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How to Actually Relax {Guest Post}

Published on November 29, 2016 By Emily. Updated on October 22, 2016

Hi Relishments readers! I’m on maternity leave, but some awesome blogger friends have volunteered to step in and keep new content coming your way. I may be popping in occasionally, but I really appreciate the opportunity to take some time off with our new addition. Please show my guest authors some love and check out their sites and social media! Today’s post is from Aya of A Healthy Story.


strawberries

Here’s the key to relaxing: remembering what it was like when you were a kid.

When you were a kid, you didn’t worry about the past or the future, right? You totally and completely lived in the moment. That’s really the best way to relax.

That’s easier said than done most of the time, of course. We all have busy lives and we have so many things to think about all the time. When we tell ourselves we’re going to stop checking email at a certain time, there we are, checking our work email in bed. Oops. And we can’t stop opening social media as soon as we wake up (often the second we open our eyes in the morning).

So how do you actually relax? Here are some of my favourite ways to rest.

1.) Reading All Day Long

It’s no secret that as we get older, we don’t have as much time to read as we used to. We can’t just spend every single magical summer afternoon lying in our backyard or in a park reading (as amazing as that sounds) and we have busy schedules and lots of responsibilities. But when I really need a break, I take an entire weekend afternoon (or an entire weekend if I’m lucky) and read a good book. I read everything from celebrity memories to women’s fiction to young adult books and I’m really just a sucker for a good story.

Seriously. You need a break? Read a book.

2.) Binge-Watching

All hail the binge watch. I’m really a big fan of this way of watching TV (in case you couldn’t tell from other posts here, I really, really love TV). The thing with binge-watching is it really allows you to get totally immersed in the experience of what you’re watching. You don’t have to switch between different shows and different characters and storylines. You can focus and really chill out. Some of my fave recent binge watches: Stranger Things, Switched At Birth, Teen Mom, and Seinfeld.

3.) Cooking

Cooking is not always super fun or relaxing, but if you make it a point to enjoy the process, you might be surprised at how much you enjoy yourself. I’m a cookbook addict and can’t seem to stop adding new ones to my collection, and of course, I don’t cook recipes from them on a regular basis since that takes a lot of time. But when I want a break, I pick one of my more recent finds and make a recipe or two. It’s amazing how calming this can be and how much better I feel afterward… plus I get to eat the delicious meal, so it’s a win win.

What are some of your favourite ways to relax?


Aya Tsintziras is a freelance writer and editor living in Toronto. She shares gluten-free, dairy-free recipes along with lifestyle and pop culture posts on her blog A Healthy Story. She loves coffee and barre classes.

Follow Aya!

Twitter: @ayatsintziras

Instagram: @ahealthystoryblog

Facebook Page: A Healthy Story

Pinterest: @ahealthystory

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Filed Under: life Tagged With: guest post, maternity leave, self care

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Emily
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires

#NorthAdams #NAmazing
Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shir Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shiredonuts, Poseidon Coffee, the Ashwillticook Rail Trail, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams Free Library and beautiful flowers.
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#AdamsMA #igers413_food
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I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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#LazyGenius #KendraAdachi #NameWhatMatters #TheLazyGeniusKitchen #TheLazyGeniusWay #BookGiveaway
This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #MassMoCA #ArtMuseum
Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
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This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
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My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
Link in profile.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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