That entertainment that drains us

Modern entertainment, despite being designed for leisure, often exhausts us rather than relaxes us.
It bombards our senses with relentless stimulation. High-definition movies are packed with rapid, explosive action, vibrant colours and dizzying camera movements. These require our brain to process enormous amounts of visual information at speeds that leave us mentally drained rather than refreshed.
Garish video games demand constant attention, quick reflexes, and problem-solving under pressure, activating our stress response systems and flooding our bodies with cortisol and adrenaline as if we were facing real threats.
Vacations became exhausting marathons of activity, rushing from one tourist attraction to the other, documenting everything for social media, and returning home depleted and drained.
We have confused stimulation with relaxation, mistaking the flashy entertainment for genuine rest, when in reality our overstimulated nervous systems only needs simplicity and stillness.
Rest requires us to dramatically reduce the activity of our brain, allowing our mental and physical systems to recover. Doing absolutely nothing, sitting quietly without devices, lying down without purpose, or simply staring out a window might feel uncomfortable because of our rushed lifestyle.
Within emptiness real restoration happens. Our brain needs time to process experiences, consolidate memories, and rest from constant stimulation.
Reading physical books rather than from backlit screens, engages our imagination at a gentler pace that soothes rather than agitates, allowing us to be mentally active without being overstimulated.
The slower rhythm of turning pages and constructing mental images from words provides engagement without exhaustion, giving us a break from the assault of high-definition imagery.
Watching slow-paced, black-and-white movies offers a good entertainment without constant, damaging stimulation.
These films force us to slow down, pay attention to dialogues and acting rather than relying on heavy visuals to hold our interest. They also offer storytelling depth without overwhelming our senses.
Simple activities like taking aimless walks without destination or purpose, sitting in nature without photographing it, or enjoying meals without screens allow us to genuinely rest.
The key to restoration is embracing boredom and stillness rather than trying to continuously escape them.
Recognizing that rest from the courage to do less, see less, and be present is the key to health and serenity.