What do you do when you can’t do anything? Exactly, nothing just relax. So many people today are not accustomed to relaxing or don’t even know how. Better yet, most people are not familiar with relaxing. We live in a world where people are always on the go. People don’t get to enjoy doing nothing, because doing nothing means feeling “un-worthy.” Everyone is always posting about their new purchases, accomplishment, fancy dinner date, new hairstyles, or what next big thing is happening in their lives. 
People feel that they don’t have much of a life if they are not constantly posting on social media. During these times of doing nothing, try enjoying it. Get back to making memories, get back to connecting with your family, better yet, get back to a close connection with the people who matter the most. Let’s not look at the current situation of isolation as a bad word, but as a way to relax. We can all do this, and it don’t cost a thing. Relaxing takes work and some getting used to. Below are just a few examples that a family can do together.
1. Go through vacation pictures.
If you don’t have any pictures than talk about the memories, you have from that family vacation. Laugh at the good and the bad times during that trip. Especially when the drive was horribly long, and all parents heard was “Are we there yet?” or “I have to use the restroom.”
2. Enjoy a movie everyone remembers watching together.
Parents most likely put movies on for their children and most likely watched the movie with them. Discuss the movie, and what everyone thoughts were of the movie back then. Discuss how old you were or what was happening in life. Enjoying snacks and tune out everything and everyone that is wanting your attention. This will bring back good memories and create new ones.
3. Talk about accomplishments.
That is why they are called accomplishments, because it took dedication and perseverance from not just the person but probably from the whole family and so everyone should discuss the accomplishments.
4. Talk about goals.
Don’t have doom and gloom conversations but have uplifting and positive talks, even about the future. Parents must be hopeful in front of their children and spouse. Set goals and everyone talk about them.
5. Be vulnerable with others.
This is the time where you can discus feelings that have not been discussed in a long time because of the busy lifestyle we have grown accustom to. Anyone can start it off. This activity can be named, “I.”
1. I am sorry for……
2. I need(ed)…….
3. I would like……
4. I feel……
5. When ____________(an event happened)__________ I felt___________________.
If families don’t use this opportunity to resolve some small bumps in the road, then it may never get resolved. Make sure everyone knows that this is not a blame game but a way to express oneself by kindly and calmly opening yourself up. Close this activity with lots of hugs, smiles, laughs, and joy.
So many times, people don’t take the time they have to make or even keep the connections they have with their families. Let your guard down, relax and enjoy being confined with the people who you diligently work so hard for. Be kind and blessed with clean hands…
Written by: Gerri Dominguez, LPC – Therapist – New Braunfels location
