What does relaxation really mean to you, and how do you make it a priority?

Relaxation Day was founded in 1985 by Sean Moeller, who was then in the fourth grade. In an interview in The Des Moines Register with Valerie Monson, Sean suggested people shouldn't do anything of real value. Cleaning and real work are not part of relaxation.

For those of us with ADHD, relaxing isn’t just taking a break—it’s how we keep our focus and energy going strong. When we actually unwind, it helps balance brain chemicals like dopamine, which often gets out of sync for us. This chemical reset stops us from burning out, gives our brains a much-needed recharge, and clears up mental fog. This helps us get back to work feeling refreshed and balanced, making relaxation a must-have for moving forward in our careers.

I agree with young Sean Moeller that cleaning is not a part of relaxation, that’s very perceptive of him. But his suggestion that people shouldn’t do anything of real value is subjective, and what counts as relaxing anyway? This is very much you-do-you, so let’s explore this.

I’m reminded of the classic Star Trek episode, “The Trouble with Tribbles”. Kirk told Scottie to go relax at the Space Station where a Klingon taunted the Enterprise crew which led Scottie to throw the first punch in a bar fight. Kirk confined Scottie to his quarters, for which Scottie thanked him because that would give him time to read his technical manuals.

For most people, going to a bar would be relaxing, while reading technical manuals might seem stressful, but Scotty felt the opposite. It’s a great reminder that relaxation is personal.

Do you have ways of unwinding that might seem counterintuitive to others? I do.

For me, my solo karate training between classes is how I relax. Many might find it too goal-oriented or intense, but it’s my way of telling myself that I’m important. It recharges me in a way that feels deeply satisfying and personal.

What’s your unique way of relaxing?

ADDITIONAL:

I took this photo at a friends' house. The mug was hand thrown by the wife of a mutual friend. I was sitting there watching the morning rain, drinking my coffee from the mug, and then I had the presence of mind to take the photo. I'm quite pleased that I did.