I live between two lakes that are natural bird sanctuaries. It never fails to fill my heart to watch the birds fly by sometimes just one, sometimes in droves of 50 or more. Doesn't matter how stressed I am, it always calms me to feel the cool breeze, listen to the ocean, watch the sunset...

There is a beautiful tropical beach called Palm Cove just 20 mins drive from here.It is not only decorated with a magnificent variety of palms, but also has the most beautiful paper bark trees .These paper barks are a reminder of my mother and my childhood in Victoria, so they soothe my heart.Although I live so close, I rarely make it to this beach, of course due to my ill health.However on those rare and special days when it is achievable, I spend some time lying on that beach, listening to the sound of the ocean.I can never escape the weakness of my body, but it soothes my mind.It brings back treasured memories of holidays in Bali, lying on the beach and being massaged by three Balinese ladies all at the same time.They, aware of my sick body, and seeing my tears, nurturing me with their hands and happy laughter.

Great topic. And I'm going to try the head wrapping thing! :)

For me, since I have become mostly housebound and often bedridden, I'm having to learn how to be relaxed regardless of my circumstances or surroundings. SO hard to do with this illness, right? Who would have thought it would be so challenging to lay in bed so much? ;) It's a constant challenge and I'm still very much a student!

My arsenal of tools keeps growing. When I can be upright, I find the simplest things relax me...watching the birds from my window, watering my plants, a hot shower, using my reflexology foot roller or scalp massager, accupressure or listen to music. When I'm bed bound... I meditate, send loving energy to my family and friends, read, journal, scroll Pinterest, watch funny YouTube videos or my favorite...snuggle with my fur babies.
If it's a bed bound and basic needs day...well, I guess I go the only place I can...within.

Hugs to all!

Thanks for all of the great comments. It just came to me, maybe the originator of the turban suffered from CFS. :)

I find it so interesting about wrapping your head!

Several years ago, I discovered that wearing a hoodie helps me sleep. It helped me break the 16-year insomnia cycle!

That's not to say that I sleep great because I don't, but I l sleep a lot better (fewer awakenings during the night) and a lot longer.

I thought it was because our house was so cold, but we have since moved to a warmer climate and I stopped wearing it and don't sleep nearly as well so I am now looking for a lighter weight hoodie to wear at night.

What beautiful messages that I'm reading here, thank you.

Getting out in nature is the best medicine for me, and that might just mean sitting on my patio and feeling the warm sun. It seems to connect me with my whole self not just the sick self. Years ago, I would walk to the end of a pier that was located on the intercoastal waterway adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, and I would feel such peace. Surrounded by the beauty of it all would comfort me immensely.

Now, too, like some of you I have to go within and connect with that whole part of me. That could mean meditating on the sofa or going to very gentle yoga classes where beautiful music and soft movements help me reconnect with that healing place within. Or just being in the present moment and being aware of my breath can bring me peace and even give me some renewed energy as well....

The thing that brings me the greatest sense of relaxation is watching the birds in my yard or the light and shadows as they move across my pine trees throughout the day. If I'm able to leave my house, I love sitting in my car at a nearby forest preserve. I listen to the birds and insects, observe the myriad types of trees and wildflowers, and gaze at the pond surrounded by cattails. It recharges my batteries so that I can be back inside for another long stretch.

Those of you with cats know how warm and relaxing it is to have a cat take a nap in your lap.

OK, I'm not getting mushy on everybody....this is the truth. One of THE most relaxing things for me, is to sit or lie beside my husband and have him hold me. The hugging "thing" is just the warmest, safest, most comforting feeling...ever!!

I realized, that as a healthy person, I spenr a good portion of every day at work, hugging somebody. A co-worker, a patient in the office (I worked in the medical field all my life. I was always surrounded by lots of people)....kids that got lollipops while they held still for shots always hugged me. Then when I became ill and had to quit work, HUGGING STOPPED! I really, really miss those people hugs. My husband makes it a point to squeeze me tight, and hug me often. I just need that human touch.

We all need somebody. Get a hug! We need to physically touch someone and show and receive affection. This illness takes too much away from us to leave feeling physically isolated.

I"M HUGGING YOU NOW!!! Can ya feel it?????

Nothing wrong with mushy! Thanks for the cyber hug.

I do love to get outdoors myself. Laying on a blanket in the park is nice. I only live an hour from the beach but have been so sick the last 10 yrs that I've been unable to make the trip through the mts to get there. That will be my goal this year.

I did manage to move my bedroom furniture around this past year and I hung up a bird feeder outside my window so I can watch the little birdies and can also watch the sunset.

Skinny binny, that's interesting. I can't really go outdoors comfortably unless it's a very cloudy day or nighttime. The sun affects me very badly, for a while it was thought I had Lupus but my ana always comes back neg. If I get out into the sun, even just sitting, my body pain and exhaustion the next day are double if I'm out at night or on a cloudy day. I have uv blocking film on all my windows. My eyes get inflammed even with really good sunglasses (uveitis). Sitting in the sun in the car only lasts about 15 min before I'm really nauseous. I have large funny looking but functional hats I wear when I'm a passenger in the sun.....
I'm happy for you that you can get sunshine, Vit D is good for us...

I find that meditation has really relaxed me and I have become more at peace and calm. Also sitting in parks/nature, by the lake and watching good shows on tv or a movie. There is a man made beach 15 min walk from me. I sit in the chair, put my feet in the sand and pretend that I am somewhere else, on vacation :).

The head wrap thing is interesting. My thing with my head is to run my finger nails over my scalp from front to back, very slowly and gently, I find it oddly soothing. I wonder if it's the slight pressure that is the trick.

And cats, yes, when my cat comes and snuggles in my lap, he puts himself in the most baby-like position and stretches his paw out to lay on my chest as if he's holding me and comforting me.

The mountains......ahhhhhhhhh......if I lay face up on the sofa I can look out on the mountains that are just north of my home. I have always found that view to be especially soothing, I get an even better view if I sit in one of the rockers in my front room....bigger window and still comfortable to sit.

I also have a painting in my family room of a sunset over the central California coast......my favorite place to be......it's the most amazingly peaceful feeling I get when I look at it, and this way I always get a sunset......even when I'm stuck inside.

And touch.....after dinner my husband and I will sit on the sofa and watch TV, I usually put my feet up on the sofa near his lap and he will lightly stroke around my ankle or lower leg with his fingertips. Just that light and warm touch is so soothing and really relaxes me.

My husband built a house 2 years ago(we were in a trailer till it got too cold, that was a stretch) When I lay down in bed, I can see our bird-feeder on our deck, also at night I can see the stars through our window by the bed. I am very grateful for all this beauty. Isabelle1954