Watching a series for hours, scrolling on your phone or simply doing nothing are for many synonymous with relaxation. But in some people, they have exactly the opposite effect. They need calm, novelty or an activity that mobilizes their attention to really relax.
A tendency often associated with people said to be “very intelligent” or very analytical, but which must be qualified: no study supports the assertion that people with a high IQ hate the same activities as others. However, some research suggests that solitude, intellectual stimulation, chosen activities or even sensitivity to the environment can influence the way we relax.
Here are 11 habits that some very mentally stimulated people may have trouble considering as restful.
1. Watching programs “just to pass the time”
For some, starting a series without really watching it or chaining videos allows you to take a break from a busy day. For others, this form of passive entertainment quickly becomes boring.
These people may prefer an activity that requires more of their attention: reading, cooking, crafting, playing an instrument, playing sports or working on a personal project.
The idea is not that they are “too intelligent” to watch a series, but simply that their brain seems to appreciate a chosen activity more than a succession of content consumed mechanically.
2. Endless scrolling on social media
A few minutes on your phone can easily turn into an hour of auto-scrolling.
The problem isn’t just screen time. Permanent scrolling also exposes the brain to a very rapid succession of information, images and requests.
For some people who already tend to think a lot, this accumulation can be particularly tiring. A truly relaxing break can then consist of leaving the screen rather than switching from one application to another.
3. Very noisy parties and crowded places
Not everyone recharges their batteries the same way. Some people enjoy big parties and busy environments. Others quickly feel exhausted in busy places.
Loud music, simultaneous conversations, movements around you and multiple requests constitute all stimuli to be processed.
So it’s not necessarily a question of intelligence. Personality, sensitivity to noise, fatigue or even stress level can largely explain this preference for quiet environments.
4. Discussions that loop
Complaining can provide temporary relief. But when a conversation is all about repeating the same frustrations without looking for a solution, some people quickly give up.
They may have a greater need to understand the problem, exchange ideas or take action.
This does not mean that you should never complain: expressing your emotions and seeking support is part of a normal psychological life. Above all, it’s the endless repetition that can become exhausting.
5. Doing nothing for hours
Laying on the couch and not planning anything can be just what you need after a tough week.
But for some people, the complete lack of activity quickly becomes uncomfortable. They prefer to walk, read, draw, garden, cook or simply think.
And contrary to popular belief, resting does not necessarily mean being completely inactive. A quiet walk or a manual activity can be a real mental break.
6. Watching the same movie over and over again
Why can some people watch their favorite movie ten times while others need something new?
The answer could notably lie in the feeling of familiarity and control provided by already known stories. Research has studied this phenomenon and suggests that rewatching familiar content can indeed serve a comforting function.
Conversely, some people find more pleasure in discovery and need novelty to maintain their attention. There is therefore no right or wrong way to watch a film: it all depends on what you are looking for at that moment.
7. Always listen to the same songs
Same logic with music. For some, listening to their favorite song on repeat is extremely calming. For others, hearing the same song over and over quickly becomes unbearable.
However, music can help regulate mood and well-being. Again, personal preference matters more than intelligence level.
8. Recorded nature sounds
Rain, waves, birdsong… Nature sounds are often used to promote relaxation.
And the research is more in this direction: a study published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening observed favorable effects of natural sounds on attention and certain indicators of relaxation in young adults.
Another study carried out in a natural environment also noted better physiological and psychological recovery in spaces with more visual and sound naturalness.
But then again, not everyone likes listening to artificial rain for two hours. For some people, these sounds instead become an additional source of distraction.
9. Do like everyone else
Following the habits of those around you can sometimes be comfortable: you don’t need to think about every decision.
But some people particularly appreciate the fact of choosing their own way of functioning, even when it is outside the group’s habits.
This may concern leisure activities, cultural tastes, the organization of daily life or even the way of working.
Needing autonomy, however, is not a sign of intelligence in itself. This is a characteristic that we find in very different profiles.
10. Environments saturated with noise and images
Television on constantly, loud music, notifications, smartphone within reach… For some, this agitation allows them to not think about their problems. For others, it ends up becoming exhausting.
The brain constantly processes information from our environment, including sounds. Sensitivity to noise can therefore significantly change the way a person experiences an environment.
Recent work on soundscapes shows that the acoustic quality of an environment can be associated with recovery after stress.
11. Readings that are too predictable
Reading a light, predictable novel can be a great way to relax. But some people need a more complex story to really enjoy it.
Plot difficult to anticipate, nuanced characters, information to link together… For them, intellectual stimulation is part of the pleasure.
This obviously does not mean that a simple book would be any less good. After a tiring day, an easy read can be just what the brain needs.
So, is it really a question of intelligence?
This is probably the most important point to remember.
Not liking noisy parties, hating small talk or needing an activity to relax does not mean that you are smarter than others.
A study published in the British Journal of Psychology notably studied the link between intelligence, frequency of social interactions and life satisfaction. His results fueled the hypothesis that some people who are more reflectively oriented may derive more satisfaction from periods of solitude. But this does not allow loneliness to be transformed into a marker of intelligence.
Personality, introversion or extroversion, sensory sensitivity, fatigue level, anxiety and lifestyle habits also play a role.
And above all, an activity that relaxes one person can perfectly annoy another.
If you need to walk alone for an hour to get your ideas straight, read a complicated novel rather than watch a series, or turn off all notifications to breathe, it’s not necessarily because you have a “smarter brain.” It may simply be because you have found the form of rest that best suits your functioning.