I've been listening to a podcast on exercise motivation and one of the things she talked about has struck a chord with me. She talked about the problem of not taking quality down time and then finding yourself taking lots of non-quality down time in front of the boob tube (many people snack there but that is not one of my habits) instead of doing things you'd like to do like exercise and other hobbies. I think this is where I have fallen. I always sort of blow off the idea of 'me time' because I'm single and childless and I have 24/7 of 'me time' but I don't really because I don't manage that time well. I'm reexamining my ideas about down time and how I want to approach it.

Do any of you have effective strategies around this? Do you have a set time? Do you have specific activities that work well vs. those that don't?

I've got a list going of things that I'd like to create quality down time around. Reading, listening to podcasts, guided meditation, listening to music are on the list so far. I'm considering when I want to do this in my day. I think I need to do it when I get off work for the stress relief it provides but it seems to be a slippery slope for me that once I go to "down time" mode, I don't get back up.

Peg

The podcaster indicated she thought the ideal 'down time' activity was meditation. She indicated that she understood that didn't work for everyone but she found that to be the most rejuvenating down time. I've had some luck in the past doing guided meditation but that feels more like a 'good for me to do' thing vs. down time. I had the same thought about journaling when I was brainstorming. It feels like something that needs to be done vs. wants to do seems to be the line that I have drawn in my mind. Is that similar to others idea of down time? I was also thinking I would choose my down time activity based on how I was feeling. The guided meditation/journaling option could be used at more stressful times and maybe the reading/listening to podcasts during less stressful days.

Peg

Five years ago I began a routine I look forward to with as much relish as French's and Grey Poupon and spoon out. After I watch the evening news and Jeopardy, if it's not a repeat, the dog and I go out to the front porch until the lack of light or the mosquitos force us in. I go out to read. Patches to protect her mistress and her neighborhood from intruding squirrels and rabbits.

Patches continued this routine year round. I don't have the fur coat that she does, so I wimp out when the outdoor temperature drops into the 30s.

During the winter, I go to the bedroom to read. I don't do it quite as early - but it's never later than 10 p.m. and I have an hour until bedtime.

I hadn't done it so far this year until last night. DH took advantage of materials being discarded from his work and enclosed the porch with the roll-out windows and screens.

Between our busy schedules and his being sick, the porch hadn't been cleared of detritus or items we had stored there prior to the enclosure.

I put a major dent in extraneous material and cobwebs and critters yesterday and Patches and I rewarded ourselves about 8 p.m.

Ah!


I've decided that I want a small table to have coffee or lunch. I'll start watching garage sales.

Linda

i watch almost no TV at all. I have really enjoyed reading. one of the reasons i bought my house is the lvoely screened porch we have. it is just gorgeous and large. yet, i rarely use it. how ridiculous. now, i find whatever reason i can go out there, and read, or just veg out and listen to the birds. it is just glorious. i eat my sunday breakfast out there. it is like having a huge park in my own backyard.

I didn't watch any tv yesterday so that was good.

Peg

I can SO relate, Peg.

Two of the things I did in April that worked for me for a few months were:

1. Making a goal list of the kinds of things I wanted to do and how often, realistically, I would do them in a week. For example, I had a goal of reading at least 1 hour per day.

2. Setting a time for a given kind of activity. For example, I would read every afternoon somewhere in the 3-6 p.m. timeframe.

Hope that helps a little!