How do you relax? A long bath with good book? A glass of wine? Netflix and chocolate? Running or Zumba? Since having kids the amount of relaxation time available has greatly reduced so I really have to make the most of it. 

It’s hard as a parent though, my only real relaxation time is after the boys are asleep. But even then there are chores to do, tidying up, folding laundry…the list goes on. Most nights though I do get a few hours to myself, although I would get less if I actually went to bed at a sensible time!

Some nights all I want to do is collapse in front of the TV with a cup of tea. A lot of the time though I spend time blogging, or doing blog admin, which I suppose can be relaxing too. Although I mostly blog for fun, I do make a bit of money out of it too – it never really feels like I’m working though, even if I’m doing something I’m getting paid for.

Everything I do to relax though is done while I’m sitting on my bum. And although chilling on the sofa might relax my mind it doesn’t do a great deal for my waistline. Back in my pre-kid days I used to go to dance classes, and I was in amateur musicals – I loved it. It was so much fun, and great exercise too.

I really hope to get back to dancing and musicals one day, and it’s definitely looking more possible now Gabe is finally sleeping better, but I think it might be another 6 months or so before I actually manage it. But I have found something I can do at home that is both relaxing and good exercise, for both mind and body…

Yoga

I did yoga during both my pregnancies but prenatal yoga is a lot about the breathing and very gentle movement. I’d never tried ‘proper’ yoga but after a few people recommended it to me I was keen to give it a go.

Back in June when I started on my ‘Fit by 40‘ journey, I have been following the YouTube videos of ‘Yoga with Adriene’. There are absolutely loads of different videos for every ability and situation. I did a few random ones to start with before following the Yoga Camp 30 days of yoga. For a while I managed to do it every day but then I got a bit more sporadic. And I have to confess that I haven’t done any at all for a few weeks.

I really have been enjoying yoga though, and I’ve felt it make a difference to my body, and my mind. In the Yoga Camp videos there is a different affirmation linked to the practice every day, things like ‘I Accept’, ‘I am Capable’, and ‘I respect’. Whilst following the video Adriene encourages you to think about the affirmation – but it isn’t at all serious or worthy like you might think. She is really down to earth and friendly – the kind of person you’d want to go out for coffee with.

Doing yoga at home is so easy – you really don’t need  anything at all. I have a yoga mat which I had from my pregnancy yoga and it can help stop you slipping, but I wouldn’t say it’s essential. And you don’t need any special clothes, most of the time I just do it in my pyjamas. Best of all it doesn’t matter in the slightest if you are rubbish at it because there’s no one there to see you!

If you want to give yoga for relaxation a go then why not give it a try with this super quick 6 minute yoga chill?

What do you do to relax? Do you exercise or do you prefer something more sedentary?

 

This is the eighteenth post in my #Blogtober series – you can read the rest of the posts here.