In the midst of life’s hustle and bustle, discovering an activity that brings instant calm can be quite a challenge. However, an internet survey sought to uncover just that by asking participants, “What activity instantly calms you?” Here are the top 21 responses:
Leaving Work for the Day
“Yeah, when my behind hits the car seat, and I close the door behind me, there’s this moment where I feel my spirit get lighter.”
“Then coming home, going to my room, and closing the door. I need to lie down to de-stress. No matter how often I told her to leave me alone for an hour, I had a GF who couldn’t understand. So I told her to leave.”
Listening to the Sound of Rain
“I love sitting on a porch on a warm, humid summer evening, watching a thunderstorm move in. Watching the distant lightning and low rumble grow into cracks of thunder. The sounds of rain falling on leaves, grass, tin roofs, and tarps make their own unique sound.”
“My old house had a metal roof, and there is nothing more calming than the sound of rain on that roof. So peaceful.”
Plans Being Canceled
“Just happened to us! We have a free Sunday to do nothing tomorrow. We’ll order in and park on the couch for some movies.”
“A good example is before COVID broke out, having a ton of stuff to do (boom covid) nothing to do.”
Cuddling on the Couch With My Family
“Those ladies are everything to me. The youngest isn’t quite 1 yet, so she’s still small enough to sleep on my chest, and I melt every time she does. The 3-year-old loves to sit on my lap and lean her back against my chest, and it’s the greatest bit of love.”
“First daughter on the way. Can’t wait. This is beautiful.”
Shutting Off a Generator That’s Been Running for Hours
“If someone has never done this, they could never appreciate it. I’ve done it many times, and it is one of the most peaceful moments on earth.”
“It’s close to getting out of a go-kart, and the sudden lack of vibration and ugly engine sounds in tandem with that first breath of fresher air.”
Walking in Nature on a Nice Warm Day
“I hate hot weather but love walking in nature. I used to go a lot to Ubatuba – Prumirim beach (look it up, it is gorgeous), it’s the remaining preserved part of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. So nice to walk around those areas.”
“I love to stop walking, close my eyes, and let the sunlight hit my face.”
Cuddling My Cat
“I wish I had a cat who doesn’t hate hugs. My cat literally screams and scratches every time I pick him up or hug him.”
“My cats are the cuddliest, least independent cats I have ever met, and I love them for it! Every time I get home, I go over, pick them up, and bury my face in their fur; they’re (usually) thrilled with it. As someone who used to have a very independent cat, I am pleasantly confused at how loving they are.”
Doing a Puzzle
“Same here. I always say that it just makes my brain happy.”
“My brain melts doing a puzzle.”
Going for a Walk Outside and Just Relaxing in Nature
“Nature is healing. I know it sounds hippy, but there’s something about being out there. It’s almost like you feel immense belonging, as in humans are nature, we evolved in the woods or savannas, there are reward circuits put in place by trees and fresh air, it’s pretty wild to think about.”
“I’m happier when I’m outside.”
Someone Putting Their Fingers Through My Hair
“Yeah, I get mad tingles from that. Also, people just patted my arm or touched my shoulder. I instantly want to go to sleep.”
“Same. I loved it as a kid, and once you’re an adult, it doesn’t really happen unless you’re in a relationship. I long for the days I can again feel someone else’s fingers running through my hair… I also don’t have hair, but yeah.”
Eating Out Alone
“Something about ‘people watching’ and feeling invisible. I’m happy being me momentarily, with zero thinking about other people’s problems. That’s my happy place.”
“This one thing will change your life. I’m totally fine interacting with people. But these uninterrupted moments of watching real people live their lives give me sanity, knowing people are going through similar stuff.”
A Hug
“I just need a hug. I’m very touch-oriented, and a hug can make me instantly drop my guard and let my emotions out. Unfortunately, I rarely get hugs. Even the two women I’ve been married to/engaged to in the last 20 years are anti-touch, and it’s been hard.”
“I actually had someone hug me the other day unexpectedly, and it unlocked all of these emotions that I’ve buried for so long and now.”
Playing My Bass
“My jazz fender is always there for me. That may be the only thing keeping me from completely self-destructing.”
“Piano and guitar have the same effect on me. Having an instrument lets you play what you’re feeling.”
Painting
“I’m not very good, but it helps.”
“I love painting. You don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it!”
Drinking Freshly Brewed/Extracted Coffee With Your Favorite Mug
“People who only drink coffee “for the buzz” don’t know what it feels like to just sit back and claim some free time for yourself. It’s like you’re in this small bubble where you’re not worried about anything other than just drinking a fresh cup of coffee.”
“I wake up 30 minutes before the rest of my family to sit in my favorite chair, watch all the neighborhood animals out the window, and drink my first cup of coffee silently. It’s the most relaxed I will be all day, and I genuinely look forward to it when I get out of bed.”
Taking a Shower
“Also, sing a song while I’m in there.”
“A hot shower followed by fresh cool, clean, dry clothes.”
Driving
“Car, motorcycle, snowmobile, boat, tractor, it doesn’t matter. Now that I think about it, the repetitive, purposeful nature of tilling and planting a field is so satisfying and calming.”
“My favorite is driving on a winding road, and it’s even better if it’s in the mountains. Usually pretty terrain and not many other people.”
Chugging a Big Glass of Water
“Everything my body does after that just gets my mind off whatever bothered me.”
“It’s really nice if the water is ice cold and it’s a hot day. Nothing better than that.”
Reading a Book
“Top calming activity for me. Just immersing myself in the story is great.”
“Absolutely. Reading books is my addiction. And the only sure way to calm down. If I can’t be distracted by a sci-fi or fantasy book, watch out.”
That First Sip of Whiskey at the End of the Workweek
“It’s not a bad sign until it becomes “on my Monday lunch break.””
“It’s just the flip side of the “5:30 AM coffee before everyone else is awake” coin. Assuming it’s not the prelude to finishing the bottle, it’s okay.”
Scuba Diving
“The second you submerge, you’re in another world. You’re floating and can only hear the sound of your breathing. You can’t get distracted by your phone, people… anything. Just you floating there. It’s very calming.”
“I only did scuba twice. It was pretty relaxing, except when I accidentally stood up and started to float rapidly to the surface. Thankfully my instructor caught me, and nothing bad happened.”
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