Can Someone Teach Me How to Relax?
August 3rd, 2010 by Michael Kwan
Allow me to explain. When I am sitting in front of my computer over the course of a standard work day, I am occupied with writing articles, editing images, replying to emails, updating social media accounts and so forth. Some of the time isn’t completely productive, as I can get distracted with Facebook and YouTube like anyone else, but my time is occupied by doing something.
When it comes to leisure time, as would be the case with a long weekend, I feel compelled to continue doing something. Again, this isn’t necessarily to say that I feel the urge to be productive with something related to work (though that is sometimes part of it). I can sit in front of the television and play video games. I can make another attempt at the Grouse Grind. As long as I’m doing something, the situation isn’t so bad.
It gets somewhat troublesome, however, when there is an “empty” time slot in there. During this time, it is probably in my best interest to relax, unwind, and do nothing. Just vegetate and allow the internal batteries to recharge. Just swing around in a hammock overlooking the sunset like the person in the image above. The problem is that I can’t do that. I simply cannot convince my mind to go blank.
Interestingly enough, this issue has very little to do with work ethic or my sleep-wake schedule. It’s more about being able to do nothing. I grow restless. This probably also explains why I’ll oftentimes have trouble falling asleep (with my mind still running a mile a minute), but very little trouble staying asleep.
What are your thoughts? Are you afflicted with the same condition? Do you have suggestions on how to relax completely? I’m starting to think that an absolute escape to somewhere a little more remote could “reset the system” in such a way that I can do nothing.
Tags: leisure, work from home, work-life balance
Filed under Personal Development.
Ahh the affliction of the 21st century. You’re not alone. It’s near impossible to turn off your brain when you’re alone. You’re always going to want to do *something* whether it’s the dishes, vacuuming, watching TV, dusting, laundry, what have you.
The very best way to ‘unwind’ for me, is to get lost in a book, another world (World of Warcraft, for example – or any other computer game), or relax in a pool with a friend and just talk about random stuff. I find that I’m most bored when I have nothing to do and no one to do it with. That’s the worst because when I’m bored, I eat. And then nothing fits.
I tend to eat when I’m bored too. Should really swap that habit for something else.
You don’t have to swap the habit, just change what you eat. If you change the intake to fruit, nuts and celery you will actually see a loss in weight.
I’m the same way. I always say I’d like to take a vacation doing nothing but lieing on a beach and drinking, but that would get old after the first cocktail I think. I’d have to read, or have a laptop.
That being said it is actually impossible to do nothing, or so Stephen Fry told me on QI. Having recently had the opportunity to do nothing but sit around (broken ankle), I can conclusively say it’s over-rated anyhow!
I don’t mind tanning/taking a nap in the sun, but I don’t think I’d be able to do that every day. Or maybe I can.
I’ll have to try it & let you know.
I’ve done nothing but Starcraft II in a day. Does that count? Hmm… That’s technically research. Crap!
Actually Michael, you don’t have to veg to make your mind blank and actually rest. You just need to pick the right activity.
When I want to veg I do Tai Chi, Chi Gung or vacuum the floor. The other thing is to listen to some Dean Evenson music or New Age music that you can just let the mind slow down with.
do some work man , sport also , or if you need to , try to find some nice girl at a bar and they will know what to do to make you relax.. lol
I would take a good sleep and sharping my pencil and tidy my home take my cat a walk around my neighbours .
I have that problem too. Its funny i have different groups of friends for this reason. I have a group that is active and does pick up sports like soccer and football on the weekends. Then I have friends that chill and fish and go swimming, then I have friends who go out and have fun at bars. I have different groups to go with different moods. By having different groups of friends I never get bored or stagnant, if I do, I switch it up.