It seems to be that time of year. Everyone is getting antsy & those of us trying to burn multiple ends of candles are starting to face that "spring burnout".

What are your "quick" remedies for burnout. By quick, I mean something short of running away from home for a whole day or more.

After a refresher, do you plan for something more significant? What is your favorite break just for you?

I love to lock myself up in the bedroom and put in a DVD. I bought the 1st 2 seasons of House and watched them once in awhile for a break. I also like lighter comedy movies

I've been getting up before DS gets up and reading my Bible. It is like a little heaven here on earth for me.

Oh- and how can I forget scrapbook. I LOOOOVVEEE it! I go on a weekend 1 X a year and try to go one weekend day a month (or so...)

Naps are so vitale to me.

Another thing I like to do is take myself out to breakfast after walking in the a.m. I don't do it everyday - I actually prefer my own oatmeal and turkey sausage to the 2 egg and toast special ($1.50 - recently up from 99¢). But NOT having to prepare the breakfast and instead delving into the book du jour (or newspaper). I sit through 3 cups of coffee, so it's a leisurely breakfast, but probably about 1 hour. Sets the tone for a good day.

Linda

Quick remedies:

1. pick one small task that is bugging me and get it done. (like clean up a table top, or make a long overdue medical appointment) Getting at least one thing accomplished has a theraputic value when I'm feeling swamped.

2. pick up the guitar and practice/play for 5-10 minutes.

3. Cup of tea and a short magazine article.

4. close my eyes and take 10 really deep breaths.


alli

I take my book or notebook or laptop to a café and sit there for a couple of hours. Very relaxing.

I take my journal (or the book I am working on now) to the coffee shop, have a skinny latte and just sit and write and watch the people. They have every magazine that a library has, and I love just looking through them....it's a wonder couple of hours of peace and relaxation. Sometimes I get involved in a conversation with others, most times not. But it is a delightful escape just for me.

Longer escapes, shopping, shopping, or craft classes....love it!

I took a 2-hour nap on Saturday after work. I felt MUCH better afterwards.

Bubble baths are my lifesaver.

Lately I have been turning off the radio/noise in my car and just thinking. It has helped relax me before getting home. Taking time for quiet is soooo important and I don't think we do it enough.

I like to curl up with a good book or movie and just shut out the real world for a while.
Sometimes it is hard to shut out the real world with mother constantly interrupting to read to me from the paper so I will go to Barnes & Noble and spend several hours sitting in the cafe with some hot tea reading or just people watching and not really thinking about anything important.

a nice bath with bubble bath or bath salts,
reading, getting a massage, sometimes though Laura I also sit on the couch and watch TV. It is ok to do that once in awhile. If it helps you unwind and relax, so be it.

Dawn

I take a day at home alone--- during the week when dd is at school. I do light housework and take all the time I want to sit, nap, watch tv.

I also go to bed early--- after dd is in bed I take an hour to unwind and then in bed by 9.

I retreat to the tub with a CD player of my favorite tunes. I pour in the bubble bath and sing like a fool at the top of my lungs. I always seem to feel better after that.

(that's where I'm heading after I get dd off to bed)

I'll fess up now. I'm quickly approaching a huge meltdown. I'm totally burned out between school issues & schedule, working 2 jobs, and not having had a real break since August.

I can't find more than an evening to myself, and I'm having a hard time finding something to do short of plopping on the couch for a night. (I blame 12 weeks of intense physics for that block of creative relaxation thinking.)