Big Bowl of Serenity by Tina Jett - click image to view more
Considering how much time most of us spend online in a given day, six out of five doctors would recommend that you take a mental break now and again.
Perhaps you’re like me, someone who occasionally needs a crowbar to pry myself away from the computer and the smart phone, even just to go to the bathroom. Someone who maybe needs to set a timer to remind myself to eat lunch. Someone who needs to realize that I don’t have to (and shouldn’t try to) work until bedtime just because there are still a few hours left in the day.
While we may not specifically feel stress or anxiety from working so much, not taking those breaks can wreak havoc on your creativity by keeping it in a stagnant state.
The best remedy, of course, would be to step completely away from the digital world, stop jacking up your astigmatism, and get some fresh air before your butt starts to mold itself to your seat. If you have trouble cutting the cord, though, here are a few ways to help get your e-chi into alignment.
iPhone/iPad apps:
- White Noise (TMSOFT) : The hubs and I use White Noise every night for sleeping (we’re BFFs with Crickets Chirping), but it’s also nice to close your eyes and let your mind drift off with any of the 40 sounds available. The app also has timer settings and allows you to make mixes of your favorites.
- iZen Garden (Random Ideas) : Use your finger to rake the sand and create your own mini garden, choosing from a ton of elements like fountains, rocks, plants, fluttering butterflies, and background sounds.
- Koi Pond (The Blimp Pilots) : This one is fun because you can interact with your fishies by swirling around the water and even shaking your device to feed them. Koi Pond HD for iPad ups the graphics factor to a more natural-looking setting. (Bonus points to The Blimp Pilots for the awesome illustration on their home site.)
- Balls (iotic) : The movement of your device causes little balls of light to drift around on the screen while creating beautiful chime sounds. The name of the app causes the immature kid in me to giggle.
- Zen Brush (PSOFT) : Zen Brush is a somewhat addicting app that mimics the Asian technique of using ink brushes. The developers did a great job with translating the responsiveness and flow of the user’s touch. You can also share your creations on their Twitter gallery page using the hash tag #ZenBrush.
Online:
- Last.fm : Search for key words “nature sounds” to produce a large list of tracks to enjoy. It’s just like those CD kiosks at Target, which you know you’ve stopped and played with before.
- Tiny Buddha : Get daily inspiration, links, and words of wisdom with Tiny Buddha on Twitter.
- Zen Habits : Subscribe to Leo Babauta’s Zen Habits blog and get weekly updates on how to pursue simplicity and happiness in all areas of your life.
Tina Jett is an artist, writer, photographer, and world-explorer. Her husband describes her with the phrase, “It’s like she lives in a coloring book.” See how that vision influences the work on her 
Thanks for the great links…and I too have an immature side that will titter(!) at the name of the ‘Balls’ app
Pretty sure I subliminally downloaded it for the name alone.
Ooh I’m going to have to try out the Zen Brush. Reminds me of when I was younger, I had a Zen pad you could use a big brush on with water and it looked like one as well. Really addictive too! Thanks for the ideas, and you’re right I always need a break when I’m online too much.
Those water brushes are awesome! I used to play with one in a shop that had them on display. The flow is addictive.