Relaxation tips for one with little time to relax

I find that I feel incredible after 15 minutes of meditation. It might seem like a long time to "do nothing" but there are some great guides out there to get you started. Purposely quieting my busy mind has saved me so much sanity over the years. Good luck!

Absolutely block time off for yourself. If your SO can't understand why you need alone time, then that person isn't supporting you, and a one-sided relationship isn't a good relationship for anyone. Make an appointment every weekend (it doesn't have to be all day, but maybe a whole morning or afternoon) where you shut off the phone, and the computer, and all distractions (including time with the SO) and just do what relaxes you, be that yoga or reading a good book or getting a massage or just vegging. Your time is worthwhile, so treat it (and yourself) like it's worthwhile.

I've found that solo moderate exercise both gives me alone time and also gives me a chance to think. I personally do yoga or Pilates videos, which I can do on my computer in my living room, are of fixed length, take about half an hour, and occupy my brain enough to keep me from getting bored as I try not to fall over, but don't actually demand intellectual effort. Plus I'm stronger, have more energy, and a number of my annoying RSI symptoms have gone away.

Can you run or cycle home from work? 30-60mins exercise twice a day will make you fitter, get you some vitamin D (good for mood), and help you decompress after work. Failing that, go running or swimming or something in the evenings. I know your SO is clingy (and I remember all your old questions) but it is a pretty unreasonable and controlling person who says you can't go out for a run twice a week (if they literally won't allow you to leave the house unchaperoned I think you've mischaracterised your problem a little).

Schedule in one-on-one time with your spouse. It can really help to have a 15-30 minute catch up when you get home, then time alone for a couple of hours, then more one-on-one time. Let them know when you will next be spending 'extrovert time' with them, and really try and be ON with them then (physical contact, eye contact!), but don't compromise on the breaks. Further, check in with them about what kind of attention makes them feel best - not how long, but if it was just 30 minutes, what would feel better? I had an even more introverted than I BF, and time spent with me where he didn't look me in the face, and avoided sitting next to me on the couch was not helping - I had to keep telling him if he wasn't up for having me around, could he please let me know and get some introvert time instead, so that he could feel genuinely happy to see me when he next saw me? Being with him when he was telling me he wanted me over, but was avoiding touching me, left me feeling deeply rejected. And I actually understood the dynamic that was happening! An extrovert might, in desperation, keep trying to spend more time with the introvert, and unwittingly place themselves in a situation where they feel further rejected. Go for a walk, go for a run, time outside will help. Go camping for a weekend if you can, or somewhere where you are actually fully away from your responsibilities. Figure out if you have any money to throw at a stress point to make it go away. Cleaning, massage, food delivery. Someone to come help you sort out a room/throw out stuff, so it doesn't stress you out further.

I vote for sleeping. I've been depressed and at those points staying in bed and avoiding life isn't ideal but when I'm coming down out of stressful periods - going to bed early on clean sheets and not doing anything but recharging my body is the best

I vote for either journaling or meditation. With both, I feel like my brain fully resets and recharges within about 15 minutes. And both I think help with building long-term mindfulness so while you'll still be stressed, you won't be as stressed about the fact that you're stressed.

Get a massage. Preferably one that's at least 90 min long. I tend to prefer the Thai style - there's nothing like a little, middle-aged Thai woman walking on your back working the kinks out, to get you to relax. There's also yoga. Try to find a Restorative Yoga class. http://darrenmain.com/practice/restorative-yoga

I'm also an introvert & I've put some time into learning how to relax. To find the time: Figure out exactly when you need to re-charge by yourself, e.g., do you need an hour right after work? Or just sometime in the evening? It'll be easier for your SO if you can say you need 60 minutes or 90 minutes to decompress and then afterward you'll spend the evening with them-- as opposed to "I need alone time" and then you disappear for who knows how long. See if you can spend most of a weekend day alone as well. Or maybe just a full afternoon. It is not selfish to negotiate for this. Regarding how to relax: If you don't exercise regularly, now is the time to start. If you've been inactive, a 10 or 20 minute walk at lunch, or right after you get home from work, can be hugely helpful. It's both energizing and calming. I know that sounds impossible but it is. On the weekend you can find a trail and go for a bit longer. If meditation is helpful, try listening to guided meditations. Insight Timer is a great iPhone app with a lot of guided meditations. It also allows you to just do a timed meditation. The headspace app will walk you through exercises to learn mindfulness meditation, if you want to do that. And finally, a suggestion that's a bit more on the woo side-- consider a few sessions with a licensed hypnotist. They can hypnotize you in the office and give you a recording of the session (my hypnotherapist has a CD recorder for this purpose) and then you can listen to it at home as a relaxation aid.