I understand that I have to relax every now and then, however I am really struggling with it, being constantly in an endless loop of:
- Having a lot of energy and doing a bunch of stuff for a couple of weeks.
- Getting exhausted to the point I cannot control my impulsions and wreck my daily routine
- Try to rest only to fall in a depressive state for a couple of weeks.
- Collect myself up and repeat from step 1.
Trying to do low effort activities like watching a series or playing video games, is addictive, I stay up late without being able to stop, and end up more tired.
The hobbies I like require focus, and that’s what I am trying to avoid. Examples include programming and chess.
Going out with friends is nice but drains my social energy, after a couple of weekends out I need to stay in.
Chores sometimes work, but other times I feel guilty about the state of cleanliness of my home.
So, how do you relax/rest? Got a magic recipe? Are you struggling like me?
Edit: I just want to say this community is awesome, thanks for the support.
- Digital hoarding - I just like to collect stuff I’ll never consume, including books, games, music, TV shows, movies, audiobooks, etc. I find it soothing to compile collections and a thrill to find rare and/or previously thought lost stuff.
- Filling in the lines with color - Coloring books, paint by numbers, Lake app. I get to turn off my brain and focus on the lines. I don’t care about the colors that much, which leads to some pretty funky results.
- Power Wash Simulator - same as above but in reverse. I just turn off my brain and clean.
- Practicing guitar scales - Again; brain off, muscle memory on. The pain helps too. My mind wanders less when my fingers hurt. Plus it feels good when I check out and somehow still hit every note. It’s like my brain and I are just passengers looking out the window of the car while muscle memory takes us on a road trip on a sunny fall afternoon.
EDIT: I should note that I suffer from chronic, severe insomnia. I’ll go to sleep and two hours later be awake again. My solutions are for relaxation, not sleep.
Hardspace Shipbreaker is GREAT as a chillout game, especially if you play in easy/non-time-limited mode. I’ve spent HOURS slicing and dicing starships into their constituent components :D
That is a fucking great game. I should fire it up again.