Relaxation

[meatloaf231]

With all the "What do you hate about X" threads as of late, I think we need to have a more friendly discussion. Relaxation. What relieves stress for you?

Personally, I just watch a game of Defcon. It's that nuclear war game by Introversion. The slow, steady salvos of missiles, waves of planes, and fleets of ships all bearing down on one another is very relaxing to me. The music is full of long, drawn tones, all very trance-y. Perhaps it's the deep blue of the map along with the glowing colors of the players' units... It's like watching a lava lamp, except it has explosions.

Maybe there's something wrong with me, but I always feel significantly better afterwards.


What do you do or where do you go to relax? Got a favorite chair, book, hammock, beach, movie, game, etc. that always seems to calm you down? What do you do when you just had the worst day in recent memory?

 

[Zombie_King]

I play video games, simply put. They relieve my stress.

 

[wewontdie11]

Oh I love Defcon and it's definitely the music that relaxes you the most. It's like audio cannabis as far as chill-out is concerned.

I just play games to relax usually or go for a pint with some friends if I'm a bit stressed. I know it may sound a bit strange that even things such as FPSs can sooth me. I like to just kick back and shoot some people in the face. Suppose it lets me relax by venting any pent up frustration on virtual pixels.

 

[implodingMan]

I play guitar when I want to unwind. A few months ago I recorded a few simple blues chord progressions. I can set them to repeat and randomly solo over top of them. Good way to practice as well.

As for videogames I find Devil May Cry very relaxing.

Beyond that its all about getting in that right state of mind. Long slow breathing really helps as well. If I want to really relax I'm not adverse to some weed either.

 

[Shirahime]

I usually go out and shoot some clays, it's quite theraputic.

Either that or I sit down with a cig, a brew and a book.

 

[stompy]

I play video games, simply put. They relieve my stress.

I also read a book, read something on the Internet, or.. well, just play games.

 

[Aries_Split]

I find playing my Ocarina to be very relaxing, especially when playing something like Zelda's Lullaby.

 

[ThaBenMan]

Well, I get on the Escapist

Guitar Hero/Rock Band really help me blow off steam. Reading is relaxing too - I usually read for awhile before bed.

 

[Galletea]

I play to zanarkand on my piano. When it isn't out of tune. When it is I play one of my other musical instruments I can't play so well.

 

[jim_doki]

I write when i need to unwind. im ashamed to admit this, but i grabbed that particular technique from Oprah. It's got something to do with actually RELEASING stuff as apposed to taking more info in by watching TV or reading

 

[MarcusStrout]

Tea or killing things.

Well, mostly, I get an herbrew and take a nap, or play my DS for a while, but honestly, I don't think I've been stressed out in years.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

Brew some tea, grab a comic, make a sandwich, stick on some jonathan coulton and chill. The perfect geek chill out

That and a good old Herbal bath

 

[Imitation Saccharin]

Civilization 3 micromanaging. Nothing quit relieves my tension like telling every single one of my workers to do activity X, and after dozens of hours see the entire world coated in railroad tracks and mines.
Is very cathartic.

 

[zirnitra]

take the dogs for a nice walk through the forest. nice spliff, long hot shower. nice glass of wine with a book and a fag. but all in all I find the best thing is to just sit down somewhere comfy with a nice cup of tea and drift off into a long day dream.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

I'm unable to relax. It sucks, I know.
If I do something I enjoy doing, I put my energy into it, and therefore am not relaxing.
If I do something I don't enjoy, I either get pissed off or I get bored, both of which tense me up and make relaxation impossible.
I'm not even relaxed when I'm asleep, my younger brother claims I tense up more when sleeping than when I'm awake. How is that even possible, dammit?

 

[ThePoodonkis]

I listen to Dark Side of the Moon and take a nap.

 

[Daiquere]

I listen to and write stand-up comedy.

 

[the monopoly guy]

Listen to Kasabian, and play single player games. When you're in a bad mood and you play online, all the jerks get to you easier and makes it much less enjoyable.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Sleep. Sleep is very relaxing.

 

[Ares Tyr]

I own a punching bag for when I am angry. So that usually takes care of things. But when I fall into a sort of depression I usually sleep alot, and it just kind of subsides it for me until I get over it. Something about depression fatigues me when I have nothing to do, and I just sleep.

But apart from that, when I'm frustrated or angry or whatever, I love to listen to death metal, hit my punching bag, or train (martial arts). That usually helps. Lets me zone out.