How I Trick My Brain Into Relaxing (Even When It Doesn’t Want To)

Feeling Too Stressed to Relax? You’re Not Alone.

Ever tried to force yourself to relax, only to feel even more stressed? Same.

When my brain is in overdrive, traditional advice like "just breathe" or "meditate" feels impossible. So, instead of fighting my brain, I trick it into calming down.

If your mind refuses to slow down, try these weird (but effective) hacks that help me every time.

1. Narrate Your Life Like a Nature Documentary

When my brain won’t shut up, I turn my life into an episode of Planet Earth.

🎙️ “And here we have a human in its natural habitat… attempting to make a simple decision, but instead spiraling into existential dread.”

Why does this work? It interrupts anxious thought loops and forces my brain to shift perspectives. Plus, it’s ridiculous enough to make me laugh, which instantly lowers stress.

📌 Try it: Next time anxiety hits, describe what you're doing in a serious, dramatic voice. Bonus points if you use a British accent.

2. Pretend You’re an NPC in a Cozy Video Game

When I'm overwhelmed, I imagine I’m just a non-playable character (NPC) in a relaxing game like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley.

✨ That means my only job is to do simple, calming tasks:
✔️ Water plants
✔️ Make tea
✔️ Fold a blanket
✔️ Organize one small thing (not the whole room!)

Doing small, low-stakes actions tricks my brain into feeling productive without the pressure.

📌 Try it: Choose one easy, cozy task and pretend it's your NPC quest for the day.

3. The “Five Things” Trick (Sensory Grounding Made Fun)

Instead of a basic "5-4-3-2-1" grounding exercise, I turn it into a challenge:

🖐 Find five things that match a theme.

• 5 things that are soft

• 5 things that are blue

• 5 things that remind you of a good memory

This works because it hijacks your brain’s attention, pulling it away from anxious thoughts and into the present moment.

📌 Try it: Choose a fun category and start scanning your surroundings—like a scavenger hunt for your nervous system.

4. Set a Timer and Do Nothing

This one sounds too simple, but it’s surprisingly powerful.

I set a 5-minute timer and give myself permission to do absolutely nothing. No phone, no thinking about to-do lists—just staring at the wall or lying on the floor.

At first, my brain panics. Then, it realizes nothing bad is happening. By the time the timer goes off, I usually feel way more relaxed.

📌 Try it: Set a short timer (start with 2-5 minutes) and challenge yourself to do nothing at all.

5. Trick Yourself Into a “Fake” Nap

If I can’t relax, I pretend I’m going to take a nap—but never actually fall asleep.

😴 I do the whole routine:

• Lay in bed

• Close my eyes

• Breathe deeply as if I’m drifting off

The trick? I remove the pressure to sleep—I'm just resting. But more often than not, I end up accidentally dozing off or at least feeling calmer.

📌 Try it: If you can’t sleep, just pretend to. Your brain will follow.

Final Thoughts: Your Brain is a Stubborn Toddler—Trick It Gently

If you’ve ever tried to make a toddler do something they don’t want to do, you know it rarely works.

Your brain is the same way. Instead of forcing relaxation, try sneaking it in through silly, unexpected methods.

The next time your mind refuses to chill, try one of these tricks:
✅ Narrate your life like a documentary
✅ Pretend you’re an NPC doing cozy tasks
✅ Play a "Five Things" scavenger hunt
✅ Set a timer and do nothing
✅ Fake a nap

You don’t have to fight your brain—just outsmart it. 😉