Are you looking for some new ways to relax? I am! You know, one of the stereotypes about getting older is that the older we get the less active we become. Well, I don’t know about you, but, I am busier than ever!

I may have left my corporate career behind, but, I am managing my own business, following my passions, helping my family, volunteering, exploring, learning and growing. If anything, it feels like I need to find more time to relax.

To get some new ideas, I recently asked the women in our community to share their ways to relax. Their answers were amazing. You can read the entire discussion here and I have included 42 of their answers below. I hope that one or two of them help you to get the relaxation that you deserve!

Here Are 42 Ways to Relax from Your Sixty and Me Sisters

Jo – “I listen to music, go for a swim, read a book or spend time in the garden. When I have time, I go for a walk on the beach and have a picnic on the rocks.”

Yvonne – “I take my dog for a walk, if the weather is good. If not, I knit, or crochet, while listening to a little classical music. My other options? Sometimes I do gentle yoga or Pilates. Or, I simply curl up with a good book.”

Kathy – “Sometimes I say a prayer over and over again, like a chant.”

Maria – “I like to read with my little dog snuggled against me. It’s heaven!”

I like to read with my little dog snuggled against me. It’s heaven! – Maria

Judi – “I like to listen to music or read with a cup of tea.”

Barbara – “I find cooking relaxing and enjoy having an afternoon nap.”

Debbie – “I enjoy reading, cross-stitching and crocheting!”

Jae Jenny – “I read, take a nap, meditate or listen to music.”

Connie – “When the season is right, I enjoy gardening. I also enjoy swinging on my 3-seater in the backyard, reading and listening to music.”

Diane – “I am a full time caregiver for my husband. As a result, taking a rest during the day is essential. To rest and rejuvenate, I take a walk with my little Doxie, Oliver.”

LeeAnn – “I love to walk on the beach, especially barefoot. I can almost feel the tension draining from my body and brain.”

Elisabeth – “To relax, I like walking through the forest or along the ocean. On a rainy day, I like to curl up on the couch and read.”

Nancy – “To relax, I walk in the garden. I love seeing which fruit and flowers are growing. I touch them, smell them, talk to them and even take pictures with them. Right now, I have tiny bananas and star fruit growing in the Florida sunshine.”

To relax, I walk in the garden. I love seeing which fruit and flowers are growing. I touch them, smell them, talk to them and even take pictures with them. – Nancy

Janice – “I’m a big believer in caring for yourself. Without self-care, you won’t have the strength to help others. I used to think that I was being selfish, but, now I know that this isn’t true.”

Mary – “I relax in many ways. To start with, I like walking with my dogs. We don’t walk far because one of them is elderly. But, we do love to walk around the park at least twice a day.”

Janice – “I take a walk every morning and listen to the sounds of nature. This time helps me to think about the direction that I want my day to take. Throughout the day, I read, sketch or do yoga.”

Cheryl – “I relax by indulging the things that I know will quiet my mind. I enjoy putting puzzles together and reading. These activities prevent my mind from racing. Even watching a movie can help with this.”

Kanani – “My favorite thing to do it looking out at Honolulu Harbour. Even lying in bed, seeing the water lapping in the harbour relaxes my mind and body.”

Bernadette – “Nature is the ultimate healer. I am also a big believer in making small things a big part of our lives.”

Jacqueline – “A relaxing day for me consists of sitting in my favorite rocking chair and doing nothing at all! I always seem to have something to do… so spending a day doing nothing is perfect!”

Suzanne – “I enjoy getting up early. Then, I do a little Bible study or nothing at all.”

Donna – “I love being in the garden… just my dogs and me. Today, to relax, I’m going to paint my concrete benches. The weather is perfect for it – no rain and pretty cool.”

Dorina – “Yesterday was my birthday. I spent it all alone. I took myself to a nice restaurant and had a lovely meal. Thankfully, I received lots of good wishes via social media. I am grateful that the sun is shining.”

Patricia – “I’m still trying to find ways to relax in retirement. I still feel like I need to be productive all the time.”

Christine – “I love to relax with a good book.  Occasionally I sneak in a nap, which is yummy. I also enjoy volunteering.”

Wendy – “I knit of crochet a little bit every day. My other relaxing activities include reading, playing with my dog, watering the yard, doing jigsaw puzzles, taking a nap or sipping iced tea.”

I knit or crochet a little bit every day. My other relaxing activities include reading, playing with my dog, watering the yard, doing jigsaw puzzles, taking a nap or sipping iced tea. – Wendy

Debbie – “When I get overwhelmed, I go for a 20-minute walk around the small town where I work. When I get home, I relax by ‘playing’ outside. In the summer, I play in the garden. In the winter, I play in the snow with my grandson or go cross-country skiing.”

Eileen – “I love watching home fixer-upper or house hunting shows on Netflix. Two days a week, I take care of my little grandson. We take a nap at the same time.”

Mitzi – “I start my day with my Sixty and Me sisters. The encouraging words help to get my day off to a good start. I also enjoy walking in nature, reading and playing with my poodle.”

Nancy – “I take time every day for the little things… playing with my dogs, sitting on the glider on my patio, reading by the lake or just watching the sailboats go by. In the afternoon, I lie down and close my eyes. Sometimes I sleep, but, other times, I just listen to music.”

Dolores – “My ideal way to relax is to sit by the pool with a good book. My other favorite places to read are the beach and my Florida room.”

Vivienne – “I put my feet up, listen to music, read a good book or meditate.”

Susan – “In the afternoon, I relax with a good book and a cup of coffee.”

Patty – “To relax, I go to a vineyard with my husband to enjoy a glass of wine. Or, I go to a coffee shop to read a good book.”

I go to a vineyard with my husband to enjoy a glass of wine. Or, I go to a coffee shop to read a good book. – Patty

Jeanie – “I remind myself to be grateful every morning.”

Carole – “It depends. Sometimes, I relax by watching a TV show. Other times, I take a walk, cook, visit a friend or read. It just depends what feels right.”

Iseult – “For relaxation, I play ball with my two dogs. They always end up making me laugh. One of them pretends not to see where the ball goes so that she can search for it! I also like to walk in nature. I listen to the birds and watch the insects, so busy in their own little lives.”

Gwen – “Most often, I relax by reading. It is interesting that most of the top items listed from the BBC show were solitary things. Maybe we all need a little ‘alone’ time to recharge our batteries.”

Karen – “To relax, I take mineral salt baths, read, day-dream, quilt and bake.”

I take mineral salt baths, read, day-dream, quilt and bake. – Karen

Terry – “I rise early in the morning to pray and plan. There is something about being alone that motivates and rejuvenates me.”

Jo-Ann – “I start my day on the porch. It’s peaceful and I enjoy hearing the birds in the morning. The squirrels are great entertainment, especially when they play with my cat.”

Jane – “I relax by taking a daily nap. I usually get up at 5:00 or 5:30am, so, by 1pm, I am ready to sit down in my comfy chair and read myself to sleep.”

Mary – “My husband and I walk our dog together every morning. His name is Flash. To relax, I also like to knit and read.”

Now it’s your turn! Please share your favorite ways to relax below.

How do you like to relax? Do you enjoy curling up with a good book? Do you spend time with your dog or cat? Do you love hanging out in the garden? Or, do you have another favorite way to relax? Please join the conversation.