Podcasts. I have a very aural internal experience and just having someone else’s voice in my head helps a lot.
Video games. There’s so much science put into making video games an escape it’s almost like cheating. If you look at them as an engineered tool designed for escapism it’s kind of amazing.
Gardening. Takes a certain amount of privilege in space, money and patience but it hits a very deep evolutionary satisfaction.
Nature. Just get as deep into trees as you can and then sit or walk. Find a tree that you like and keep visiting it through the year. Watch how things change through the season and how it fights a fungus or feeds the birds. Connect to an ephemeral but living thing in an implicitly liminal space to disconnect from your constructed reality.
Making something. Shelves are easy. Pizza or pie is just involved enough but not too much effort. Good for iteration and practice too. Lots of people do Lego or puzzles. I enjoyed 3d printing but it’s a major time investment thats hard to maintain.
While you were neurotypical, I studied the unwind.
While you were able-bodied, I studied the unwind.
While you developed your career, I studied the unwind.
Now you’re stressed out and have the audacity to come for advice!?!
Lmao. ASD, MCAS, 4 years disability. I’ve got lots of practice.