If there's one thing I've noticed about how people have changed since the advent of the internet and cell phone technology, it's how isolated we've become. Sure, it's easier than ever to keep in touch with one another, but most of that contact is now done through screens and brief written messages. It's no longer a necessity to be around actual people most of the day. In fact, I'm alone as I write this post for you guys. Frankly, I'm not sure it's healthy.
The problem, however, is that isolation breeds insanity - I mean, just look at what happened to Tom Hanks in Cast Away. He made it back, but not before making friends with a volleyball, performing major dental surgery with an ice skate and attempting to hang himself with home-made rope. So then, how does one keep from going crazy when faced with frequent or prolonged isolation? After all, the moment you start having hallucinations of Helen Hunt is the moment you know your mind is frakked.
Now, seeing as this is a man's website, I won't bore you with standard, fluffy suggestions like going to talk to a therapist or doing yoga. Assuming you're a man, or one of our lovely female readers, you want to know what a guy might do to cope with a looming case of the batshit-crazies. Well, here are a few ideas to consider, to be taken with a grain of salt, of course.
-Get JUICED: Exercise is key. Breaking a sweat and maintaining a healthy body contributes so much to a positive mental outlook that it's almost unbelievable. I'm sure a lot of you would prefer not to work out to solve your problems, because it's hard, time consuming and difficult to keep up with. If that's you, I have two words for you: shut it. Medical reasons aside, excuses are for pussies. A healthy mind is dependent on your ability to take action.
-Get Out: This, I've found, is a deceptively simple piece of advice. Sure, maybe your WoW guild needs help on a big raid, but when was the last time your eyes got to see the light of day? Between school, work, and all the very entertaining distractions we've got at our disposal these days, how often is it that we take a stroll in the park or literally smell our coffee (or tea, if you're me)? We are creatures of habit, but breaking them once in a while helps reset the mind and allows us to see how important routine is.
-Get Laid: Nothing like a good old-fashioned skin-smackin', ass-slappin', bodily-fluids-flying-everywhere type sexual encounter to get the mind back on track. Perfect example: Tiger Woods. He carries around a lot of tension in his balls. In order to relieve this tension, he puts his balls into as many holes as possible using his club. Perhaps for you, there's only one hole you like best, or one hole available. That's fine. Just be sure to use that hole as much as humanly possible.
-Get Drunk: Alcohol can certainly help keep your mind calm and in control, but only if you follow two important rules. Firstly, don't drink alone, as this can lead to serious side effects up to and including: you being more insane, you acting like a scumbag, and a severe case of crying while eating a poorly constructed sandwich. Secondly, like cold medicine, it's only a temporary aid, not a permanent solution. That said, having a drink with a few buddies after a long day or week of being holed up can really take the edge off - just treat your liver with respect.
What are some other good ways to stave off insanity?
Comments (7)
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Be creative : use whatever things in hand to create something new. I create stuffs from beer cans and sticks. That beer cans can change into toy helicopters or cars, ninja throwing stars or even a pocket knife. Sticks become a rope, fire kindling or slingshot.
I do rock climbing, body surf in the rivers, trekking and other outdoor stuffs.
Since I studied architecture, I can create house models from cornflakes or cookie boxes, cards, sticks and toothpicks. Keeps my mind occupied for hours and have fun at the same time.
I paint, play sports and party.
Will Smith did better in I Am Legend. That's because he makes friend with a dog.
Animals keep us sane if we try making friends with them rather than an inanimated object. Like a computer.
Go for the extreme : Push yourself physically to the limits. I do kickboxing and motorcrossing. Be reckless and have more fun.