Relishments

Savoring life in the Berkshires

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Start Here
    • Relishments Around the Web
  • Flexitarianism
    • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Reviews
  • The Berkshires
    • Boothbay, Midcoast Maine and More
    • Adventures in Other Places
  • Technology
    • My Favorite Technology Tools
  • Contact
    • Sponsor

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

Related Posts

Guest Post: Katrina’s Allergy Free Lemon Cak...
View My Guest Post on Offbeat Home
Testing 1-2-3
How to Have the Best Farmers’ Market Experie...
Did you enjoy this post? Share it!

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

« Beet Chocolate Chip Muffins + A Farmers’ Market Guide To Beets {Guest Post}
20 Minute Chicken Noodle Soup {Guest Post} »

Welcome!

Welcome to Relishments! Follow along with my adventures in flexitarian eating and cooking in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

The Berkshires
Recipe Index
CSA Menu Plan
First Time?
 

Support Relishments on Patreon

Just so you know…

I’m just a girl who loves to cook and eat. This site is not a source for nutritional information.

Relishments is affiliated with various sponsors. Some product links on this site are affiliates; I may get portion of the sale. All opinions on this site are honest, regardless of revenue opportunities. Find out more about my policies here

Relishments is affiliated with…

View my food journey on Zomato!

  
Ahalogy Badge

relishments

In January I decided that one of my "deliberate" s In January I decided that one of my "deliberate" sub-goals for 2021 would be to figure out the best pizza dough recipe and topping combinations for my family. We've had pizza night on the menu for a long time, but I knew that I could improve the pizzas that were coming out of my oven. Each week (or so) I've been sharing in my Stories the pizzas I've made with various stores and toppings. I am eight weeks in I've already learned a lot about technique and what I prefer in a pizza crust and toppings. I'm also looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year will hold in my pizza making studies. Check out my highlights for all the pizzas so far!
.
.
.
#pizza #homemadepizza #goals #resolutions
New year, new word! This year, I'm focusing on bei New year, new word!
This year, I'm focusing on being deliberate in my speech, my relationships, my work and my time. Change isn't going to happen my chance!
More of my thoughts are on the blog, link in my profile.
.
.
.
#onelittleword #myoneword #newyears #newyearsresolution #2021 #2021theme
My top 9 of 2020. In typical 2020 fashion, I had a My top 9 of 2020.
In typical 2020 fashion, I had all kinds of issues getting my Top 9 created this year and this image still has problems. 
But the images are accurate and nicely summarize the year - take out from local establishments (@aokberkshirebbq, @thebreakroomgw, @northadamsfarmersmarket), #RelishmentsBakes projects, the natural beauty of the Berkshires and our successful container garden.
.
.
.
#topnine2020 #2020 #newyear
New on the blog: my 8 favorite recipes I made in 2 New on the blog: my 8 favorite recipes I made in 2020. This post has ideas for every meal and features recipes from @bonappetitmag, @kingarthurbaking, @budgetbytes, @markbittman, @smittenkitchen and @wholefully.
.
Link in profile.
.
I'd love to hear about the best things you cooked this year!
.
.
.
#recipe #recipereview #favoriterecipe
Apparently, in the weirdness that is 2020, posting Apparently, in the weirdness that is 2020, posting to my Instagram feed was one of the things that didn't make the cut. There are more items than I'd prefer in that category, but recently I've felt like I'm beginning to get my feet firmly planted beneath me again. This fall was so busy with learning how to teach remotely and parent 2 children well. I don't anticipate that life will ever feel not busy, but I've been able to carve out some time lately for activities I've been missing. Making bread is one of those activities. Hopefully, more posts in the feed will be more frequent going forward. 
.
.
.
Peasant bread recipe from @breadin5
For last month's #RelishmentBakes challenge I made For last month's #RelishmentBakes challenge I made apple turnovers with puff pastry from scratch. I am so pleased with how well they turned out and proud of myself for tackling puff pastry.  Get all the details at the link in my profile. Next month's challenge is coming soon!
.
.
.
#BakingChallenge #BakingFromScratch #bakealong #turnovers #AppleTurnovers
Sunset in North Adams . . . #igers413 #WigwamWeste Sunset in North Adams
.
.
.
#igers413 #WigwamWesternSummit #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #sunset
#sponsored All the time we've spent at home lately #sponsored All the time we've spent at home lately has definitely had me looking to expand the snack options in my pantry.  I jumped at the chance to try these @sunmaid Sour Raisins  and they immediately became one of my daughter's favorite snacks. She likes them because they're reminiscent of candy, I like them because they're technically fruit and they come prepackaged for easy snacking and taking on the go. I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty they are!
#howyoulikethemsours #contest #complimentary @Influenster
This weekend's weather was amazing and my family e This weekend's weather was amazing and my family embarked on the only way to kick off fall: we went apple picking at Jaeschke Orchards in Adams.  The parking lot was full, but out in the orchard we hardly came across any other groups.  The trees were heavy with apples and we quickly filled our bag. Looking forward to apples for snacks, pie, crisp and turnovers in the coming weeks.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in