The Art of Leisure: How to Unwind

The importance of relaxation in your life cannot be overstated. From enjoying a leisurely lunch to trying your luck at a fun online game, dive into the different ways you can unwind and relax so you can get back out into the world with a fresh perspective and clear mind. Try one of these ideas to unwind today.

Play a Game

There is nothing like the nostalgia of a classic arcade game to get you to unwind. If you played pinball in the arcades of old as a teenager, you probably remember having pocket change always at the ready and waiting in line with your friends for your turn. When you were up, there was inevitably someone else breathing down your neck in anticipation of their turn. While that brings back happy memories. Do you really want to do that today?

Instead of finding an arcade, you can play online pinball from the comfort of any place you happen to be. Whenever you feel the need to relax, start a new game without waiting in line or even standing up. Feel the stress subside as you get into this old-school game with a modern online twist. Test your skills, challenge yourself, and don’t worry about carrying around a pocketful of quarters.

Pursue a Hobby

Hobbies, by their nature, are pursuits of leisure. If you already have a hobby that brings you joy, satisfaction, and a way to release your energy and stress, great. If not, now is the time to get started. 

Here are some ideas to use to unwind.

• Look for hobbies around the house. If you have a stack of books lying around, consider trying your hand at woodworking and building a bookshelf.
• If you enjoyed fishing with your grandpa as a kid, look into local watering holes and learn about what is available in your area.
• Start a garden. Small spaces should not prohibit you from growing your own produce. Look up container gardening online, and check out your local library or Agriculture Extension offices at a nearby university to learn the best practices for your area.
• Learn an instrument. From online classes and YouTube videos to in-person classes, you can learn how to play a new instrument or brush up your skills on an old one. If you have always wanted to play a few mellow notes from Jack Johnson’s catalog, this might be the perfect relaxing hobby for you.

Avoid looking at hobbies as work. If you enjoy tinkering in the garage and have been thinking about fixing up that old red Mustang, this is the perfect opportunity. Allow yourself time and space to work on it as you want to instead of feeling that, now you’ve started, there is a deadline for completion. When a work mindset encroaches upon leisure and hobbies, stress creeps in.

Embrace the Art of Meditation

Meditation is for everyone. If you think that this leisurely practice is for people in the C-Suite looking to connect with others in the room or stay-at-home parents with the perception of too much time on their hands, think again. Repeat: Meditation is for everyone. 

If you have never practiced the art of meditation, you do not need to be intimidated or frustrated by the idea. All you need is a quiet place and about 10 minutes of uninterrupted time. The point of meditating is to put everything out of your mind during that time frame. That is easier said than done, especially if you have a looming work deadline, children tapping at your bedroom door, or traffic flowing by the window. 

Inform people in your sphere that you are taking 10 minutes of time for yourself without interruption. Set a timer for you and one for them if you have kids. Focus on your breathing and how your body feels. Avoid to-do lists and taskers. If you continue meditating every day, eventually you will feel the benefits, so don’t give up.

Watch this video to learn one man’s unique perspective and approach to meditating daily.

Silence Notifications

This is a do-nothing act: Silence the notifications on your phone. Select every single app or messaging platform and all social media notifications and toggle them to silent. Only keep the notifications from immediate loved ones and emergency notifications set to on. Now, you can go about whatever you may be doing, whether finishing a project at work or reading an engrossing book. 

By silencing unnecessary noise on your phone, you are giving your brain time to unwind from the constant noise of buzzing and pinging. You can still do what you need to do, but with much less push and pull from the outside world. Call this Distraction Management. And if you think about it, you do not need to pull your attention away from whatever you are doing to see your friend’s latest post about the best burger. The post will be there later.

Cook a Meal for One

There is nothing like good food to make you feel great. The aromas, the taste, it all comes together in a beautiful and satisfying meal. If you enjoy cooking but generally go out to eat or order in, it is time to embrace the idea of cooking a delicious meal just for you. Even though you are dining solo, you still deserve to eat well.

The act of cooking can be a cathartic and enjoyable one. Select a recipe that moves you or evokes a favorite memory from your youth or a fantastic vacation. Cook along to a MasterClass chef tutorial, find a video from your tried-and-true online food expert, or pull out a dog-eared cookbook.

Once you have your ingredients and tools ready, set the mood with great music and your drink of choice. Linger over the processes, such as chopping and sautéing. Make the moments relaxing rather than a race to the finish. Once the meal is ready, sit down at the table and enjoy what you have created.

Learning how to unwind is essential in today’s always-on world. Shut out the noise around you and enjoy a throwback game. Put your phone on quiet and pay attention to whatever is happening with more focus on your responsibilities. Taking time to invest in yourself, whether through hobbies or cooking, will help you relax and live a better life.