It's 9:38 PM, as I sit at my desk typing words on my keyboard. It's about to rain outside with the thunder rumbling. Just a couple of hours ago, my brain was tired. I haven't slept well in the last few days as I've been busy working on things.
A thought occurred to me today as I tried to work - why can't I relax my brain even for a little while. I tried to take a nap but I couldn't close my eyes - my head felt heavy, my body tired yet alert.
The answer is stress. Stress seems to have weird effects on the human body. But why does all this effect the way we think? We can't we just turn off like a machine just for a little bit.
I forced myself to take a break and watch a movie. But even during the movie, the thoughts of work, what to do next still kept creeping in.
But why is relaxing hard?
The simple answer is the brain is a complex biolgical machine, it does thinks we can't yet explain. But the longer answer is it depends - there are a couple of things
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Excitement
- Fear
All these things contribute to the way our brain works in the moment. Biologically, these signals trigger a flight or fight mode where our brain is always active and alert. And when we're alert we can't relax. The easiest solution to relaxing is to lower these things. You've heard that a bunch and I'm not going to repeat the same things again.
Compartmentalise
One thing I like to do often is to compartmentalise. Putting different responsibilities and thoughts in different boxes. I wrote how I compartmentalise my writing routine here. It explains why it helps with context switching faster.
The best thing I like about this is, the boxes are disposable. So if something I do is stressing me out, I just put the box away for that moment so that I don't think about it. You only tend stress about something if you see it visually - not all the time but most of the time. Especially with working.
Pool time - calming effects of water
I enjoy going to the pool often, I picked up this hobby last year. I wasn't a swimmer and I barely knew how to float but got the hang of it after a while. I don't expect anythign from swimming, it's jsut an outlet to relax. I learned that the more time I spend in the water, the calmer my mind was. Water has a calming effect on the body and mind. That's why a lot of zen gardens have a pond.
Familiar places
Another thing you can do is go to a Familiar place that is disconnected from your work or home. This place is somewhere only you go to spend some alone time. For me, that is the beach or the pool.
Touch grass - literally
Sometimes it's nice to just spread your feet in the grass. It makes you feel alive and connected.
...to be written