10 Best Ways to Escape Reality and Relax
As the world somehow keeps spinning no matter what, it may be vital for your sanity to take a step back when you can and distance yourself from the stress of the job, the flow of news, and the pressures of your responsibilities. Here are ten of the best ways to avoid reality.
10. Return to reading books regularly.
Many of us are so used to reading on our phones, tablets and computers that we rarely pick up a real paper book. It is a simple pleasure that makes you ignore your phone for as long as possible, and an engaging book will make you forget about everything else that might bother you. Of course, depending on the subject. For many, the real challenge is finding time to read.
You can schedule a specific time or even join a book club to get a little social pressure to read the book. If you’re like me, it might take a while to get over this constant urge to check your phone, but just start with a simple and doable goal like 25 pages a day .
9. Watch movies
This is not a brain surgery. A good movie can indirectly take you on an exciting journey and let you forget about your own problems for a couple of hours. And heck, sometimes a really bad movie is even better. 2016 was full of great movies and many of them are now available on various streaming services.
I personally would recommend Sing Street on this list – a very enjoyable movie set in 1980s Dublin that tells of young teens trying to form a group. And then they create a group! If you are not subscribed to any paid movie streaming services, there are even many sites where you can watch the classics for free .
8. Explore genres of television and movies that you don’t usually watch.
Rather than just watching a dozen sitcom reruns in a row, consider indulging in genres that you wouldn’t normally expect to be attracted to. If you usually skip documentaries or a niche like anime seems too weird to you, give them a shot. There are even many lesser-known streaming services that specialize in certain genres.
(I recently admitted that I am now into the Japanese Netflix show Terrace House . You might think that a reality show with subtitles from another country is not for you, but that’s why I watch it: it is completely removed from everything in my own life.) More What’s more, new services like FilmStruck make it easy to find lesser-known classics. Instead of choosing something safe and predictable, consider expanding your cinematic tastes.
7. Get out of town and go hiking or camping.
Most likely, if you live somewhere far from a city in the United States, you always and everywhere have a fairly stable cellular connection. This makes it difficult to actually turn off when notifications just keep coming to your phone. Consider getting out of town at least once. Go on a day hike. Go hiking. Go where you literally can’t reply to emails.
The hike can even boost your creativity . You certainly shouldn’t go too far unless you’re a seasoned hiker, but you can brush up on your wilderness survival skills before heading out and out of action.
6. Create your own retro game console
The NES Classic was an unexpected hit when Nintendo released a miniature console last year bringing video games to televisions in simpler times around the world. It also sold out instantly. But, as you probably know as a Lifehacker reader, you can create your own retro video game console with a Raspberry Pi .
If you have no desire to play on your TV and enjoy playing on your computer, there are tons of options when it comes to emulation. For the NES and SNES, RetroArch is one of the best ways to revive old games. And in fact, it can do much more than just Nintendo systems (although Nintendo is actually the best). You can of course play modern video games as well, but I love the classics.
5. Swim and play sports.
Exercise is a common recommendation as a way to relieve stress , but there is nothing better than jumping into a pool and swimming. It’s a little intimidating if you’re new to swimming as a training medium, but it’s nothing special.
Of course, not everyone has access to the pool. However, there is a controversial opinion: exercise is generally beneficial. And you don’t even need any special hardware or equipment. All you really need is to be proactive and take the time .
4. Do something with your own hands
I wager that, like me, you probably spend most of your day at the computer. Most of us work in the information economy, in which, in a broad sense, we process and make decisions about various types of data. Speaking for me, it leaves a part of my brain free from scratches and boredom. This is why I sometimes enjoy doing hobby projects that are completely unrelated to my work.
Perhaps you would like to do woodworking . Perhaps you want to create your own electronics or learn how to 3D print . Whichever hobby project you choose, solving interesting new puzzles far from your job can be very refreshing.
3. Learn to cook.
If you want to cook something that will truly benefit you, why not finally learn how to cook decent food? Some people think that cooking is a terrifying art that cannot be learned without natural talent, but you don’t need to be the next Paul Bocuse . It is not so difficult.
What’s more, you can save a lot of money by learning how to cook delicious meals at home and making it a habit. Once you master the basics, you can use endless online recipes and enjoy your work without reality.
2. Start journaling or writing in any form.
Writing in a diary can mean different things to different people, but the benefits of doing a diary for mental health is well known . Simply documenting the events of the day gives you time to reflect on what’s going on in your life, both positive and negative; it almost looks like a rudimentary form of talking therapy … no talking.
Of course, it won’t necessarily help you escape reality, but it will help you deal with it. For a more literal getaway, you can try your hand at fiction or poetry. Writing a book is a daunting prospect, but you don’t have to stick to anyone’s standards if you’re only doing it for your own benefit.
1. Actually take a vacation and work offline
You may find it hard to believe, but you can take a vacation from time to time. Burnout is a very real thing and it is best to nip it in the bud before you are so tired that you cannot work at all.
So consider taking a vacation. Actually do it; don’t just stay at home at work and then do your job anyway. If your job gets in the way, plan as much in advance as possible . Even if you are obsessed with getting things done, chances are you will come back more productive .
So relax a little , why don’t you.