What do you do with your free time to relax?

1. 74

   HeatherH104posted 11 years ago

   What do you do with your free time to relax?
   
   Do you have a hobby, if so what is it? What other things do you do to relax?

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2. 61

   Angela Kaneposted 11 years ago

   I prefer to read and listen to music to relax in my free time.

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      HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds great! The only chance I get to do either is when I'm working out - not exactly relaxing. Lol.
      Thanks for sharing!

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3. 64

   Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

   Other than doing a little socializing, I write what want to write, or else write I think needs to be written. 
   
   Writing is not a hobby for me most of the time.  Most of the time I write what someone else wants me to write, or else I write what otherwise earns me some income.   With my free-time writing I either write for enjoyment or else write from my "personal agenda" - not usually because I want to write from a personal agenda for some reason, like venting or clearing my head.  Instead, I use my ability to write to try to share what I've learned and what I think, if a few more people would learn it, might help "make the world a better place".   I don't mean to come across as "trying to be lofty" or "do-gooder".  It's just that there are so many things I've learned over the course of my not-so-brief lifetime that I really hate to waste all those hard-earned lessons by a. keeping them to myself, and b. letting others learn them the hard way - or never learn what might be useful to them in their own life.
   
   I do with reading what I do with writing:  Sometimes it's for work.  Sometimes for enjoyment.  Sometimes to learn something.  Then, as with writing, sometimes it's just for my own enjoyment. 
   
   So for me, writing and reading are both non-free-time things for me and free-time things for me.  They're work.  They're hobby.  They're personal "passions".   With those being essentially the only thing I do for either work or hobby, there are spin-off things that take my time - such as learning new programs, dabbling in a little photography or drawing as part of some of writing efforts; studying up on/dabbling-and-muddling in things I need to learn for either work or free-time writing.
   
   That sounds pretty dull and un-interesting to a lot of people, including me; but between the things I've mentioned and the fact that I have the usual responsibilities as well as a close family, a few close friends, and keeping generally informed in life; I don't have other free time or even interest in doing much more in terms of a hobby.  It may not be exciting or interesting to most people, but I like knowing that I make really good use of my time. 
   
   When I want to just relax and take a break (or kill boredom) I come to "Answers" here and see what I can come up with.  Technically, I suppose it's more writing.   
   
   I kind of feel bad that I don't have an unrelated hobby, but then again I get a lot of different things from that whole mucked up mix of the work/free-time-type-of-stuff that I do. 

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   1. 74

      HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I can relate to what you're saying. It's hard to relax when there are so many possibilities. I'm always trying to think of something I can do to better myself and hopefully in process earn some income. I'll check your hubs see what I can learn.

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4. 68

   just helenposted 11 years ago

   My husband and I like to sit under a tree in the woods with a picnic, and a good book each. A perfect way to spend a summer's afternoon.
   When I'm on my own I like to play my violin or accordion, both of which he hates!

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   1. 74

      HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, that sounds lovely!
      I love to play my flute but same thing- everyone needs to be out so I don't bother them.
      Thanks for sharing!

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5. 72

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   Reading books is one of the main ones. The stress just melts off your skin. Another stress reducer consists as bike rides which helps to refresh my mind.

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      HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Exercise really does clear the mind.
      Thanks for sharing!

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6. 82

   petenaliposted 11 years ago

   It really depends on my mood.  Oftentimes it'll be reading (I read on my iPad mostly) or writing.  Sometimes it'll be playing tennis.  Other times it'll be lighting a few candles, pouring a glass of wine and sitting with my wife on the back deck as the sun goes down just chatting or maybe sitting in a comfortable silence...

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   1. 74

      HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That does sound relaxing, thanks for sharing!

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7. 75

   johnsonrallenposted 11 years ago

   Reading is a big one. Drinking coffee relaxes me, believe it or not, especially sitting outside on the porch with a book and a nice cup of coffee.

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   1. 74

      HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds very nice. Thanks for responding!

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8. 79

   Diana Leeposted 11 years ago

   Computer time on and off the internet is one of my most time consuming past times.  I read, I write and I look for information.  I communicate, I make friends and I reunite with old friends.  I watch video clips, play games, watch movies and listen to music all via the internet.  I shop, I find out the daily news and weather forecast while I'm surfing as well. I guess you could call it a hobby and a way to relax. I also enjoy watching television and I enjoy the old classics more than most of the new stuff.

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      HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm with you preferring older tv shows. Sounds like a nice way to spend free time!
      Thanks for your response.

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9. 62

   myeffortsposted 11 years ago

   Whenever I get time to relax, I always engage with my kids. Some of their innocent questions really help to relax and explain things to them. It really helps a lot to relieve the stress.

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   1. 74

      HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very nice! Kids have such a neat perspective on everything.

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10. 70

    BobbySDposted 11 years ago

    Walking, hiking and mountaineering is a good relaxation in psychological terms. It clears your mind and refreshes your soul.

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    1. 74

       HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Very healthy too! You are right about exercising, especially in fresh air clearing the mind.
       Thanks for your answer!

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11. 72

    liesl5858posted 11 years ago

    My main hobby is gardening and I know it is not relaxing because  if I go out there in my little back garden, there is always something to do but I find it relaxing just to be in the garden. I like watching the birds and the butterflies. The lovely flowers, my growing vegetables and all the other plants are lovely to look at and it is just peaceful there. Computing is also another hobby of mine that takes most of my time but I do enjoy it.

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    1. 74

       HeatherH104posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Gardening is so nice, especially having the fresh fruits and veggies!
       Thanks for sharing!

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