TGIF: 5 Fun, Low-Stakes Topics for a Healthy Distraction From Stress!

5 topics to deep dive into to distract yourself from the stress of the week (without social media)

Fun distraction is a healthy coping mechanism that can stop ruminating thoughts and stress.

Maybe a squirrel is not enough to distract you but these topics are!

Often, people think distraction is an ill-advised way to cope with a problem, but in fact it can be a very healthy coping mechanism. Distraction gets a bad wrap due to its association with its evil twin, Avoidance.

Avoidance is a maladaptive coping mechanism that actually makes stress worse because we ignore problems or stress completely, do everything we can to escape it. Distraction is a momentary step back from the problem, to remove ourselves from panic mode in favor of regulation. Distraction can be a temporary relief from an issue and give us the clarity to come back to the stress or problem and deal with it correctly.

So I have gathered some fun, low-stakes topics to tickle the mind and distract from the culminating stress of the week, for just a wee bit:

Topic #1 - Gordon Ramsey Fails Miserably At Making a Grilled Cheese?

Yes, you read that correctly. This is a wild story about Gordon Ramsey wreaking internet havoc when he had to make filler content for an old show. Reddit link to a short read that just makes you really re-think sandwich etiquette.

Topic #2 - Quokka Who?

Quokkas, the adorable much-lesser known sister of the Koala, are a wild ride to read about. You cannot be stressed looking at this little bugger and, in addition, they are interesting little weirdos. A cute topic if your kids need a distraction too!

"Also quokkas are mostly nocturnal, snoozing when the hot sun is out." – National Geographic

Topic #3 - A Random Archive People Article with Famous People's Handwritten Recipes

This People article has a bunch of different recipes handwritten by historical figures. Super interesting to think about and look at but would not recommend trying to cook them... but to each their own.

Topic #4 - We Have Dominant Eyes?

Other people probably knew this but I did not! Wild! This is a Reddit link to a guide on how to check which of your eyes is the dominant one.

We have dominant eyes? Who knew?! Probably a lot of people, but not me.

Tip #5 - Digital Escape Rooms!

This local library has created some very fun and age-categorized Digital Escape Rooms. They are so cool and they really do a good job of offering a fun, somewhat organized creative outlet. Click here to adventure.

Remember though...we don't live in distraction, we vacation there.

Distraction can be a healthy coping mechanism but just remember, that once you have lowered your stress and regulated, revisit the topic if you need to resolve an issue. Hopefully, these fun low stakes topics for healthy distraction combat this week's end stress. Happy Distracting!