My most recent de-stressor has been my backyard. I've been working 2nd shift so get home around 11:30pm. The house and neighborhood are quiet but I'm not quite ready for sleep so I've been lighting a small fire in our fire pit, lighting a couple citronella torches to keep the bugs at bay, pouring a small glass of wine and reading by torchlight for about an hour. I can't begin to tell you how much I find myself looking forward to what feels like a stolen hour.
Gardening is my "go to" de-stressor. In the months immediately after Sean's death I literally tore out 20+ years worth of ivy in my garden beds. I figured it was cheaper than therapy and would probably last longer since I would most likely be battling the ivy for years. Turns out I was very efficient. Only one little spot tried to come back and only once. Since then "dirt therapy" has helped me work through many bad spots. The neighbors know that they may find me in the yard digging and weeding in the middle of the night, in the middle of a downpour, with tears running down my face or giggling out loud. And they don't question me. My next door neighbor is also Mom to an angel-child and she just comes over and hugs me without a word regardless of how silly my behavior looks to others. We don't talk about our angels but she has been a blessing.
Penny - Sean's Mom