After a hard day’s work, you want to relax. You reach for your phone, the generous dopamine giver and go straight to a social media app. But is that really relaxing?
Sure, you can see a few pictures and videos worth a laugh; however, scrolling and dragging down to refresh can lead to more anxiety.
It’s not your fault that social media is so appealing; after all, it was designed to be as addictive as a casino machine, capturing our attention with every swipe and tap.
There are thousands of people on the other side of the screen paid to keep you on it.
Today, I suggest 5 alternative leisure habits that can make you feel truly relaxed.
1. Walking
This is likely not what you were expecting. But, hold on, let me explain. Walking takes you from your daily routine and clears your mind. It helps you relax.
A study found that “the more people walk each day, the more energetic they feel and the better their mood. Although intuitively it would seem that walking more reduces energy, the opposite is true. More walking is associated with more energy. In addition to more energy and better mood, self-esteem and happiness increase when people walk more.”
This is even more beneficial if you are working from home.
Not only does walking improve your mood, it improves your fitness, lowers the risk of blood pressure, and is good for your bones.
And when going for a walk, remember to take a pen and paper. You may get much-needed ideas and ha-ha moments.
2. Reading fiction books
Here, I’m being specific with fiction books as opposed to non-fiction books, as not all non-fiction books are relaxing.
Fiction books give you a chance to disengage. Your mind travels as your hands flips through the pages. You sink into your chair and enjoy a good story. It’s even better if you’re reading a sweet tale.
Apart from helping you relax, fiction books increase your vocabulary width and help you develop empathy. I know this from reading A spell of good things. I finished this book with a wide range of emotions – annoyance, disappointment, and pity. A good fiction book connects you to the characters, their actions and their emotions.
Books are a good way to destress.
Check out my blog post on tips to read more.
3. Music
Whether you are listening to songs or you are the music maker, music is soothing.
Have you ever wondered why songs are so relaxing? Or how the combination of sounds form melodies that we love? I went to Netflix documentary “Explained” to find out. The first part of this documentary is on Music.
Here is what I learnt:
Music connects us to our feelings. Some of them are happy tones, some are sad tones. Surprisingly, I found that sounds and tones are cultural. Happy tones in one culture can be sad tones in another.
“There is something magical about music’s power over our mood. It doesn’t have to be Mozart. It’s been well-documented that music of any kind can help get anyone, including athletes at the very top of their field, in the right frame of mind to perform”
– Netflix documentary – Explained (Part 1 – Music)
Play a song. It is inexpensive. Sometimes, free. And if you can, learn a musical instrument. It’s worth the while.
4. DIY projects
DIY (“do-it-yourself”) projects provide creative outlets. It involves creating, building or repairing things on your own.
This is what Cal Newport in his book “Digital Minimalism” refers to as high-quality leisure.
You may wonder, but I’m trying to rest, how does this help me?
See what Arnold Bennett says “…mental faculties are capable of a continuous hard activity; they do not tire like an arm or a leg. All they want is change – not rest, except in sleep”.
High-quality leisure makes us feel good and makes us perform better.
Here are other benefits of relaxing DIY or high-quality leisure activities:
- It allows us to express our creativity.
- It helps us develop a skill.
- There is an incredible satisfaction and pride when you survey what you’ve just created. No amount of scrolling can beat that.
- It is a great opportunity to bond with family and friends.
- It can be good for your pockets. You build something yourself and you save money.
- And most importantly, for the purpose of this blog post, it relieves your stress.
5. Have lunch with a friend
This is an underrated leisure activity. Talking with a friend or acquaintance over a platter of sumptuous meal offers a range of physical and social benefits:
- It allows you to connect with a friend. You catch-up, share exciting news, and get to know each other better.
- You enjoy the savory delight that food offers
- It improves your mood and alleviates feelings of loneliness.
- Also, shared experiences increase your friendship bond.
In a world buzzing with digital distraction, quality relaxation can sometimes take a backseat.
We have explored several options from flipping through a book to taking a stroll.
Of course, your choice of leisure activity depends on your personality, your mood, and your preference.
So, when next, you’re tempted to relax with social media, consider these options, your mental and physical wellbeing will thank you.
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