Go to Reading, Not the Movies
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Instead of going to the movies for some time off, go and read.
Sometimes, you simply need a break from parenting and other stresses of life. A lot of times, this means getting away and doing something that you enjoy. Whatever you enjoy, you should definitely take time to yourself every few months (at least) to get away from it all and rejuvenate yourself. You will feel much better coming back into your responsibilities after doing so.
In the past, one way that I would get away from it all would be to go to the movies. Going to the movies alone is quite relaxing as you don’t have to worry about kids being good, they won’t be interrupting constantly and you can just get lost in the movie. Enjoying the sound of a good story on the screen while alone is great - you might try it sometime if you’re skeptical.
Of course, the downside to the theater is that there’s that constant smell of popcorn. Popcorn is really good, and can actually be a really healthy snack idea. However, the popcorn at the theater is anything but healthy - it’s absolutely delicious. It’s so good that I eat way too much of it. I avoid buying popcorn when going to the theater for this reason. There are lots of other things at the theater as well, none of them healthy to eat. If you’re trying to focus on a healthier lifestyle then the theater simply isn’t great for that.
Instead of going to the theater for some alone time, head to the park and spend a couple of hours with a book. It can be one of the most relaxing ways to spend a couple of hours, and you get to enjoy focused reading time which is often hard to do at home, even when using many of the tips and tricks that we recommend. Getting lost in a book can make you feel like you are in a totally different world - you can become far more immersed in the world by spending longer periods of time reading.
When going to the park for reading, take a blanket along with you as well. Find somewhere that you can lay it out and you can both sit and lay down for your reading. Reading in the warm sun on a nice day is extremely calming and relaxing as well. You may find that taking a power nap will actually benefit you as well. For myself, about 15 minutes of laying down in the sun and reading will lead to me being extremely tired. Taking a 15 minute power nap completely rejuvenates me and I can spend the rest of my time reading.
Make sure that you bring your Kindle for reading with you as well. Even if you have a physical book, you don’t want to run out of things to read and you may either finish the book you’re reading or find that you’re not interested in finishing it. Whatever the case may be, having your Kindle on hand wherever you go is always nice as you never know when you’ll have some extra time for reading.
Bring your own snacks with you for your reading outing. Vegetables are great for snacking on, but if you’ll be out over lunch then you can make it a picnic. Whatever the case may be, having a little something to snack on may help you to keep focused as well. Definitely have some water close by as well.
Reading outings by myself are simply one of the best ways to spend an afternoon or a couple of hours. I come back to my parenting responsibilities absolutely refreshed and ready to get back at it. If you’re looking for a way to rejuvenate and get away, consider a reading afternoon in the sun.
