8 Ways To Relax Productively

I know, surely relaxing means doing f*ck all and just lazing around eating a pack of Bourbon biscuits and binge-watching the Queen's Gambit? Well, yes, that is true. But if you're a productive person like me, I like to find ways to relax productively.


A lot of us do lament being busy and oppose the idea of idolising being busy, but I am somebody who does love feeling and being active, especially now that I have started Kaftrio (another post for another day) and now I feel I can do anything!

8 Ways To Relax Productively

Obviously downtime is so important, now things are getting back to some sort of normal, we will be craving downtime more than ever now. Lockdown gave us the chance to have an extreme amount of downtime, more than we were ever used to. Having that relaxing period of the day is important for our wellbeing, as well as our physical health. But, if you're like me and want to still stay a little productive while gobbling down the Bourbon biscuits, you've come to the right place.


Over time, I have found ways and activities that you can do to relax but still have that sense of productivity thrown in for good measure, and they are:


READING
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You can't beat cwtching up on the sofa or in bed with your latest read, whether that be in book form or on a Kindle, with a cuppa. It's a great way to relax plus you're getting through a chapter or two. Before you know it, you'll be looking for another book to read on Amazon or library. 

8 Ways To Relax Productively


LEARN  A  NEW  SKILL  /  HOBBY
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I took up learning Spanish and I love having that time, however long that may be, to learn a new language and gain more knowledge of the Spanish vocabulary. Comprender? 
But seriously, if there is a skill or hobby you would like to try, do it! I think hobbies are a lovely way to relax plus add to your skills list! Also this is a fantastic way of finding your creative side. 


WRITE
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Now we're talking! Ok, this maybe just me. But I do find writing incredibly relaxing. This is part of the reason why I started blogging in the first place. I find a comfort in getting my thoughts down on my laptop or even in one of my many, many notebooks. This is a valuable method to use when you are feeling low and want to express your thoughts. This is a method I have tried recently, when you can't talk about your problems to someone else, jot them down on a bit of paper. It does work, honestly.



WATCH  A  DOCUMENTARY
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Seaspiracy, The Social Dilemma, any David Attenborough documentary, there's always a documentary to watch on TV. Watching a documentary allows you to learn something new and let's face it, parking your backside in front of the TV screen is relaxing enough as it is!

8 Ways To Relax Productively


LISTEN  TO  A  PODCAST
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There are so many podcasts out there to suit everybody's tastes and there are so many benefits to listening to them also. Get those earphones in and listen to some, some are quite educational and some are just plain funny!


SOCIALISE
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Ok, I know it's been really difficult to socialise with us being in lockdown for the majority of the last 12 months, but now restrictions are lifting slowly, this would be an ideal way to relax, have that coffee date or picnic in the park with your friends and just enjoy being around them! Go and see your family and catch up on the latest going on's within your family tree. However, going out and socialising is not everybody's thing, if that's the case, have a catch up over Zoom in the comfort of your own home!



PRACTICE  SELF  CARE
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We all find it hard to find the time to fit in that bit of self-care in our daily routine, finding that time to relax etc. When you have five minutes, get the face mask out, do a quick workout or meditate. That practice of self-care will do you wonders!

8 Ways To Relax Productively


DO  NOTHING
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Yep, just do f*ck all. Sometimes you just need to sit or lie down and do just nothing. Your body does need a rest from time to time, take advantage of that break!


Relaxing doesn't just have to mean doing naff all, you can try these methods and be productive without exerting yourself too much. Personally, when I want to relax, I'd like to find a way to use that time effectively, so all these suggestions I have listed are good methods for me to relax productively!


Do you agree with me on this? Let me know!

50 comments
  1. I'm not very good at relaxing - my brain seems to be going a million miles an hour. Also, if I'm in the middle of something big at work or the house is a mess, I HAVE to finish it before I chill.
    I love reading, I've been doing more conscious reading since Christmas in the hope that it'll keep me off my phone and force me to have just five minutes of chill time.
    I also LOVE documentaries, they are my favourite things to watch

    Rosie

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    1. I feel the same Rosie, my brain can't just relax at times, my mind is always in overdrive! Like you, I have to finish a task that I've started before I can chill.
      I'm glad that you're doing more reading than before lovely, it's a great method to use when you want to stay away from your phone x

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  2. Honestly i am so bad at relaxing since we went into lockdown and started working on the blog. Writing and reading have been totally my go to and trying now to involve them better during the day and give myself more downtime too x

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    1. I feel the same too Cristina, I'm struggling a lot more to relax since the lockdown restrictions have lifted, I feel I want to do so much after being stuck at home for so long! I'm glad that writing and reading is something you go to when you want to relax x

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  3. I'm not really good at relaxing to be honest. My head always bounces back to "I could be doing something productive" mode. But I've foudn out that reading is THE thinkg that makes me relax and not think like that. I've always loved reading but lately it has been my favorite thing ever!

    Rita | https://theeuropeancloset.com/

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    1. I'm like that too Rita, when sitting down, I always feel like I could or should be doing something! I'm glad that reading is the one thing that can make you relax, I love reading also! x

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  4. I wrote a post like this yearsss ago when I was really suffering with the toxic productivity syndrome haha. Relaxing whilst doing something that felt productive reaaally helped me break out of that!

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    1. I never knew there was a thing called Toxic Productivity Syndrome?! I certainly have that now! I'm glad that relaxing whilst doing something has really helped you Jenny!

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  5. Thanks for sharing, I just like to sit and read magazines to relax, also to plan ideas of recipes that I want to make, it seems to help :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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    1. I like that you plan recipes and read magazine while relaxing Nic, that's still being productive but also doing something that you seem to enjoy!

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  6. I love reading and listening to podcasts to wind down, but I think it's so easy to fall into the habit of making that a task too. 'Can I read x books this month?' Rather than just enjoying what's on the page in front of you, which is exactly why doing nothing is still important too! x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. I agree Sophie, it's important to find that fine line of relaxing and making that a task, it's better to just enjoy what is on the page in front of you x

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  7. I actually find that relaxing productively like reading or writing inspires a lot of my blog post ideas. Fantastic post!

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    1. I agree Bethany, it helps me get creative and write some new blog content!

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  8. I love to sit and read when I’m trying to relax, I can usually scroll through my phone for hours but I now pick up a book instead! Also I love watching all of the docuseries on Netflix! X

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    1. I'm glad that you reach for a book instead of scrolling through your phone for hours! x

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  9. You've mentioned so many great ideas. I've always loved reading but recently have been trying out new ways to relax. I'm loving trying to make new crafts and being creative at the moment.

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    1. That's great to hear that you are loving getting creative right now!

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  10. Now this is the blog post that I really needed to see, so many great ideas!

    Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk

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  11. These are all pretty amazing ideas, Lucy! Would love to try a new hobby and listen to podcast. I think for me it's definitely journaling xx

    lenne | lennezulkiflly.com

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    1. Thank you Lenne! Journaling is a lovely way to relax and also be productive at the same time! xx

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  12. I love the idea of relaxing productively! I'm completely with you - writing for your own blog can be so relaxing :) x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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    1. It can be Faye, just getting your thoughts really does help me to relax! x

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  13. I love all these ideas for relaxing productively! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  14. Yes to all of these! I've been struggling lately to unwind and allow myself to stop thinking, but I've noticed that spending time away from my phone has really helped. I've been taking a lot of bubble baths too and binging documentaries I've been meaning to catch up on.

    Kate | kindlyk.co.uk x

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    1. It sounds like spending time away from your phone has really helped you Kate, you can't beat binge watching documentaries etc! x

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  15. I love listening to podcasts, I'd love to hear more about your favourite ones! My favourite at the minute is one called I Secretly Recorded My Boyfriend its HILLARIOUS! Milli x ~ http://millidavison.co.uk/

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    1. Oh I'll go and take a listen to that podcast Milli, it sounds brilliant! x

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  16. Lovely post, Lucy! I've been trying to force myself to do nothing hahaha I've always been the type of person who always needs to do something which has made me anxious in the past! I love crafting on my down times too! Thanks for sharing xx

    Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

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    1. Thank you Lynn! I'm like you, I always feel I have to be doing something! xx

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  17. Loved reading this so much!! I especially love taking a warm bath and reading x

    http://adventuresinmay.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you lovely, I'm glad you enjoyed this post! x

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  18. As someone who always feels guilty when they're just not doing anything, thanks so much for sharing!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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    1. I'm glad it's not just me who feels the same about not doing anything!

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  19. Love this! I'm definitely a read a book or listen to an audiobook while knitting or doing some embroidery; so relaxing but also kind of productive :)
    Sarah x

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    1. That's a good idea Sarah, that's multitasking at it's best! x

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  20. I know this is about being productive, but lazing around eating bourbon biscuits got me. In all seriousness, I always struggle with not being busy, so this post is super helpful. It's amazing how much writing down your thoughts really helps!xx

    Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/

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    1. Who doesn't love lazing around eating biscuits Hannah?! I'm glad this post has been super helpful for you! xx

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  21. I've never been very good at relaxing, although over recent years I've definitely gotten better! I'm such a multitasker, even when I am 'relaxing' - I really need to chill a bit. Haha.
    Claire.X
    www.clairemac.co.uk

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    1. With you being a Mum Claire, I'm not surprised that you're a good multitasker! x

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  22. I feel like this post was made for me as I really struggle to relax and always keep busy so I'm loving all of these ideas xx

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    1. I struggle to relax at times too Della, I'm glad you enjoyed this post! xx

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  23. I've become a big documentary watcher during lockdown, although not all of mine have been that relaxing haha... I love a bit of reading too, I feel like I really get a bit of a chance to remove myself from reality! xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. You can't beat a good documentary sometimes! Reading does give you the chance to remove yourself away from life and get immersed into a story! xx

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  24. Love this because I'm the type of person who can't sit still and struggles to relax. Doing something productive but relaxing sounds like the ticket :) xx

    Violethollow.com

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    1. I'm like you lovely, I struggle to keep still and need to be doing something! xx

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  25. Thank you for sharing this Lucy, these are some really useful ideas! I struggle to do "relaxing" type things because I hate feeling like I'm not doing anything productive, but you're so right - reading and writing especially are two ways I've been unwinding. I love seeing the progress I'm making through a book and I love ticking things off my blogging to-do list!

    Amy | sassycatlady.com

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    1. Like you, I hate the thought of not doing anything productive so doing these suggestions is just the ticket! x

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