My Two Favorite Ways To Relax – With $100 Nordstrom GC Giveaway

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Most of us get a little stressed out from time to time. I know I do. I admit that at first I don’t even realize that stress has built up to a point that it’s effecting daily life. Once I start to realize it sometimes I actually try to deny it, because being stressed out is a sign of weakness, right? Of course not, it’s just something I think from time to time.

Marion Cunningham never seemed to be on the verge of a meltdown. She was probably cleaned when she needed to vent. I hate to clean. Shirley Partridge? She probably got a lot of her stress out while singing. I can’t sing. Samantha Stevens? She could just tinka-tinka-tink her nose and make the situation better. I’m not a witch, although there are times my family would beg to differ. So what’s an everyday mom to do when she needs to distress and relax?

Here are two of my favorite ways to relax when I’m alone.

1. Turn the stereo on and play some of your favorite lively music, volume as loud as you like it. Lie down on the couch and close your eyes. Enjoy the music. Inevitably, if you’re like me you’ll enjoy the music enough to do one of two things – sing or dance (or secret option three which is sing and dance) – both of which are actually quite freeing. If you’re good at singing and dancing you’ll have fun. If you’re not especially talented at either one like me you’ll end up laughing at yourself. Stress relieved.
2. Get out for a while. My favorite place to unwind is actually the grocery store. I find it relaxing to go up and down every aisle, even if I don’t need anything. I like to look at the foods and think of recipe ideas in my head. This is the reason why I end up taking at least an hour in the grocery store. My mind just wanders when I’m there and I lose track of time, and often my worries for a while.

These are two things that take my mind off of what’s troubling me for a while. I also love to read and watch movies, but find when I’m super stressed I can’t follow along, which only makes me more annoyed.

Some people get stressed over entertaining. Ever wonder how to wow dinner party guests with a fantastic meal and a beautifully decorated home? No need to stress, Jen and Barb have some tips they can share to help you out. Take a look, these tips come from someone who would know – Alan Dunn, owner of Tres LA Catering.

Do you get stressed over entertaining? I don’t, but usually when I entertain it’s just family and close friends. The only time I get a little nervous is if I;ve invited someone over that’s never been over before. After all, they couldn’t know that all of my family members are always late, which is why I serve late. Or that family disputes have been known to happen over holiday meals, as have food fights. No, nothing stressful at all about those things.

How do you relax? Want some help relaxing? Jen and Barb, Mom Life is having a fun contest where they’re giving away 20 days of relaxation. The 20 Days 20 Ways contest is easy to enter, just visit the 20 Days, 20 Ways tab on the MomLife Facebook will and submit the form.

You can also find MomLife on Twitter.

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive a $100 Nordstrom GC.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment here telling me one thing that stresses you out AND one relaxation tip.

BONUS ENTRIES – LOTS OF THEM!

1 – Leave a comment on MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE stating which giveaway you’re entering. (sidebar)
1 – Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
1 – Subscribe to my RSS feed. (sidebar)
1 – Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 – Tweet I’ve entered to #win a $100 Nordstrom #giveaway from @valmg and @momlife. visit valmg.com to enter! and leave the link here.
1 – Subscribe to my YouTube channel. (sidebar)
1 – Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 – Place my button on your blog. (in sidebar)
1 – Visit one of my other blogs – From Val’s Kitchen, Game Review Network and Living With Special Needs – and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 – Visit my Mom’s blog HereAndThere.US and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry. Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

The winner will be selected using the “And the winner is” plugin. US addresses only please, no PO Boxes. This contest will end on Friday 11/18/11 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

I received monetary compensation for participating in this campaign. As always, my opinions are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.