially. Even in the late evening, before I go to sleep, I try to go for a walk again. These are times when there is less going on in the city. I find these walks relaxing. You get a clear head. Furthermore, this is even a meditation method from Buddhism. In a so-called running meditation, you train your mindfulness and reduce stress. Just 20 minutes have a positive effect on the organism.
Tip 2. A walking tour
A hiking tour on a day off, in the nearest nature reserve. There are even studies on how the color green, which dominates us in nature, can lift our mood and reduce stress hormones. A hiking tour through the green nature can therefore be a way of recreation.
Tip 3. A canoe trip
What could be more relaxing than letting yourself drift with the current. Down a small river. When the sun is shining. The leaves of the trees standing on the shore rustle in the wind. Birds are chirping. In Germany, there are probably providers on every river who rent canoes.
Tip 4. A day at the lake / sea
In the summer months, I regularly take a day off during the week to go to a lake in the morning. If it’s still quiet and empty there because everyone else is working or at school. Unfortunately, there is no sea near me, but for those for whom the latter is an option, you will probably prefer the sea. A single day like this can be more relaxing than a multi-day holiday trip, I think. Simply because there is no need for a lot of planning . No packing your suitcase, no long journey to and from the airport. Just a day at the lake or sea.
Tip 5. A day at the spa
There are special thermal baths that even offer saltwater baths . Even with a day in such a spa, I would prefer to take a weekday off in order to have as little public traffic as possible on site. Many thermal baths also have a spa where you can book massages or cosmetic treatments.
Tip 6. A visit to the spa
Most good hotels nowadays have a spa area. You can also buy a day pass for such spas or book treatments without being a guest in the hotel. Or alternatively, book an appointment with a beautician.
Tip 7. Taking a hobby day
Anyone who works a lot and then also has family obligations probably knows this. You let your hobbies slip until you hardly get around to it or finally give them up altogether. Why not take a day off to consciously spend it only with things you enjoy? I sometimes schedule a hobby day where I really only do things that I never get to do otherwise. As an adult, you probably don’t really have fun on very few days, unless you have turned your passion into a profession.
Conclusion
I think, especially in the daily grind, we often forget how important relaxation is. How necessary it is for your well-being to do something good for yourself. Some may be able to do this on the weekends, but if you work full time during the week and also have children, you will probably spend a large part of the weekends on housework etc. have to use. And with the kids, if we’re honest, you don’t really have any relaxation in most cases. I still remember how my parents dreamed for years of finally being retired at some point, so that they could then spontaneously do all such leisure activities every day. How sad it is that we can all only dream our entire lives of being free at some point and being able to put the usual stress of everyday work behind us. I try not to forget this and regularly have at least one day as if I were already retired. ^^
How often do you need a rest day or vacation? Do you prefer to have just one relaxing day off or do you prefer to save your vacation days and then take 3-4 weeks at a time? What are your tips for more relaxation in everyday life? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
I wish you a relaxing weekend.
All the love
Christina
“Thoughts, like children and dogs, often want you to take them for a walk in the open air.”
Christian Morgenstern
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About the author
Christina Ernst is founder and CEO of Linen & Quince. She is also a designer, author and real estate expert. She shares her experiences and knowledge not only on our Linen & Quince blog, but also on her personal blog, christinaernst.net , where she writes about financial knowledge, starting a business, real estate knowledge and personal development. She loves interior design, art, antiques, as well as elegant, sustainable and high-quality fashion.
