diff --git a/note/Relaxation Toolkit.md b/note/Relaxation Toolkit.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..63e914e --- /dev/null +++ b/note/Relaxation Toolkit.md @@ -0,0 +1,66 @@ +# Stefen’s Relaxation Toolkit + +In these trying times, it's helpful to have things to fall back on to help you calm down. + +## Meditate + +- [Calm.com](https://www.calm.com) is an excellent service for meditations, music, and even bedtime stories to help you relax and… be calm. They have a daily calm meditation that is updated every day with a timely thought or theme, and many specialized meditations to help you meet your goals. Also available on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/calmdotcom). + +- [Bettersleep](http://bettersleep.com/): For those who have trouble sleeping, this website/app has completely custom soundscapes with individual sliders, bedtime stories, even relaxation routines called “Sleep Moves” to help you get better sleep. This is my absolute go-to of all my recommendations, I am particularly fond of their hypnosis tracks and cute stories. Also available on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/utopiansounds). + +- [Medito](https://meditofoundation.org/medito-app): Volunteer run ad free meditation app. A solid choice with no commitment required! + +- [Deep Meditate](https://deepmeditate.com): Another stellar app with personalized meditation plans and bedtime stories to help you any time of the day. Available only on an app. + +- [Headspace](https://www.headspace.com) is another good meditation app, and also available on YouTube. + +- If you prefer something more open ended for your meditations the [Meditative Mind youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMeditativeMind) has all kinds of nice background sounds. + +## Listen + +### Music/Sounds + +- [myNoise.net](http://mynoise.net/) is a website filled with many sound generators which can help soothe you and transport you to different places with hundreds of custom top quality soundscapes. + +- Another favorite is [Liquid Mind](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgogqJdyUFxNWjdD69kyE5Q), an excellent series of albums of very slow relaxing music. + +- [Atmosphere](https://peakpocketstudios.com) is a free app with a solid selection of sounds you can mix and match to suit your tastes. + +- If you enjoy the calming lofi style of music, check out [Walking Dog](https://www.youtube.com/c/WalkingDogMusic), a DMCA free record label available on Youtube (or wherever you prefer to get your music from) + +### Stories + +- [Pzziz](https://pzizz.com) is an excellent app of sleep stories, soft sounds and is set up for a full night’s sleep or if you just want to take a nap! See also their spinoff apps: + - [Doze](https://dozeapp.com/) A spinoff of Pzziz with a different UI. + - [Mesmerize](https://www.mesmerizeapp.com/) Another highly recommended app, it has many pre-sets so you can relax faster with less thinking. The visualizations are engaging and the hypnotism is very effective. + +- [Loona](https://loona.app) is an excellent app that has special interactive sleep stories where you color in a scene while the story unfolds! They also have regular bedtime stories and music to enjoy as well. Also available on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOwxjPkjT8TdGrEP3IsxzA). + +- Similar to Bettersleep, [Slumber](https://slumber.fm) has a huge library of bedtime stories and several relaxing sounds you can customize to help you drift to sleep. + +### Podcasts + +- The [Sleep with Me](https://www.sleepwithmepodcast.com) podcast is always available if you need someone to drone on until you fall asleep. Scoot's quirky personality and creaky voice will lull you to sleep. + +- Similar to Sleep with Me, [Sleep Whispers](https://sleepwhispers.com) is a recorded session of ramblings in a quiet almost ASMR like tone designed to give you something to listen to while you drift off. + +## Watch + +- Pluto.tv has several excellent relaxing channels. + - My favorite is [Naturescape](https://pluto.tv/live-tv/naturescape): (it is unfortunate it can be interrupted by ADs but the view is nice for being free) + - There are other channels if you just need something mindless on to have in the background making noise. You’ll also find [Bob Ross](https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/the-bob-ross-channel) there too! + +- Twitch.tv has several streams I find relaxing to watch. + - More often than not [Bob Ross](https://www.twitch.tv/bobross) is painting pictures with his almost ASMR like voice. + - Twitch also has [Cooking Shows](https://www.twitch.tv/hungry) running 24/7 which are surprisingly relaxing and 100% drama free. + - One of the more odd streams called [Nothing, Forever](https://www.twitch.tv/watchmeforever) is a seemingly AI generated sit-com in the style of Seinfeld which never seems to end... + +## Do + +- Breathe. Really, just pay attention to your breath. It’s the most basic of tools you have anywhere and anytime to help control anxiety. You’ll find this a recurring theme in nearly all of my other recommendations. + +- Writing down what’s on your mind can help dump out everything onto paper so you can come back to it later while focusing on relaxing in the here and now. + +- Coloring something either digitally or on paper can be very diverting and make you feel like a kid again :) + +- Talking with friends and loved ones can help you express what’s on your mind and together you can try to solve what’s bothering you.