Everything I have ever heard was that it is good for you to be with friends. Your stress hormones lower. Your blood pressure is lowered. You're engaged and connected.
But the key to this is that they need to be people whose company you enjoy and appreciate. And, activities you enjoy that utilize the alternate side of your brain that you do not customarily use daily at work, for example. For me, my friends were very eager and excited about a performance we saw at the Bucks County Playhouse which had to do with mental illness. To be transparent, my clients are not mentally ill. They, mostly, seek a sounding board, someone to assist with life issues, decisions, stress, etc. However, the play was not relaxing for me. I didn't enjoy myself, and it even affected me afterwards at our group dinner.
What works for me is when I get to use the right side of my brain, the creative/imaginative side, and that's when I truly relax. Movies, light plays, concerts, the orchestra, Broadway and the wonderful playhouses we have in the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley.
For you, decide what works best: Do you enjoy going to the "Club?" for fitness. Riding a bike, Playing tennis or some other competitive sport, reading a book, listening to comedy, taking up a new language or making pottery. The list can go on and on.
The main point is do what you enjoy. Don't force yourself to do anything that doesn't bring you joy. That is my missive for the end of 2019. Enjoy, have fun and be safe. Have a happy and healthy New Year!
But the key to this is that they need to be people whose company you enjoy and appreciate. And, activities you enjoy that utilize the alternate side of your brain that you do not customarily use daily at work, for example. For me, my friends were very eager and excited about a performance we saw at the Bucks County Playhouse which had to do with mental illness. To be transparent, my clients are not mentally ill. They, mostly, seek a sounding board, someone to assist with life issues, decisions, stress, etc. However, the play was not relaxing for me. I didn't enjoy myself, and it even affected me afterwards at our group dinner.
What works for me is when I get to use the right side of my brain, the creative/imaginative side, and that's when I truly relax. Movies, light plays, concerts, the orchestra, Broadway and the wonderful playhouses we have in the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley.
For you, decide what works best: Do you enjoy going to the "Club?" for fitness. Riding a bike, Playing tennis or some other competitive sport, reading a book, listening to comedy, taking up a new language or making pottery. The list can go on and on.
The main point is do what you enjoy. Don't force yourself to do anything that doesn't bring you joy. That is my missive for the end of 2019. Enjoy, have fun and be safe. Have a happy and healthy New Year!
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