The Art Of Escaping Reality: 20 Mini Escapes For Your Mind
You don't need a plane ticket to take a break from life.
Or Hakim | Unsplash A lack of happiness and fulfillment in your everyday life can be a sign that you need to make a drastic change. Finding ways to escape your current reality can be just what you need to live your best life.
Escaping reality sounds mystical and can conjure up thoughts of living in a make-believe world, but it is not just about using your imagination to travel to new circumstances. There are many realistic ways to give yourself a break from the pressures and stresses of life's reality. Finding one that suits you is the key to getting out of the funk you find yourself in.
Every person has unique needs, so escaping reality should align with your individual interests and passions. There is one important thing to remember: Escaping reality is a temporary fix to relieve the burdens of everyday life. These ideas do not remove the need to deal with real-life situations.
Here are 20 mini escapes for your mind:
1. Mediate
Meditation is a great way to escape reality, clear your mind, and get centered. Learning how to meditate correctly puts you in a calm place and puts the worries of the world on hold for a moment.
Psychologist Judith Tutin advised, "You don't have to sit for an hour to meditate. Even a few minutes of meditation is valuable. You don't need any fancy equipment, just a chair or a cushion or two from your couch. You don't even need a teacher with all the apps and online instruction available. There’s no right or wrong to it, so you can leave your inner critic behind, and just sit in silence (or as close to it as your world allows)."
2. Listen to music
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The right song has a way of shifting the energy in the room. If you are struggling with your mental health, turn on music that lifts your spirits. Make sure the music you listen to is tranquil.
3. Practice yoga
Yoga has many benefits — physical, emotional, and mental. The practice of focusing on your breathing and what’s happening with your body is a welcome distraction from reality.
4. Chant positive affirmations
Saying things that make you feel good in the face of challenging situations is a way of escaping reality by shifting it. Be selective with your words because they can be effective after returning to your real life.
Hypnotherapist Katherine Agranovich, Ph.D., explained, "This advice may even seem trite, like a sign in a hallway reminding you to 'think positive' — what does that mean, and what do you do with it? Besides being a cliche, an affirmation is a mental statement based on our opinions and beliefs — about ourselves, others, and life in general — that crafts our perception of reality. Affirmations help shape our future, even when we don't intend our thoughts to become affirmations."
5. Use your imagination
Daydreaming is an imaginative way to get away from a humdrum existence. Imagining a more fulfilling life will not only make you feel better but can also generate ideas on how to deal with difficult circumstances.
6. Get some ‘you’ time
The demands of work, family, and friends can be a stressor. Take time to disconnect from the world and be alone. This will allow you to focus on yourself and reset your brain.
7. Exercise
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Moving your body is not just good for your health; it gives you a temporary escape from reality as you push through a workout. Exercising can also help you sleep better if you are suffering from insomnia.
Twenty-nine sleep/exercise studies concluded that "exercise improved sleep quality or duration. The results varied most significantly due to participants' age, health status, and the mode and intensity of exercise intervention. Middle-aged and elderly adults reported more robust results of exercise that promoted increased sleep efficiency and duration regardless of the mode and intensity of activity, especially in populations suffering from disease."
8. Pick up a hobby
Hobbies like painting, knitting, or stargazing can be an escape from reality. Repetitive tasks that require a lot of attention to detail distract you from what’s going on in your world, giving you a much-needed break.
9. Enjoy the great outdoors
There is nothing like fresh air to clear your head! Activities like hiking, gardening, or fishing can give you an opportunity to unplug and be one with nature.
10. Read a book
Reading stories that are not yours provides a chance to get lost in a new world. Spending time reading takes you into a make-believe place of entertainment.
11. Watch a movie
If reading is not your thing, put on a movie that can help you escape reality for a couple of hours. Stick to movies that make you smile and do not mirror the reality you want to escape. Don't be afraid to try a new genre.
12. Write a story
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Writing forces you to use your imagination and creativity to dictate what happens. Making up a story where you control the narrative and the outcome is an excellent way to escape and feel in control.
13. Get away
Take some time to pamper yourself. Go on a retreat where you tune out all the noise and practice self-care. If you prefer to travel with a partner, bring them along. It can be as long as you want, but you should return recharged and ready to conquer.
14. Document your feelings
Sometimes you just need to talk about how you feel. Write your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Doing this can put them into a new perspective and give you insight you may not have had before.
15. Help someone
Being of service to other people is a therapeutic way of escaping reality. When you have an opportunity to see what other people are going through, your troubles become insignificant.
Divorce coach Karen Finn, Ph.D., said, "There's nothing like doing for others that does so much for your own happiness. And the more genuine and selfless your intentions, the more genuine and lingering your own satisfaction will be. That’s just the way kindness, generosity, and love work! By opening your heart to give, you also open your heart to receive. Isn’t it wonderful the way that works?"
16. Take a nap
What better way to escape reality than to simply shut down? Naps are underrated for adults, but taking one can be a welcome way to combat overwhelming emotions and get rejuvenated.
17. Say 'yes'!
When life is too much, it is so easy to isolate yourself and just be alone. Try escaping your own negative thoughts by saying yes to social invites. Show up and have fun. Your problems will still be there.
18. Cook something
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Engross yourself in learning a new recipe. Better yet, invite friends over and feed them. You’ll be wrapped up in the experience and able to forget your reality for a little while.
19. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
Trying new things is not only an awesome way of escaping reality, but it can help you to create a new, more satisfying reality. If there is something you want to do but have been afraid to try, just do it.
20. Say 'no' more often
Reality can be filled with obligations and responsibilities that deplete you. It’s OK to say no when it suits you. Remember that “no” is a complete sentence. Use it freely, without explanation or guilt.
Is it good to escape from reality? Temporarily escaping reality is good for your mental health if done accurately and realistically. Escaping your life circumstances briefly should not be confused with avoiding them, which is detrimental.
Escapism provides momentary relief and a renewed strength to face the world. Avoidance, on the other hand, is a permanent escapism where there is no intention of resolving issues.
As a matter of fact, a study conducted by TRACE, the Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange at the University of Tennessee, found evidence linking avoidance to increased occurrences of depression.
So, escape your reality and take a breather if you need to. But return with a new understanding and a renewed sense of commitment to tackling anything standing in the way of your happiness.
NyRee Ausler is a writer from Seattle, Washington, and the author of seven books. She focuses on lifestyle and human interest stories that deliver informative and actionable guidance on interpersonal relationships, enlightenment, and self-discovery.
