10 Minute Activities to Recover From Burn-Out

     I've just wrapped up my college experience and I totally understand how stressful it can be to have three papers due, a project and have to teach at a placement every day. It's easy to get overwhelmed with everything going on from work, school, family and every other pressure life is throwing at you. Here are five different activities I use to help destress that are also educational or brain teasers so I'm learning something new while giving my brain a chance to calm down. Some are free others cost a little bit but all of these are worth your time and sanity it in my opinion.  

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3 Minute TED Talks

     TED Talks are short only 20 minutes but hey you don't have that long well these TED talks are for you. TED started this new series of talks specifically designed to only last 3 minutes. The topics range from how to properly tie a shoe, a short story told through emoticons and how saying thank you can change your life. 

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Mini Metro

     This second option is a game about building a metro system. As it expands and grows you need to rework routes to ensure everyone gets to their destinations before time runs out. The simplistic art style and relaxing autogenerating music allows you to become absorbed in the game. If you're up for a challenge daily objectives with new rules like no moving track once it's placed are added to a special mode. On the other end of the spectrum there is an endurance mode that simply pits you against your own delivery rate. This gives a more laid back experience and time to walk away or tab out and come back to the game later. 

Cost: 9.99 on Steam 

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Chrome Music Lab

     Music is the universal language and google chrome music lab has many different experiments allowing anyone to create a song. Each lab has a different way to craft a song, one takes a drawing and makes it into a song, another gives you a cast of musicians and you tailor each individuals music. The most recent addition allows you to select squares and pick how the beat is played. No matter which one you pick to use I found it easy to get wrapped up for a few minutes in crafting my own master piece. 

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Do Nothing For Two Minutes

     A website that starts a timer when you don't move your mouse or tap your keyboard. Sit still for two minutes and listen to the waves. If you move the timer starts over, so don't let your stress get to you, be still and relax. I use this as an excuse to pick up a book or my sketch pad and just not touch my computer for a couple minutes.

Emoji Scavenger Hunt

     After a tool to help you sit still here's one to get you up and out of your seat! Use this scavenger hunt to explore what's around you. An emoji appears on screen and you have the task of locating and taking a picture with your phone or laptop. So leave your stressful desk behind and more around a bit to get those brain cells moving in a different way!