Ask HN: How to Rest?

- Get exercise (walk, run, etc)

- Reduce inputs (podcasts, audiobooks, social media, HN, RSS, etc)

- Sit in silence and allow mind to wander to where it wants and just observe. Keep something to write with and on nearby, so you can jot down nagging items and get back to the silence.

You don't need to make big life changes to do this. You could do it on your commutes, or in the evening after dinner. But try to do it daily.

The first thing to do is let your brain do what it needs to do. You can't rest if your brain is going to start processing things the instant you slow down. I would suggest trying out things like meditation, journaling, or walks without headphones.

You need to find your own resting ritual.

It could be meditating, walking the dog, lifting some weights, etc.

I recommend this book: "Time Off: A Practical Guide to Building Your Rest Ethic and Finding Success Without the Stress" https://www.amazon.com/Time-Off-Practical-Building-Finding/d...

I read it over vacation last year.

Walk in the forest, park or beach.

Spending some time with the kids.

Reading

Watching old youtube videos on tech or history.

I'm also thinking about writing a book on the subject. But until then, here are some tips I've found useful:

-Take a walk. It doesn't have to be a long one; just getting outside for even a few minutes can help you get out of your head and into your body.

-Listen to music. Maybe you'll find that it helps you think more deeply about what's going on in your life, or maybe it helps you stop thinking about anything at all.

-Read something unrelated to whatever's stressing you out. Sometimes it's helpful to get your mind into a totally different space, and reading is great for that.

-Get some exercise. You don't need me to tell you how good this is for your body and brain—you already know! But if you're feeling stressed out, going for a run or doing some yoga can make a huge difference in how you feel after!