Favorite ways to decompress

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Specializes in hospice.

I'm a CNA, not a nurse yet, but we all have the same challenge with self-care and stress relief, I think. What are your best, most-used stress relievers?

Here are mine:

Relaxing in my nice, deep oval bathtub with my husband and a glass of wine, trading back rubs

Long walks with my husband (usually a bit more than an hour) where we talk about our week, current events....whatever comes up, and sometimes that's just silent togetherness

Curling up on the couch with a book and snacks

Group exercise classes at the gym, faves being step, kickboxing, and weights/toning

Running and hiking in the outdoors, especially hiking clears my mind so well

Cooking, especially trying new dishes and cultural cuisines not my own

So what are yours? :)

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I go to the gym and work out! That's one of the best ways for me to blow off stress! I defiantly love being outside so any chance I have, I take! I also like hot baths with "stress relief" soap from bath and body works. The smell is just relaxing!

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I was just reading about Jahi in another thread, saw this in the sidebar, and at first glance I read "Favorite Ways to Decompose"

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Specializes in EDUCATION;HOMECARE;MATERNAL-CHILD; PSYCH.

Writing, meditation and hanging out with my husband.

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Specializes in neonatal.

Taking my dog for a long walk. It clears my head.

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Sex. Crossfit. Reading. Taking a bath.

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Live music shows, gym, hanging out with my pups, books and movies, venting to friends and family...

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When I come home after a 12 hour shift I take a long hot shower (I work 12s overnights). Then I sit on the floor and my 4 little pomeranians jump all over me and welcome me home. I have a cup of coffee and some toast with my hubby then I go upstairs and turn on retro TV and catch about 15 minutes of the Golden Girls before I fall asleep.

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Exercise, sex, reading, strategizing my life, having days where I do nothing to recharge, hanging out with friends, seeing movies, etc. Getting out in nature is the best.

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Hanging out w/ the fam ---kiddos, hubby, dogs...watching TV, going for a walk, playing cards. Being silly w/ my daughter ... making up dances, having an ugly face selfie contest, tickle fests. Yeah, my family. Don't know how I'd survive w/o them. I do like some quality me time, too after they've gone to bed. I like to read, watch TV, get on AN. The gym when I can muster up the energy.

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