What's the best way for a web designer to recharge?

I'm not saying that this is necessarily the best way for YOU to relax and recharge, I'm just saying that some of this has worked for me. Take away what you will.

  • It's a little bit obvious, but my first recommendation is cardio. Bike. Run. Walk. Elliptical. Dance to loud music. My personal favorite is swimming, if you can. Something about the regular breathing, and the quiet under the water. Plus it's literally and figuratively cleansing.
  • As a web designer, you're "creative", right? So sometimes you need to remind yourself what other creative people do. In some cities you can stop in at a museum. But if you don't happen to live near the Uffizi or the Metropolitan Museum, stop in at an art gallery. You neighborhood mall probably has one. Maybe you won't love what's on display, but even so, you'll be thinking about how you could do better.
    • Go to a museum
  • Museums and art galleries not an option? Try the arts section of the local bookstore. Pull up a stool and (if available) a capuccino and enjoy a guilt-free perusal of a couple coffee-table tomes. Borders and Barnes and Noble have provided me with much inspiration. Even the periodicals section will do in a pinch.
  • Have a drink with a friend. This may not be the healthiest option, but it definitely works. Don't want a beer? Doesn't matter. Lemonade and mineral water works, too. The main thing is the friend.
  • Cooking. I recognize that this one is entirely personal. Some people find cooking to be stressful. But I've been cooking for so long it doesn't stress me. It just blisses me out.
  • Try meditating. I've enjoyed the guided meditations of Thich Nhat Hanh. Another good starting point for beginners is a dvd; there are many, many good ones out there. It takes a little while to get into it and to lose the feeling of silliness. But you'll be surprised.

What doesn't work?

  • Doing more web design work at home to get "caught up"
  • Shopping (I've heard this works for some people, but it doesn't for me.)
  • Collapsing on the couch and watching tv
  • Jumping into another draining activity, like "discussing" family issues, cleaning the garage, or ajax programming. (As a side note, I should say that I find other artistic pursuits like drawing, photography, sculpture, etc. to be very generative and to inform everything else that I do. But I can't jump straight into them if my energy is low. In some ways they take even more out of me than my 9-5 job.)

For me, what's the secret? Finding an activity that's somewhere between totally mindless (watching Battlestar Gallactica in your pajamas) and totally demanding (a three dimensional chess match with your mother-in-law). Preferably something that raises your pulse rate, engages your senses, and makes you feel good. Thirty minutes is enough. But, hey, if you've got more time, go for it.