Thursday Fun: How do you unwind when you're offline?

[#1]

Hi Everyone!

I’m back for some more Thursday Fun. Today’s question is all about unplugging from the many devices that we use every day.

How do you unwind when you’re offline?

I hope your answers will provide all of us some extra motivation to take a few minutes to disconnect this weekend.

For me, I love taking really long walks. People who live in New York tend to spend a lot of time underground on the Subway, but this is a city for walking. You can cover a lot of ground by walking just a few miles. I always find a restaurant I’d like to try, spot some cool architecture, or generally notice something I hadn’t before. It’s refreshing to slow down and see the city I’m always rushing through in a new way.

[TheSilverPendant]

Going to Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park for a late afternoon picnic and swim.

[Former_Member]

This may sound completely opposite, but I found the only way for me to truly unwind is to redirect my attention to learning something new.
I used to try going for walks or doing super chill things, but I still found I was constantly thinking about stuff I needed to be working on.

So I started to go back to what I ultimately enjoy the most, which is just...creating. I will pull out clay or paint...stuff I don't normally work with, and just play with it, with no level of expectation. I find this helps me relax and clear my mind better than anything else. Also reminds me of why I still love art. :)

[Former_Member]

I love taking walks with my dogs. It's calming for me and them! I take a trail near my house and walk around one of the older neighborhoods in town. Very relaxing!

[Former_Member]

Bicycling! A 50 mile ride is a great way to clear your mind of unwanted thoughts, and you can't use your smart phone while you're riding (you'd better not, anyway)!

[EmilyEckel]

I relax by taking long walks or cycling on the Pittsburgh city trail system. It runs along our rivers and connects to the parks.

[SoulPathShoes]

Good topic! Even though I live on a quiet, peaceful paradise of an island on the Canadian west coast, life can get busy running a small business... as you all know!
I make a point of turning off the computer on Friday night, and don't turn it back on until Monday morning... I really take the weekend off, and the leaving computer and emails behind is the best way for me to un-hook, or un-plug. I also don't carry a cell phone, so when I'm enjoying precious family time on the weekend at a beach or in the forest, I don't get interrupted by calls.
I don't like to compromise my presence and full attention for my 3-year old boy. Having modern devices constantly humming is certainly a compromise.
To sum up my philosophy: Nature, nature, nature... and quality connection and presence with loved ones!

[Former_Member]

Having a bike ride with my daughter in the back chair and with my dear husband.

Hiking our beautiful Romanian mountains.

Visiting ruins and historical places.

Reading a good book whit a cup of herbs tea, herbs that not long ago I picked our from nature.

Painting with my Ania, singing noisily, doing games and puzzles.

Any of the above are perfect for me!

[CassaStamps]

I walk my doggie to disconnect completely and then I work on new ideas or new orders away from computer. I also read for a while If I have the chance.

[bespokeeffects]

I take Sunday to rest. I don't do anything business related. I like to spend time with family and friends, that I don't see during the week.

[RockArtiste]

I have 2 dogs that need daily walks in the woods, parks, the mall if the weather is bad. I went huckleberry picking yesterday in the mountains and today have 2 dogs and a car that have to be cleaned up before I can go to work. Body is sore from playing mountain goat! Too many hours at the computer and trying to paint - I am getting out of shape. Physical exercise is the best way to unwind. Or travel. Travel is always good for what might ail you.

[Former_Member]

Going tubing tomorrow!! Hiking next weekend~

[Former_Member]

I unwind with some hiking and outdoors time. When I go through periods of high stress, I try to get away from the city for a bit and go on a trip by myself.

[DesignsbyTrilliants]

I usually take a drive in my car to unwind or take my 2 puppies for a long walk or as far as they will walk on their own. In the winter time I sit down and read a good book!

[bigalhats]

for me it's going to a yoga class or my favorite dance class- Afro Cuban style! focusing on the movements helps me to shift away from any problems or stress I may be having...

[Former_Member]

In my city (Portland, Oregon), I live about 3 blocks from the river. Much of downtown runs along the waterfront, and there is a boardwalk and sidewalk that begins near my home and ends a few miles uptown. I love going down to the river on any day (even a rainy one), and just staring at the water. I imagine life working on a boat, and revisit childhood memories of believing in mermaids. It calms and soothes my stresses and reminds me there is a whole big world out there to explore.

[3friendssignature]

I watch a comedy, drink some tea or wine and laugh!

[BlacknickSculpture]

I'm blessed to live a block from the ocean. So whenever I feel the need I like to unwind with a beach walk. I always enjoy watching the oystercatchers, ospreys and terns.

[Former_Member]

I have a full time job so creating is my way to unwind from that, but when I unwind completely we love going to the beach or the pool. Back with nature!

[KathleenRichFineArt]

Life can get a little overbooked. When I do have free time, I make sure that I'm offline, unplugged and disconnected.
In the summertime, I love to work in my vegetable garden. There has been good rainfall this past month and my garden has grown into a massive jungle of healthy veggies.
Some evenings I sit behind my house and watch the sun set over the mountains: The the colors and the interplay between sunlight and clouds is always inspiring.

[Former_Member]

I usually unwind by reading a good book. When I feel very stressed I go down to a not well known Lake Michigan beach on in NE Illinois, with a book, make myself comfortable and sit for a few hours reading and gazing out over the vast lake. There is nothing more relaxing than the sound of waves crashing on the lake shore on a windy day, not even a massage.

[Dogdohr]

Take a walk with the dogs!

[IzzybirdBags]

To relax, I like to open my beehive and watch the bees working hard.I never work so hard or productively as these ladies! It's quite mesmerising seeing them en masse, the vision of thousands of bees is quite entrancing.

[ionesAttic]

It's taken me 28 years but I've finally made my small outdoor deck into an oasis with 2 large wicker chairs with comfy all weather cushions. A large potted jasmine plant and a rosemary plant add the perfect fragrance and there's just enough room for my yoga mat.

[Former_Member]

Playing with my 18 month old son is the best medicine. We like to turn on some music and dance as fast and silly as we can. His laughter makes all my stress go away.

[SimplySticky]

You can usually find me with my sketchbook coloring and doodling