What are your productivity hacks for recovering in your free time?
I don't know about you, but I feel like I've been working non-stop for years now, and I don't know how I'm able to do it. And it's often because I include activities in my daily life that make my work more enjoyable or break up the monotony.
For example:
– I exercise every day (and listen to video casts about tech, business, and marketing in the background)
– I read books, because longer texts force me to be focused
– I learn foreign languages – although I don't take it strictly, but more like active relaxation
– I go for walks or runs
– I meet new people (business speed dating, conferences) – it's a pleasant new stimulus for the brain
– I travel to new countries
What are your activities that keep you from going crazy from work,😆 yet enrich your life and also enrich your life and feel productive?
Replies
Product Hunt Wrapped 2025
Love this. I’ve been in the same loop working, building, launching nonstop.
What helped me most was switching context instead of stopping completely.
Sometimes that means:
Taking a long walk but still brainstorming ideas for my projects
Reading founder stories or product launch posts
Journaling about what went wrong that week (super underrated mental detox)
Feels like recovery and progress at the same time.
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@alexcloudstar Which founder story motivated you the most?
Product Hunt Wrapped 2025
@busmark_w_nika Probably Marc Lou. Dude just keeps building quietly and improving every time. No hype, just progress.
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@alexcloudstar He is in great shape too! :D
I usually get distracted very easily, it’s a bad habit of mine. By the time I realize I’ve lost focus, quite some time has already passed, and I have to start over again. I’ve been trying for years to be more disciplined toward my goals, but I still don’t understand why I’m like this.
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@nitin_joshi Don't you have ADHD? :D but in reality, it takes around 25 minutes to refocus back when you are distracted by something.
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@nitin_joshi Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Cal ID
Switching things up always helps! For me, it’s working out, playing some instruments, and catching up with friends outside of work.
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@sanskarix what instrument do you play?
Cal ID
@busmark_w_nika I play 10+ intruments haha. Most of them are Indian and Asian instruments, but some notable ones are - Drums, Piano, Guitar, Tabla and Flute
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@sanskarix Whaaaaat? When did you have time for that? :D
Cal ID
@busmark_w_nika Hahah, I've been a musician since I was 5 years old. Can't imagine surviving without music (even if I'm the CEO of Product Hunt)
I resonate with your list a lot! I've been practicing yoga daily for a couple of years now, and it's been an amazing addition to my routine.
Meditating, journaling, or cooking are other activities I turn to when I need some time for myself to recharge. I'm also interested in learning languages (currently delving deeper into Portuguese), traveling, and attending networking events. Wandering around the city / in a park without my phone is also super helpful in my case. When it comes to books, I'm glad I added them back to my evening routine, as reading really helps to wind down at the end of a tough day.
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@ruxandra_mazilu What book are you reading rn? :)
@busmark_w_nika The Island of The Missing Trees, Elif Șafak - enjoying it fully!
What about you?
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@ruxandra_mazilu That's new to me :)
IXORD
I love doing something new because it helps the brain experience completely different sensations. It feels like something fresh, like in childhood when every step seemed magical and everything around felt full of wonder. To achieve that feeling, I believe it’s important to engage in something new, as it resets the mind and leaves us feeling refreshed.
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@ixord New activities will help you to get a new perspective in your life :)
@busmark_w_nika I try productive rest things like puzzles, doodling, or reorganizing my space. My brain rests, but still feels engaged.
I think exercise is super important.
For me it's anything that enables me to switch my brain off. Swimming and climbing do the trick for me!
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@theo_crewe_read I think I should pick up a new activity too. But on the other hand, I need more free time when I don't do anything, because my body asks for that :|
@busmark_w_nika It's a vicious cycle!!
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@theo_crewe_read I literally cannot decide :D
I can totally relate, it’s so easy to feel like life is just work on repeat.
For me, balance comes from mixing in things that recharge me mentally.
I hit the gym regularly, spend time teaching or learning something new, and explore creative side projects.
Those moments help me reset, stay curious, and bring fresh energy back into my work.
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@atif_qureshi2 What creative project have you started recently?