My Favourite Way to Take a Break (Without Social Media)
18:02Like many other people, sometimes I hit a wall with endless screen time. I often caught myself scrolling through my phone (especially my social media) more out of habit rather than my actual interest. It's like a compulsive act of swiping through content or digital interfaces without any specific goal or purpose.
Mindlessly scrolling.
I used to accept it as part of the day: the brain clocks out, the slump, the low-key regret. I always felt a heavy guilt when I'm doom-scrolling through social media while bouncing between apps without even realizing how much time I've lost. It's not satisfying. My brain often feels stuck afterward.
When it happens, I realize that what I need is an engaging break that actively involves my brain, which feels more intentional. I understand that the terms "using my brain" already sound boring, so I look for ways that allow me to also have fun while working out my brain.
New Outlet for Mental Reset
So, when I was trying to procrastinate on writing articles (ironic, isn't it?) I stumbled upon this page of online games that looks like a space where only kids are allowed with some educational content for kids.
But, I didn't care. After spending some time trying a few games on the website, I caught myself hooked for a good reason. Some of the games are obviously designed for kids but other games on the website are surprisingly enjoyable for adults too. The proof is ME!
I wasn't skeptical at first because, as a kid, I used to love browsing online games. It's a pretty straightforward experience—open a browser, search for games, click, and play. No account needed, no pressure to maintain the leaderboard, and no money wasted on in-app purchases.
It's just pure, simple, and flexible gameplay.
But, as I grow older, I'm a bit picky about what games or platforms I want to get invested in. When I found this website, I didn't know that it would become my new favourite mental reset space. I wasn't expecting to spend at least an hour sorting digital liquids into different sizes of test tubes. But I did.
And, it was weirdly satisfying.
How I Got Addicted to Liquid Sort
The game is brilliantly simple, but also challenging (in a good way).
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You're given a set of test tubes, and you can choose the size beforehand. Each of the tubes is filled with multiple layers of different liquids that are different in colour. Your goal is to sort them into the same colour in one tube so each tube will contain only one colour.
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It sounded (and looked) easy when I first started playing it, but the moment I reached a level where I needed to juggle with six and seven tubes, it became more exacting while I tried to remember which tubes were safe to pour the liquids without getting stuck.
The complexity ramps up fast. This game demands your logic, careful planning, and strong memory. It's mentally engaging on a deeper level rather than being frustrating. It's like solving a puzzle wrapped in a chaotic rainbow.
Here's why I think this game works well as a break:
- Not passive - Liquid Sort activates your brain without tiring it. It requires you to solve something, not just doomscrolling.
- Goal-oriented - It gives you a clear objective to sort the colours while offering a sense of accomplishment, which something doomscrolling rarely provides.
- Visually soothing - The flowing animated liquids are aesthetically pleasing and calming, which helps in reducing screen fatigue.
- Light mental stimulation - This game challenges your brain in a gentle way. It doesn't flood your brain with noise and overstimulating visuals.
- Instantly accessible - No sign up or login required, no long waits (it loads fast), and no apps to download. You can just go straight to this website and play.
- Flexible devices - This site works great on smartphones, laptops, or tablets. It is even ideal for on-the-go breaks.
Not Just For Kids
The page where I found the amazing game, Liquid Sort, is technically an online educational resource. But they are also offering a collection of hundreds of different online games to users without any download requirement or aggressive ads.
You might feel overwhelmed at first but thankfully, they have recently made it easier to explore their games by categorizing them into different sections and types of games, which helps a lot, like:
- Brain Games - logic puzzles, mahjong, board games, card games, sudoku, math games
- Arcade - cross the road, match-3, platformers, running
- Sports - soccer, golf, basketball, cricket games
This categorization makes it easier for you to pick something fun for the mood you are in during your breaks.
I prefer the brain games section because it's like giving my brain a light workout without feeling like I'm overwhelming it with heavy studying. It effortlessly makes me feel like a genius. But if you prefer something fast and silly, you can hit the arcade category—they even have the classic pixel games you can have fun with.
Respecting Your Focus
Unlike most online games websites, this page won't swamp you with:
- Flashy clickbait games
- In-game ads that interrupt your focus
- Distracting pop-ups (social sharing or asking for email)
- Unwanted pressure to buy coins or upgrades
You just have to visit the site and play. It's genuinely enjoyable. So, when your 10-minute break is over, you can just go back to whatever work you are doing, hopefully with a clearer mind.
Final Takeaway
I believe that we all need a mental escape sometimes. With the emergence of advanced technologies nowadays, everyone spends most of their days with gadgets. I've found that replacing even just 10 minutes within that time helps to reset my brain. It helps me get back to writing tasks more relaxed and focused.
So, if you are currently getting that flop brain, consider checking out these games.
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