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Activities such as knitting, drawing, woodworking, gardening, puzzles, and crafts require attention but in a way that's different from many everyday responsibilities.
This kind of focused leisure can provide psychological distance from work-related thoughts while still keeping the mind occupied.
Enjoyable activities that balance challenge with ability may also produce flow, a state in which attention becomes deeply absorbed in what someone is doing.
Quick takeaway: Rest doesn't always mean doing nothing. An absorbing activity can be another form of mental downtime.
© Greater Good Science Center