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It does you good to have a break from the daily grind and provide your mind with other topics to think about. Of course, if you select the right distraction, you will find that you are actually looking forward to your time away from your desk, to the point where every spare second of your lunch break or commute is immersed in it.
This, of course, is good as it can move your head away from the stresses at work and clear your mind for your time spent at home. Here are some examples of distractions that could help you deal with the daily grind more effectively.
1. Start your own collections
Starting your own collection (of Lego, for example) could have you seeking out new additions or reading up about others—such as Michael Savage New Canaan—who also share your enthusiasm and are avid collectors. These, of course, will be people that you will want to aspire to emulate in respect of their vast array of different Lego sets that, in some cases, span decades.
Undoubtedly there are more items to collect in this world than Lego, as Michael Savage will no doubt tell you. He enjoys collecting muscle cars and Michael Jordan sneakers alongside his Lego collection. As there are only so many Lego sets (especially vintage ones) that will hit the market at any one time, it makes sense to pick a couple of items from unrelated categories to form collections with.
2. Take up a sport
If you are tight on space or feel that collecting is not so much your kind of interest, you can choose to take up a sport. This can have a serious positive impact on your life, health, and happiness levels. This is due to the fact that you will obviously get fitter, possibly lose some weight while getting toned, and be happier due to the release of happy endorphins.
Of course, it is not just the simple action of taking up a sport, but finding out which kind you are truly going to be interested in taking part in and desire to continue with—even when the weather is less than clement. Consider the following categories:
- High-impact contact: High-impact, contact sports, such as football, soccer, and rugby, can be immensely enjoyable to take part in, but you have to understand the risks that you are taking and the injuries that can and do occur. If you are looking to take up this kind of sport, you should be aware of your own capabilities and have measures in place should you get injured during play.
- Extreme sports: Extreme sports are not for everyone and especially are not for those with a weak heart. These are sports that test your resolve and your nerves. Sky diving, free climbing, abseiling, and white-water rafting can all be listed as extreme sports, but the list goes on.
- These sports can be expensive initially due to the safety equipment that you may need to either purchase or hire, and it is necessary to get expert training, guidance, and advice before tackling any extreme sport first-hand. Again, you do need to be aware of the risks involved and be able to follow the instructions to the letter. If you do not understand what has been said to you, you need to speak with your instructor and not try to “wing it” when the action is taking place.
- Lone sports: Lone sports are those that can be (and often are) carried out singularly, such as running, weight training, and walking. However, if you are more of a social animal, then they too can be carried out as part of a group or with a friend or family member.
- Team sports: Team sports are decidedly one of the most enjoyable, and this is because you will be enjoying the comradery of being part of a group of like-minded people all working towards the same goal. You will also have the competitive part of the sport, which always highlights the fun. Of course, some of these sports are contact sports; however, not all team sports are. Cricket, for instance, is a far gentler game, and so is baseball due to there being little or no physical contact between players. This, however, doesn’t mean that injuries cannot occur, and they often do in the form of sprains, bruises, and sometimes broken bones.
3. Start blogging
Not everyone is in for collecting or physical exertion, and if you are one of these people, then you may want to have an option that is a little more sedate. This could be in the form of blogging for fun. No doubt you have dabbled a bit with writing your social media posts about what is happening within your life or because you feel that a certain event should be mentioned or taken notice of.
However, blogging is a whole new level of writing that you may also enjoy and is considered by some to be better than social media. This is because when you blog, you will generally be targeting an audience that is connected and is truly interested in the topic that you are talking about rather than wildly putting your voice out there like you have done before with your short posts.
You can also go into a lot more depth about your chosen subject when you blog, which you cannot do on your social media post — well, not without losing your readers anyway. You will find that when you start blogging, you can also include links to articles that will support your information or back up your claims while also making your blog attractive by adding relevant pictures and graphics.
If you consider yourself to be an expert or enthusiast on a certain subject, you can concentrate on growing your readership within your target niche. Answering questions and quashing bogus theories may result in your audience actively communicating with you, as you will be seen as the “go-to” person for knowledge.
4. Practice relaxation techniques
Of course, blogging is for similar types of people, and if you are not one for putting too much focus on yourself or your knowledge or find that you are too pent up and stressed to deal with much in your spare time, you will need to concentrate your efforts on practicing relaxation techniques.
These may be practices that you have doubted in the past, but they do work. Breathing exercises can lower stress levels, reduce heart rates, and help you release the tension that you feel inside. Combine this with meditation techniques – either when listening to calm music or even in the peace and quietness of your home – and you could be on the road to true relaxation.
In order to get any relaxation technique to work well, you need to be warm (but not hot), comfortable, and feel safe. Ensure you will not be disturbed or interrupted when you choose to do this, as this could ruin your relaxation session and cause you to tense up further.
If you like to do a bit of exercise, then you can always combine your relaxation time with your exercise time and take up yoga. However, be honest with what your body can do. Some positions are difficult to get into, and if you are not overly subtle, you can cause an injury by stretching or forcing the pose.
A few final thoughts
You should ensure that you are providing your mind with a distraction from your daily grind. This is because it will draw an end to your working day and provide you with an alternative activity to look forward to.
You will soon find that you are spending your lunch break looking for new items to add to your collection and talking to team members or like-minded people about local meetings or what is on the schedule for the training practice later in the day or week.
You could find yourself researching or making notes on your next blogging session while deciding what to lead with that your readers will find interesting. Or, it might even be that you are spending your lunch break practicing breathing and centering yourself; this will sharpen your focus and clear your mind so you are fresh for your afternoon duties before you go home.