how do you wind down?

That sounds like a lovely evening!

I mainly drink. I know I've had a bad day at work if I'm longing for a drink around midday.

Baking works for me too. Oddly, cooking doesn't - it just winds me up. A bubble bath, reading a book or pounding the treadmill at the gym can work too. A massage when I'm feeling flush - though that has to be booked in advance and I don't usually know when I'm going to need it.

Stroking my cat works too - he's all soft and purry. If baking didn't result in me eating the results all the time, I'd do a lot more of it.

Sorry to hear you've had a bad day - pleased you've turned it round!

Bubble bath followed by watching an episode of Buffy the Vampire slayer.

Drink a glass or two of red, treat myself to something nice, snuggle up to H-sometimes all 3!

Ooh they all sound like very nice things to do to chill out.

my cats are far from relaxing unfortunately ? and they get in the bath.

This time of year my knitting pins are out. Very satisfying and most productive and best bit is I can't eat it so won't put weight on!

Failing that a nice bath and hot chocolate with marshmallows (normally wine but medication is not allowing at the mo)

I watch In the Night Garden but admittedly that's more for the toddler than for me. I have a glass or 2 of red wine and have an early night with a few sections of the Sunday papers with a mug of rooibos. Baking also relaxes me but that's definitely reserved for the weekends in this house.

I can't be bothered with baking and would no doubt put on a few more pounds if I did as I lurve cakes & biscuits!

I do find cooking relaxing, provided I know what I'm doing and have enough time! Surfing, reading & playing DS also relax me.

Yoga. making risotto. drinking wine. preferably with the second two occuring at the same time.

I talk to my fish?

Or have a bath with some comfort reading.

Definitely cooking - but it has to be comfort food, nothing too complicated that has the potential to stress me out - or I go to the gym and take it out on the treadmill.

A nice long walk to a good coffee shop, and I have a special folder of 'comfort catering' recipes: slightly fiddly yet not too challenging things like chinese dumplings, meatballs, cakes beaten by hand and not using a mixer...

? at the cats wanting to get in the bath.

I usually drink wine to wind down after a bad day - can't tonight though as I've to go out for work again at 11pm ?

Tonight I have lit some lovely candles and painted my nails, feeling sleepy now..

I tend to make my self a cuppa, watch trashy TV and come on here

I've started to do this more, recently. About half an hour or so before the time I want to sleep, I go upstairs and start reading my book. It's a Marian Keyes one, so has me in stitches after the first 2 sentences ?

I also drink peppermint tea, and chamomile, honey and vanilla tea in the evening, depending on. Then I make sure the bed's been made earlier in the evening/day before I get to bed- looks more welcoming that way!

Days like today, that just could not have gone ANY worse *touch wood!*, I went to the gym. I now feel calm and collected again ?

Music, music, music. I lie in the dark and listen to something soothing through my headphones. It can be anything from Brian Kennedy or Frank Sinatra to John Williams playing classical guitar.

Go for a swim - and if its empty like last night, just float around in the pool with my eyes shut.

Bliss!

A box set of either House or Coldfeet gets me through the difficult times, it's good escapism and absorbing too. I watch an episode or 2 in the evening and it distracts me from everything else. Ideally a cuddle with the cat helps too (depending on his mood).

I usually find curling up in bed with my book relaxes me and sends me to sleep as does a nice chocolate digestive with a cup of tea.