I’ve been seeing small bands play locally. I love metal and all it’s sub-genres and my town has been absolutely stacked for smaller shows this year.

I saw Hippie Death Cult and The Obsessed in a tiny venue for $22/ticket and even got to meet some of the members of the bands as they were walking around or working the merch booth.

I’ve got at least 2 concerts each month for the rest of the year and may fit more in if I can.

Hell, even the most expensive show I went to was $50/ticket and that was for Alcest, Deafheaven, and Mastodon (favorite band of all time). It was absolutely mind blowing and I’m still buzzing from the “high”.

I should note I’m 3 years sober from alcohol and have struggled with crippling social anxiety and panic attacks over the years. I’m using these events as exposure therapy (along with actual therapy) to social situations and knowing that I can leave at anytime helps to avoid the uncomfortable cyclical anxiety loop I was getting caught in. It’s actually been enlightening how much I’ve been able to enjoy and has made a massive positive impact on my life.

Spinning yarn. Fiber arts in general, but spinning is very low effort. It keeps your hands busy while you watch something on TV (or if you’re waiting in a waiting room) so you don’t feel the urge to grab your phone. Drop spindles are also very affordable and probably the best way to learn. You could spin wool roving or top. You could also go forage a ton of wild nettle (do that it in the winter so it doesn’t sting), process the nettle, then spin that. Or you could get into the dying process, which is super fun. It’s an entire rabbit hole.

The fun thing is you can use the product of the low effort hobby in higher effort hobbies like weaving. And once you get fabric from weaving on a rigid heddle or floor/table loom, you can amp up the effort even more in following a pattern and sewing things from that fabric. Or just hang it and look at it.

Step outside of your routine. Drive 20 minutes down the road on a whim and go to the park. Go for a walk. Break the monotony of life in small ways all throughout the day/week. Less screen time too.

I take the stairs, when i’m sad, frustrated or upset i do pushups

Leisure walk every day. 30 minutes is enough.

Don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol.

Drink a lot of water.

Regular sleep schedule. Sleep hygiene.

Eat healthy.

Appreciative social contacts.

Instead of cherry picking “low effort” habits or hobbies. Pick habits you value and hobbies you like, then just put in a bit of effort starting from the lowest amount. Stop when you think it’s too much.

Set the phone in another room.

call friends & loved ones even if there’s no particular reason to

Do a kindness to someone without expectation of recognition or return

Read a book

Find an enjoyable exercise

Sit under a tree on a nice day

No matter how much your brain tells you that it’s go time… You need to take 10 minutes a day to stare at the ceiling, have a bath, or do nothing and turn that fucker off.

E: I know my own brain, it will not stop. So I literally have a repeat task in my calendar and my do not disturb set to go on for that 10 minutes automatically!

• 10-15 min walks. Great time to just get the body moving and get into deep thought or listen to an audiobook

• Having a regular water refill routine

• Weekly/monthly budget/finances review

• All the small annoying non “fun” stuff that every old persons unsolicited advice essentially.

Cutting off stressful, negative, or hateful friends and family members has had a hugely positive effect in overall life quality and wallet.

Wash my hands the second I get home.

Semi-regularly wash the touch surfaces in my home including door knobs and light switches.

I don’t get sick like I used to.

Going for a walk is generally a good thing.

Team Sports are pretty good for a social life. As in casual leagues. Just daydrinking with extra steps.