relaxing

[Thumbelina1988]

Being around children almost 24/7 can obviously be stressful? How do you relax or destress yourself at camp?

I am looking for a relaxing,calming shower gel/wash but I'll probably buy it in WalMart. Are there any products you use that help? I just know that if I don't have something my back really hurts as my muscles seize up the more stress I have.

Thanks.

[Trees]

At least in my area, counselors have to be careful about what soaps they use--mosquitoes and other insects like the sweet ones. Something lemon or lavender scented would probably be all right.

As for relaxing in general... hanging out with friends and just being an ADULT for awhile is one of the best things. If there's a lot of staff drama going on, it's much more relaxing to take a little hike and be alone for awhile than hang out with a lot of other people.

[happy_camper]

Take a shower (with any soap and hot water!)

Take a nap!

Do some laundry and be by yourself in the staff lounge for a while

Just hanging out without doing anything at all!

[KiwiCRB]

Just don't think or worry about the kids for a while. That sounds bad because we are there for them but if you are too stressed out to do your job it isn't fun for anyone, especially you. I always read a book or a magazine to relax because it takes me away from the camp mindset for a while.

[Angel_Jenny]

I write in journal or write letters! for me that lets out any tied or stressed emotions! At home though I have a lavender cushion which helps u relax :)! Not sure about everyone else but I always had someone on staff I could go talk to because they were all good at different stuff. if I thought I was going to get stressed I spoke to them to prevent it and with them all being there longer than me they had good advice and suggestions :)! In Time off I would sit alone by the lake for a few minutes which also calmed me!

Jenny x

[annknee]

i take a book and sit n the moking area for my 2 hour daily breaks, for my nights off and days off we go out in the evening and during the day do Laundry, move our gear to our next unit and other important stuff like that

[Smudge]

I swim when I can, I also write in my journal, read a book, work on Secret buddy gifts or do cross stitch, call home or hangout with others who have time off. On days and evenings off when we could go off camp - we would try to do so even if it was only to walk to the local uni campus or catch a bus to walmart from said campus, cos if you stay on camp during these times then you usually end up working for at least some of your time off.

[Flukie]

Get off camp! I love my kids a ton but I need a break from them at times, even though they are 16-18 years old. So just going off camp for a few hours, even if it is to shop for camp (lol) is a stress reliever.

[clarabelle1985]

i found some quite time ( the chaple or back poarch of staff acomodation was my place of choice often i jsut sit but often wrote in journal or read or taling to other staff bout no kids stuff for while helped

[these.city.lights]

apart from writing a small journel Im going to be exploring on my time off!
I wanna see lots of things!!!!

[annknee]

I went with the ntention to explore th elocal area, and we went to Seattle on our 4 day, but we didnt even get to Snoqualmie falls (the local waterfall) untill camp was out and we were just loitering until peoples flights/the day when we had said we would leave!