What kind of physical work would you do to relax? (Explained more in the thread)
Yesterday, in a few Reddit forums and generally from the discussions around me, I noticed that people are "tired" of office work.
Either too much routine or exaggerated demands on creativity and the like. Mostly, these are people who are paid well and can afford to "leave" their jobs – to explore, relax, do something else.
Some people change the type of work to physical.
For example, my friend is a programmer, but decided to ride a bike and deliver food via Wolt. Another is considering working on a farm.
Don't you also sometimes feel like you would change your online work for the offline world? What would you do?
Question for companies: In the descriptions of some companies for job positions, I see that after working for, for example, 5 years in the company, they give the option of a paid sabbatical for 6 months. What benefits do you have for employees so that they don't burn out?
Replies
For me woodwork really scratches the itch of wanting to do something with your hands. Partly because it requires focus but also because you're in close contact with what you're working on, it's tactile, simple but also challenging enough to be engaging for extended periods of time.
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@aliderregia Partially sounds dangerous because of the saw :D
@busmark_w_nika haha I guess that's what keeps the focus levels up :)
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@aliderregia True. If my life were in danger, I would also be concentrated and try my best :D
I'd love to have my own matcha cafe and be a barista (disclaimer: I've been drinking matcha for years, way before it became a crazy trend 😅)
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@ruxandra_mazilu Yesterday was listening a podcast where one bar has cats and also serves matcha tea. In our country it is a wordplay because "mača" (sounds/it is pronounced like matcha) – and it means small kitty. :) :D
@busmark_w_nika omg that's so cute! 😭
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@ruxandra_mazilu I know. It's a pity that I have an allergy to the kitties' fur. ☹️
IXORD
I believe that rest is when you try doing something different and everything feels new. If you go on vacation, you should spend time doing things you haven’t done before.
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@ixord I meant something more long-term rather than just vacation time. What activity would you like to do for maybe earning money but physically?
IXORD
@busmark_w_nika I wouldn’t say that I enjoy physical work, but if a job requires thinking, then I like it. Making a sudden switch from the work you’ve been doing, for example, if you’ve been in the same field for 10 years and then suddenly start something completely new, is, in my opinion, not a great idea. That’s why I mentioned taking a break; it really is the best way to recharge.
Cal ID
Gardening or doing small DIY projects always helps me reset definitely feels more rewarding than endless screen time.
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@sanskarix And it trully is + when you can harvest your effort :)
Cal ID
@busmark_w_nika Exactly!
Makers Page
Same here, Nika. To reset, I like trail work volunteering, community gardening, and doing a morning barista shift once a week. For companies: 4-day weeks, meeting-free days, quarterly recharge weeks, micro-sabbaticals, and stipends for classes or outdoor passes.
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@alexcloudstar Reading about your schedule, I should recharge more.
Oh my, these are my thoughts exactly!! I feel that I'm yearning for more physical activity, and it even seems that all these problems with concentration and productivity stem from here: lack of activity.
I've been thinking of a farm life too (😅), but not sure I'm that courageous to make a 180. But who knows what one might be capable of :)
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@helga_impalpable Maybe you can start with gardening first :)
Patio
I’ve worked as a carpenter before getting into digital work, and what's interesting is that the feeling flips depending on where you stand. When I was doing physical labor every day, I remember thinking how nice it would be to just sit at a desk with a coffee and no dust, noise or sawdust in my lungs.
Now that I spend most of my time in front of a screen, I catch myself wanting to go back to manual work just to feel something more tangible. Things like small renovation projects or restoring furniture feel almost like a reset, but mainly because I choose to do them, not because I have to.
Maybe it’s not really about choosing physical work over digital work. Maybe what people are actually craving is contrast, a change in pace and a different kind of effort that makes you feel connected to what you’re doing again.
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@julien_rioux Maybe it would be worth splitting your time into 2 activities to have a balance? Just thinking aloud.
Patio
@busmark_w_nika Exactly, fixing things on weekends does more for my brain than doomscrolling.
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@julien_rioux TBH, I rarely doomscroll, but spend too much time on desktop doing things in Figma or creating content.
Triforce Todos
Honestly, yes. There are days I’d trade my laptop for fresh air and something simple.
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@abod_rehman Do you have any favourite physical activity?
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@david_senoff Do you have a picture of that? :D I would like to imagine that :D
@busmark_w_nika Here is a link to a YouTube Video. And attached is a photo of me flame weeding some nasty ivy off of a stone wall. The ivy had jeopardized the integrity of the wall. But not any more....
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@david_senoff That looks dangerous :D Please, be careful! :D
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@david_senoff Safety first! :D
CalPulse
I usually work out at home for about 20 to 30 minutes after work, following fitness videos. Exercise is a great way for me to relieve stress. On weekends, I enjoy walking outside or going to my favorite restaurant for good food. These activities help me feel relaxed and happy.
Working long hours in the office is not good for my body and mind, but I'm not financially free enough to quit my job yet. 😅
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@peilan_qin According to what you exercise? :D I am open to new online fitness trainers. (I follow some of them on YT.)
CalPulse
@busmark_w_nika Growingannanas、Eleni Fit、MIZI、Pamela Reif. I love working out with them. They make it so much easier to stay on track. 😃
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@peilan_qin Try also Sydney Cummings Houdyshell or Caroline Girvan, GymRa or MadFit. They are also great :)
CalPulse
@busmark_w_nika okey, I’ve already followed them on YT. Time to try some new ones! 😎