Ask HN: How do you relax?

#1

Post by tejaswiy » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 1:44 AM UTC

A fairly straight forward question. The second part of it is, most of my relaxation during weekdays seems to involve being glued to some sort of screen. My iPad if I'm reading, my PS3+TV if I'm gaming or my laptop+hulu if I'm watching TV Shows / general talks.

I enjoy all of these, but is there no way (please don't say exercise) to wind down without having to look at a screen?

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#2

Post by amock » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 1:54 AM UTC

I read on my Kindle which is not like looking at a standard screen or you could read real books. I also find manual drafting relaxing, but other hobbies like drawing, knitting, or crocheting can be relaxing non-screen things to do.

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#3

Post by _topher » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:02 AM UTC

I personally can't relax unless my mind is being stimulated in some way, so I make stuff. If your purpose is solely to relax (as it is for me), it doesn't even have to be useful. K'NEX and Lego are personal favorites if I'm mentally out of steam (you can never be too old for Lego!). If I'm looking for something more stimulating I'll get out my breadboard or something similar.

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#4

Post by guynamedloren » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:05 AM UTC

What's wrong with exercising?

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#5

Post by tejaswiy » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:21 AM UTC

guynamedloren wrote: post #4

What's wrong with exercising?

Nothing at all, just that I've tried and failed multiple times to stick to a routine.

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#6

Post by petervandijck » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:21 AM UTC

A walk?

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#7

Post by tejaswiy » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:23 AM UTC

_topher wrote: post #3

I personally can't relax unless my mind is being stimulated in some way, so I make stuff. If your purpose is solely to relax (as it is for me), it doesn't even have to be useful. K'NEX and Lego are personal favorites if I'm mentally out of steam (you can never be too old for Lego!). If I'm looking for something more stimulating I'll get out my breadboard or something similar.

I know, I try to come back from work, switch off for sometime and then put in a few more hours at night building something interesting, so I don't really want to think at all if that's even possible.

Legos are an interesting idea.

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#8

Post by Mz » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:23 AM UTC

tejaswiy wrote: post #5

guynamedloren wrote: post #4

What's wrong with exercising?

Nothing at all, just that I've tried and failed multiple times to stick to a routine.

Have you tried walking? Doesn't really require a routine, you can check out the scenery and go at whatever pace suits you, energetically or moseying along. I have significant physical limitations and this is the only thing I can stick with (and I no longer own a car, so walking is built in to my current lifestyle).

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#9

Post by coryl » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:25 AM UTC

How about exercising in a stimulating way? Ie. Learning muay thai, rock climbing, etc.

Re: Ask HN: How do you relax?

#10

Post by bearwithclaws » Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 2:35 AM UTC

Get back to the nature. Whether it's hiking, jungle trekking, swimming in the ocean or running on the beach, it's totally reinvigorating. While you are doing it, breathe deeply and enjoy the sights and sound of the surrounding - you will come back a renewed man.

P.S: I'm very fortunate to live in Penang island (Malaysia), where all those things I mentioned just 20 minutes away from my house.