Small Things to Do When You Can't Sit Still (and a Game for Each)

A few small, easy things — nothing to learn, nothing to get right. Each one has a game that does something similar, in case you'd rather have something to tap or drag.

Notice what's around you

Look around and take in a few things — the light, a sound, the texture of whatever you're holding. Small and easy, and it works.

Plankton Bloom does the same thing on a screen. Move your cursor through dark water and glowing plankton trail behind it. Nothing to figure out, just something nice to look at.

Slow your breathing down

A longer exhale than inhale, a few times. Simple, and it works.

Ember is built around exactly this. Fan a dying campfire back to life with your cursor, let it fade, and breathe along with it.

Give your hands something to do

Twirling a pen, tearing a napkin, straightening things on a desk — restless hands just want a task.

Sand Drift gives them one. Drag your cursor through the sand, pile it up, scatter it, watch it settle. Nothing to win, just something nice to do with your hands.

Watch something that doesn't need you

Clouds, fish in a tank, traffic below a window — something moving that you don't have to do anything about.

Shoal is built for exactly this. A school of fish glides through deep water and parts around your hand, then regroups behind you. Nudge it, or just watch.

Let a repetitive motion take over

Doodling, pacing, tapping a rhythm — the same small motion, over and over.

Mandala Weaver gives your hand one small motion to repeat. Draw a stroke and it mirrors across eight axes at once, into something intricate you never had to plan.

Get it out of your head

Say the thing you're stuck on, out loud or on paper. Naming it makes it easier to put down.

Inbox Infinity is the most literal one here. Crumple the email. Shred it. Set it on fire. Oddly satisfying, every time.