Feeling completely wiped out? I get it. When you’re so tired that you can barely keep your eyes open, the last thing you want is to do something time-consuming or complicated. But sometimes, the quickest and weirdest distractions can do wonders to jolt you out of that exhausted state. I’m not talking about the usual advice to take a nap or drink more coffee. No, I’m talking about quick, wacky things that are easy to do, and they just might give you that burst of energy you need to carry on.
Here are 10 off-the-wall but feasible ideas to shake off exhaustion when you’ve got zero motivation and want to do something fun, weird, and low-effort.
1. Try Singing Opera in Your Worst Voice
No energy to do anything? Use what little you have left to belt out some opera. But don’t worry about singing well. In fact, the worse, the better! When you’re exhausted, this works because it requires no real skill—just volume.
- Pick a random song: Whether it’s a pop song or an actual opera tune, go ahead and sing it in the most exaggerated, operatic way possible.
- Hold the notes dramatically: Even if you can’t sing at all, stretch out those notes like you’re auditioning for a grand performance.
- Laugh at yourself: The worse it sounds, the funnier it gets. You’ll probably crack up halfway through, and laughing itself is a great pick-me-up.
Singing badly takes no real effort but will leave you feeling refreshed simply from the absurdity of it.
2. Have a 60-Second Pillow Fight with Your Couch
Yes, you read that right—challenge your couch to a quick pillow fight. You’re tired, but this is a good, silly way to release some tension and burn a little energy without moving too much.
- Grab a pillow: Pick up the nearest one and give the couch a few soft hits.
- Go for it with energy: Throw in some dramatic moves, maybe a spin or two as you unleash your frustrations on the cushions.
- Time it: You only need to commit to one minute. After that, collapse on the couch, feeling victorious (and maybe a little less exhausted).
The point is to break the monotony with something completely absurd, but without requiring much movement.
3. Swap Your Shoes with Something Weird for 5 Minutes
Tired and bored? Look down at your feet. Now imagine how ridiculous it would feel to wear something completely wrong as shoes. It’s quick, requires no thinking, and will feel so off that it’s bound to wake you up.
- Use something around the house: Slap some plastic containers on your feet or wrap your shoes in aluminum foil.
- Walk around: Don’t just sit with your weird "footwear"—take a stroll around the house and feel how awkward it is.
- Laugh it off: The moment you start walking, the strange sensation and sight of your feet will lift the mood.
It’s a five-minute reset that’s bound to distract your brain from how tired you feel.
4. Make Faces in the Mirror
This one’s quick, weird, and surprisingly fun. When you’re too tired to function, stand in front of a mirror and just make ridiculous faces at yourself. It feels odd at first, but in no time, you’ll probably be laughing at your own reflection.
- Stretch your face: Open your mouth wide, raise your eyebrows, puff out your cheeks—whatever feels the most dramatic.
- Act like you’re in a silent movie: Imagine you're overacting in a black-and-white film. Use your face to express over-the-top emotions.
- Change expressions rapidly: Go from sad to happy to confused as quickly as possible. It wakes up your facial muscles and your brain.
In under a minute, you’ll break up the exhaustion simply by how goofy this feels.
5. Talk to an Inanimate Object
Sometimes, the weirdest things require the least amount of energy. Take a minute and start having a conversation with the closest inanimate object—whether it’s your toaster, a chair, or a plant. It’s a quick way to wake up your brain by doing something utterly nonsensical.
- Ask it questions: Get creative and ask your plant why it looks so relaxed while you’re so tired, or interrogate your lamp about its lighting abilities.
- Pretend it’s answering: Imagine what the object would say if it could talk. The crazier the conversation, the more amusing it becomes.
- Give it a name: By the end, you might have named your new “friend” and feel a little less tired thanks to the random conversation.
It’s weirdly fun, low-energy, and a great way to trick your brain into perking up.
6. Stick Your Head in the Freezer for 10 Seconds
This one’s fast and effective. If you’re feeling sluggish, open the freezer and stick your head inside for about 10 seconds. The blast of cold air shocks your system just enough to wake you up, and it’s over in less than a minute.
- Open the freezer door: Stand there with your face inside, letting the cold air hit you like a mini Arctic breeze.
- Breathe deeply: Take a couple of breaths in the chilly air. It’ll feel refreshing compared to the warm room you were just in.
- Pull your head out and feel refreshed: By the time you pull your head out, you’ll feel a bit more awake, and maybe even a little more alert.
This icy blast is like a quick mental reset without needing any effort.
7. Watch a 1-Minute Cat Video
Nothing shakes off exhaustion faster than a quick cat video. Seriously, the internet is full of them, and they never fail to deliver a giggle. Just make sure you set a one-minute timer, so you don’t fall down the rabbit hole of endless scrolling.
- Search for the funniest one: Type "funny cats" into YouTube or pull up your favorite TikTok animal video.
- Enjoy the absurdity: Whether the cat’s leaping into the air for no reason or getting stuck in a box, the pure randomness is sure to lift your spirits.
- Move on after a minute: Stick to just one video so that you don’t end up binge-watching and getting even more tired.
This is probably the easiest, most foolproof way to get a quick boost without any effort.
8. Throw a Sock at the Wall and Try to Hit the Same Spot
Feeling drained? Grab a sock, ball it up, and throw it at the wall. Your mission? Try to hit the exact same spot over and over again. It’s a little mind game that gives you something random to focus on for a few minutes.
- Choose your target: Pick a spot on the wall that seems easy enough to aim for but still requires some attention.
- Throw and repeat: See how many times you can hit that same spot. The more you do it, the more it feels like a silly little challenge.
- Change it up: After a few throws, move to a different spot or switch hands. Keep your brain just engaged enough without wearing yourself out.
This one’s so low-effort but oddly satisfying, especially when you finally hit that sweet spot repeatedly.
9. Wear Sunglasses Indoors for No Reason
You’re tired, so why not mix things up by putting on sunglasses indoors? It sounds ridiculous, but there’s something about the instant "cool factor" that gives you a strange boost. Plus, it blocks out some light if that’s contributing to your exhaustion.
- Grab your sunglasses: Pop them on, even if it’s the middle of the night.
- Walk around like you own the place: You’ll feel like a celebrity dodging paparazzi or a secret agent on a mission.
- Look at yourself in the mirror: The sheer absurdity of wearing shades indoors might just get you to laugh and lighten your mood.
It’s a no-effort way to feel cool for a few minutes, and the change in perspective is enough to perk you up.
10. Speak in Gibberish for a Minute
When words fail you because you're so tired, just start speaking in complete gibberish. This is a quick and fun way to get your brain moving without worrying about making sense. It’s a strange release that surprisingly clears your head.
- Start babbling: Let out any nonsense sounds or syllables that come to mind. Don’t think about it—just let your mouth go on autopilot.
- Keep going for a full minute: It doesn’t matter how silly or strange you sound. By the end, your brain will feel like it had a good stretch.
- Laugh at how ridiculous it feels: When you finish, you’ll probably be laughing, which is half the point.
This quick nonsense exercise is enough to wake up your mind and give you a break from exhaustion.
10 Things To Do When You Feel Exhausted
Sometimes when you're completely drained, all you need is a quick, weird activity to shake things up and reset your energy. These ten wacky but totally feasible ideas take almost no time and are guaranteed to help you get out of that tired slump.
Next time you’re feeling exhausted, try one of these and see how much it lifts your mood—without requiring a major time investment!
