Having a family is pretty much like surviving an armed invasion.  Okay, I’ve not actually experienced an invasion, armed or otherwise.  But, I’m sure it’s the same.  The tantrums, the screaming, the “I do it myself” – ing., and that’s just the adults! Let’s turn that chaos into calm.

Serenity Now!

Fortunately, the cavalry has arrived.  There are lots of ways to relax your body and your mind:

• Meditation
• Nature
• Talking with friends
• Yoga

Don’t get all crazy trying to decide on the very best, most perfect method.  Just pick one, try it out and see how you feel.  If you’re not feeling more chill, go on to something else.  My sweet, Aunt Norma once told me to “Take what’s yours and leave the rest.”  She meant you don’t have to like or agree with every, single thing in any practice, self-help book, sermon, etc.  You just take what works for you and don’t worry about the rest.  Maybe we can start TWYLR as a thing, like WWJD or WTF.  Well, we’ll see.  Anyway…

Ooommm

I began meditating about two years ago and it’s changed my life.  After you meditate consistently for a few days, you can press “pause” before you react.  For instance, when your husband snaps at you for pouring his coffee too late, so it’s too hot to guzzle down before he leaves for work, you can just NOT pour said coffee on his shirt.  Not that that’s ever happened to me or anything.

Some people feel more comfortable with guided meditation in the beginning.  But you don’t need anything to practice meditation except a quiet, distraction-free space and about 20 minutes. Several free and paid programs available.

Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra have great free meditation series a few times a year. They also offer programs for a fee. Please know that if you click on any of these links, I’m not getting one thin dime from the deal!  But, Oprah, if you’re reading this, I’d love to talk.)

Check out some of the free mediation apps. The top three free apps for iOS and Android are

1. The Mindfulness App
2. Headspace
3. Calm

“Fishing relaxes me. It’s like yoga, except I still get to kill something.” – Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation)

Just being outside, alone, is pretty refreshing.  Sitting in the sun, possibly in your nightgown, communing with nature. Yep, that feels good.  Walking to your neighborhood pool and reading on a chaise lounge, knowing that you are not responsible for one shriek, cry, splash, or diaper incident feels magnificent.  If you want to get all fitnessy, go on a hike, or a run, or a bike ride.  Whatever feels good, do it!

Let’s Do Lunch

The great indoors also has a lot going for it. Here’s the scenario:  you, wearing clean clothes, no pony tail and hard pants are sitting in a restaurant, in the middle of the day, with a friend, and – wait for it –  without one single kid.  After having an amazing meal of grownup food and one teensy glass of Chardonnay while talking with a friend for two hours before hauling ass to the car line, you’ll be a new woman!

Yoga Isn’t About Tightening Your Ass, It’s About Pulling Your Head Out of It

Do you do yoga? Honestly, I have never had the pleasure. All of that bending and stretching and the poses and what not? Kind of makes me feel vulnerable to stick my butt up in the air. Anyhow, lots of my friends love it and say that it is very relaxing. I keep on saying that I’m going to try it but I don’t know. Let’s put a pin in that, shall we?

About a billion other relaxation techniques, methods and practices exist.  Google it, friends.  TWYLR, take what’s yours and leave the rest.  (It’s a thing now, right?)

How do you unwind?