The real art of relaxation, breaking free from doom-scrolling for mental health
What do you do when you are tired, and the last thing you want to do is be productive?
Those moments when all you crave is some junk food and a chance to sit down, put your feet up, and doom-scroll for a bit. But at the same time, you want to take care of yourself, you know that that bag of chips, that glass of wine, and that app aren't good for you. At the same time in these moments, the thought of reading or having a meaningful conversation seems energy-draining. What does one do in such situations? I would suggest going for a walk and embracing the potential boredom that might set in.
Now, you might wonder, why on earth would you choose to do that?
Brain frequencies, gamma, beta, alpha, delta, and theta
Our brains function on different wavelengths. We have Gamma: the frequency associated with concentration. Beta: activated during periods of anxiety, activity, attentiveness, and sometimes relaxation. Then there's Alpha: the wavelength associated with deep relaxation and passivity. And of course, Delta: the state when we are asleep. Oh I almost forgot, Theta: active during wakefulness, deep relaxation, or inward focus, like in a flow state [1],[2]
Theta waves, the state of recharging
Ideally, we want to be in the Theta state as much as possible—this is the autopilot, the flow state, conducive to learning and dreaming.
But how do we get there when we're tired and just want to relax and recharge? The key is to engage in basic activities like walking, yoga, meditation, or listening to non-lyrical music, I would suggest Low-Fi beats. [3] It's about doing something simple that doesn't demand a specific outcome, allowing you to act without thought or focus.
Whether it's sitting in a bath, taking a shower, napping, or lying down and looking up and cloud-watching, these moments activate our subconscious, leading to manifestation, creation, contemplation, connection the dots, realisations, conclusions, or even simply remembering where we put our keys.
Alpha, the state of relaxation in recharging body and mind
When we're tired, we're usually in an Alpha brainwave state, indicating the need for relaxation and rejuvenation.
It's the state that calls for a massage, a warm bath, or simply sitting down and enjoying a pleasant scented candle. Ignoring this need can have repercussions as our brains signal the body to take a break from the energy-consuming Beta and Gamma states activated during work.
These higher brain states require a lot of energy, often leaving us hungry, tired, and run-down after mental or physical exertion.
Unplugging our dopamine driven brain
The question arises: Why the relentless pursuit of productivity and the desire to engage our subconscious mind?
Why do we want to not just lie-down on the couch and rot Why resist the urge to doom-scroll, aside from the obvious drawbacks like not contributing to society or gaining substantial knowledge? Doom-scrolling might indeed serve as a form of relaxation or recovery, though not very effectively.
It tends to disrupt the relaxation process as it involves learning, emotional engagement, and overstimulation of our senses—an endless cycle of ups and downs, happy and sad, angry and shocked, funny and serious, triggering waves of dopamine that leave our brains fatigued.
Reclaiming rest, nurturing mental health
Instead of succumbing to the drain of doom-scrolling, I recommend opting for a walk, taking a bath, or lying down with soothing music.
Relaxation is a crucial component of both mental and physical health, and it's essential to heed our body's signals. Some forms of relaxation may masquerade as boredom fillers, and recognizing what that means for you is crucial. By acknowledging these signals, you can redirect your focus and reach the desired Alpha brain state—an indispensable aspect of the recovery process. So the next time your tired, and just want to rot.
I suggest pampering yourself with relaxing luxuries, like music, smells, water activities or simply lying down and letting your mind wonder.
Footnotes
1^ Jefferson Health
2^ Sciencedirect.com
3^ Neulinehealth.com
