We can classify activities into Output, Input, and Neutral, based on their processing requirements and impact on our physiology.
Output: these are our daily productive activities, like the work we get paid for or cleaning our house. These typically require the most energy and processing.
Input: these are ‘taking things in’ activities that use less energy and are less taxing, like watching a movie, researching, or listening to a lecture. Introverts may favour them.
Neutral: these are non-processing things like lying on a bed, meditating, or going for a light walk without inputs like music.
Some people are energy bunnies, designed to do until it’s time for bed. Yet even there, it’s good to recognize when we’re reaching capacity and wind down. If we don’t know how to relax, we can get stuck in doing, even when we’re done. We may find that anxiety climbs if we’re not occupied.
Others disengage and relax by shifting from Output to Input and vegging in front of the TV. However, Input is often not all that relaxing, like watching the news or a horror film.
Depending on our current capacity and energetic makeup, most people need more Neutral time than they’re getting. Time to recharge and time to process the day.
This can be challenging when our culture tells us relaxing is lazy or unproductive. But if we don’t learn to take care of ourselves, our quality of life gradually slides, and we can burn out. Remember that doing is for living. It’s not an end in itself.
Davidya