A Guide to Geeky Relaxation

Written by Shae Rufe

​Are you guys feeling a little stressed out lately? I know I am. I’ve seen many a friend struggling with it too. It’s like, between work, and/or school, and/or life it’s all piling up, right? I’m seriously starting to wonder about my life choices…so! I’ve got a few ways to help us all wind down, and since we’re already thinking about the weekend, let’s focus on relaxing and being our nerdy selves.

The first thing I always want to run to when I’m not feeling myself is food. Why? Guys! Food is delicious. I am Italian and a few other things, and it all boils down to my genetics just love food. Who doesn’t love food. It tastes great. And looks pretty. Unless I’m the one cooking, and then it doesn’t. But Shae, (you say) how can food be nerdy?! How can it NOT be nerdy. We’re all secretly foodies. It’s fact, I’ve decided it. Now, one of my favorite foods lately is something a friend of mine from childhood used to make. She called them Cheese-toasties. I’m pretty sure there’s more to this than my modern interpretation, but it’s something she got from her mom, and I stole, because stealing is only illegal if you get caught. So, you take bread, I prefer sourdough, you butter it, put your favorite cheese on top, which is provolone for me, and you put it in the toaster oven or oven, until the cheese is bubbly, but not browning. Then you get some tea, curl up in your PJ’s with your toast and put on your favorite Doctor Who episode.

Speaking of Doctor Who, you could totally make yourself some Fish Fingers and Custard, but let’s just not, because they’re kind of not appealing together. You could, however, have custard and a wafer, cookie, or biscuit, that’s acceptable. Of course, if it’s Doctor Who, you could also get jellybeans as a snack, but I also prefer bananas and peanut butter. Because, really, you should always bring a banana to the party. Just don’t bring pears, though, that’s not cool. Also, guys, if we’re on the topic of food, for just a second, I have to share that whenever I’m watching The Walking Dead, I feel hungry. I don’t know if that’s normal or not. I feel I need to nibble while this show is on, and some part of me thinks that I might be crazy.

Alright, so we’ve got our snack, and tea, and Doctor Who, but maybe we’re feeling just a bit more…I don’t know. Social? Being with friends is a great way to de-stress and hey, friends like to play games. Friends, like myself, like to get together and play Munchkin. What a better evening then plotting deviously against all your friends to win at this fantastical card game. It’s plotting. It’s scheming. And above all, it’s totally back stabbing. But, in a fun, friendly, environment. Want to be more active? Guys, listen up. Superhero laser-tag. Is that a real thing? I just made it up, so yes. Put on your favorite Superhero shirt, divide into teams, and go shoot each other with lasers. It’s a great way to blow off some steam. Really, if you want to cosplay for that, you can, but remember, you’re going to be running around, so choose your cosplay wisely.

When all else fails, and only a few of you want to get together, I say order a pizza, pop in your favorite nerd movie, mute the TV, and totally mad-lib it. Make up the words and match it to the character on screen. It’s hilariously fun, and really, it tests just how much you’ve watched that movie. I’m not saying I could quote a few of them from start to finish, I’m just saying, I probably could. After all, being stressed about life isn’t fun. We need to make time for us. And of course, I mean, there’s always drinking games nerdy edition, but that somehow doesn’t work so great for lightweights like myself. Either way, these are just some of my ideas, feel free to share yours in the comment field below or on our Twitter or Facebook, I'd love to hear what you all do to unwind! 

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