That is a good question, I still haven't found the answer. And my stress relief was denied me from the moment of conception. I used to run, at least two times a week. 3-4 if I could swing it and felt like I needed it. My SO and I took turns going to the gym early in the morning to run some miles. And that was my outlet and stress relief, and mental breake, "breather", etc. So it was really something I didn't think I could do without. High-risk pregnancy put a stop to it right from the positive test. And since then I've been wondering. I was allowed to swim, earlier in pregnancy, but it was never the same as running for me. Not at all. I can't wait to get back in my running shoes! But I don't know when that'll be, not allowed the first 6 weeks after birth, and then I have to wait until baby is big enough so I know he'll be fine without the boob for at least an hour so I can leave him with SO to go run. Ah, someday!
I don't have the patience to do anything crafty, just not me.
And I don't think books, magazines or shows relief stress. Or surfing online.
I've found that I *can* get some stress relief from Yoga and QiGong, I'm allowed to do the really low-key stuff that involves a lot of breathing and relaxing, tiny movements and such.
And also, listening to my HypnoBabies. Best results if I put the TNS (/TENS) machine on at the same time (also helps with PGP), or lie on my accupressure mat.
And I'm a singer, so singing can do it sometimes. 1. soprano, so the really high notes are good.
I love the bonding time with the baby too, and I feel really lucky to have this strong bond with him. I know his sleep and awake patterns and such. And I know what he responds to, and what calmes him down. I really know him as much as I can from the outside. And that is precious. It's been important to me all the way, if this was the only time I got with him, then I wanted to really know him and love him. But that's not about stress relief for me, it's just one of the few actual positive things about bed rest.