Aside from the solo activities like walks, gym, reading fiction, tv, etc, I find I like to relax around my friends. When I'm by myself, even my leisure activities can start to take on a productive mindset so dinner with friends, board games, zoo, movies, out etc helps me unwind.

by shepardcommanderSR2

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Music and art are two things that put me into a flow state—but they are also skills that I can intentionally work on to improve. To me, engaging with those activities is both working on a skill (productive) and relaxing because I get the benefits of being so focused on something that I'm not thinking about stresses. If I'm worried about Iosing myself to time, I'll set a timer and let the alarm tell me when it's time to come back to earth.

I can pick up a guitar and play for 5 or 10 minutes, or sit down and doodle freely or work on an already started project for whatever amount of time I can.

Otherwise, I like to listen to things that feel like learning—podcasts, audio books, etc while I do dishes or laundry. It's partly to help me keep track of time though. If I listen to a 30 min podcast, then I have a built in timer for 30 minutes that I can use for whatever.

by waygono

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Few things are more satisfying than kicking back and relaxing in a sparkling space with dust-free surfaces, freshly made beds, and fingerprint-free...everything. But getting your home to that point might not be exactly how you want to spend your time.

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I used to have what I called "self care Saturdays". I would sleep in, drink coffee and then deep cleaned my apartment. I love cleaning so it never felt like a task. I would also make lunch for myself, my sister and my mom. It always felt super relaxing because I love doing both and it's also productive. Then I'd finish my day with showering, shaving, skin care etc. Took ~2h for myself and spent them in the bathroom. I work full time while being a full time college student and this helps me prevent burnout.

by pulicaaaa

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#pets #cats #dogs 🐈 🐩

Everyone I know has pets. Some of them clearly get a lot of joy from them and don't find them a hassle. Others struggle constantly with problematic pets that need a lot of money and time invested in them, yet they still get more. Why do they do that?

Personally, I have high standards for hygiene, I'm allergic and I don't want to invest the time and money.

by my_milliom_alt

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On my 10th birthday, I got a puppy. I was so shocked—I had wanted a dog for as long as I could remember—and so overwhelmed with happiness that I burst into tears. For the next 14 years, Happy, a beagle, charmed everyone he met. And when he passed, all of us who had known him mourned, as we would for any loved one. Two in three American households have a pet—that is, an animal kept primarily for companionship. And despite the fact that these housemates may bear scales, fur, fins or feathers, people often view their animals as family members. In 2017 we spent an estimated $69 billion on our animal companions and untold hours caring for them.

by ScientificAmerican

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Do you have a dog at home? If so, you know that special feeling you get when you arrive home after a long day of school to be greeted with a wagging tail and a few excited licks to the face. When you experience the unconditional love of a dog, you know why the dog is called “man's best friend."

Maybe you have a cat at home instead. When you're down in the dumps, your furry and purr-y friend is sure to be there to snuggle up beside you to let you know everything is going to be just fine. Cats make great cuddle buddies any time of the day.

by wonderopolis

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Animals have something to offer everyone. Whether it is company or protection. It is apparent though that many of the characteristics we see in domesticated animals are bred into them as a result of humans naturally selecting the features they desire. Some dogs are bread to be placid whilst others to herd sheep’s. Some horses are bread for speed whilst others for stamina. What does this tell you? Animals are kept because we can benefit from them, this innate human nature. To do what we can for ourselves.

by Keele

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Pets have evolved to become acutely attuned to humans and our behavior and emotions. Dogs, for example, are able to understand many of the words we use, but they’re even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. And like any good human friend, a loyal dog will look into your eyes to gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you’re thinking and feeling (and to work out when the next walk or treat might be coming, of course).

by helpguide

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#sayingno #psychology

My anxiety was too bad to come up with clever ways of saying no so I went the cold turkey method and just started bluntly saying "Nah I can't". You really find out who likes you for you, and who previously liked you because you always said yes. But my god the amount of times the past few years I've been cussed out, judged, threatened, and once even punched in the face. All for saying no. It is an absolutely wild world we live in, I'd highly recommend learning more clever and proper ways to say no. Donэt do my method unless you're absolutely ready for confrontation.  Plus side, my business is handled quickly now. It also expanded into other skills and now I am super good at making split decisions on a whim. That's also an often underappreciated skill. Sometimes stopping to take time to think about a choice and the consequences can lead to more consequences. Make a choice and deal with any consequences later! 

by cabavion

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100% of the time someone that's not my boss tells me to do something like this i say something to the effect of "I can't, i'm swamped with.." and then list every single thing i can think of that i need to do in the next week or so. Eventually they get the point and stop asking. If you do something for someone once they'll just ask for more.

by PatrickMorris

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You smile and nod and then simply don't do whatever it was she asked you to do. When it becomes a problem that the work hasn't been done it will prompt a situation where she tries to blame you. You deny all knowledge and ask your boss when you were assigned your coworkers tasks because obviously you don't recall your boss asking you to do them and your coworker has no right or authority to assign them to you, so that would be strange if they had wouldn't it? Problem solved.

by plasticineGod

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- My name is Amrita.
- Zion.
- Zion? Beautiful name.
- Yeah. Thank you.
- How do you find Thailand?
- Well, you know, I just got here, but I like it.

🔥 How do you find (Thailand)?
Как тебе (Тайланд)?

#whitelotus

- So, Sybil, what are you up to, dear?
- Nothing much, working.

🔥 What are you up to?
Чем занимаешься?

🔥 Nothing much
Ничем особенным

#downtonabbey

- How are things?
- Great. Linda works me to the bone, but that’s what I signed up for.

🔥 How are things?
Как дела?

🔥 Linda works me to the bones
Линда с меня семь шкур спускает

🔥 that’s what I signed up for
Я сама на это подписалась

#houseofcards