<p>I have not been able to find any term, medical or non-medical, which includes the word <em>asynchronous</em>, but to add to the answer by @user20460 there is the non-medical term <em>hobbies</em>.</p>
<p>Taking part in hobbies and other interests is recommended to anyone who suffers from anxiety and/or depression because not only can it provide a distraction, but it can also alleviate boredom which in itself <a href="https://www.anxaid.com/hobbies.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">can create or exacerbate anxiety</a> - see also, <a href="http://www.doctorhalima.az/files/books/positive_thinking_books/beyond_boredom_and_anxiety_csikszentmihalyi_en_1518.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Csikszentmihalyi (2000)</a>.</p>
<p>As NoPanic.org <a href="https://www.nopanic.org.uk/keeping-stress-to-a-minimum" rel="nofollow noreferrer">points out</a>, you should...</p>
<blockquote>
<p>do something that makes you happy. Every day should include a bit of ‘ME’ time. It may be losing yourself in a book, playing or listening to music or a self-pamper session. However busy life seems, you deserve that special time.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>References</h2>
<p>Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). <em>Beyond boredom and anxiety</em> (Vol. 721). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T12:37:19.343Z
Then I'm probably wrong about asynchronous.
Randy Zeitman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T07:14:25.260Z
2019-01-15T08:45:40.523Z
2020-06-17T09:55:31.633Z
Chris Rogers
<p>What you are describing sounds a lot like aspects of Occupational Therapy (sometimes called Ergotherapy). Occupational therapy can include prescribed activity such as knitting (to meaningfully occupy your time) and is applied to a wide range of health related issues including anxiety.</p>

<p>Here is a dictionary definition of Occupational Therapy 
<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occupational%20therapy" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occupational%20therapy</a></p>

<p>And here is a link to a definition from the University of British Columbia <a href="https://osot.ubc.ca/about/what-is-os-ot/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://osot.ubc.ca/about/what-is-os-ot/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T18:22:45.820Z
OT is not exclusively the prescription of activities like knitting and gardening, but this is just one aspect. Here is a recent scientific article describing these practices from the journal "Occupational Therapy International"   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22489029

For some less scientific articles about the use of such activities in OT https://psychcentral.com/blog/arts-crafts-in-psychiatric-occupational-therapy/
https://www.newgradoccupationaltherapy.com/early-occupational-therapy-history
user2705196
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T19:24:03.960Z
Those kinds of tasks are part of Occupational Therapy. I'm looking for the term used to describe the kind of tasks that are useful ... 'semi-mindless' or Grounding Techniques as noted above, which is a perfectly good answer for me and I've marked it as such.
Randy Zeitman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T13:41:27.767Z
2019-01-15T18:13:58.263Z
2019-01-15T18:13:58.263Z
user2705196
<p>I have read it mentioned as <strong>grounding-</strong> techniques or activities. Activities that pull you into the present, and, if possible, fulfill you by giving you the impression towards achieving a goal.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T06:17:25.960Z
2019-01-15T08:45:16.677Z
2019-01-15T08:45:16.677Z
user20460
<p>What is the medical term for semi-mindless activities to help reduce anxiety? ... such as gardening, mowing, cleaning... perhaps driving.</p>

<p>I recall that, maybe, the word asynchronous was part of the term <strong>* which based on present answers now seems less likely *</strong> .</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T05:20:01.153Z
I am not aware of a medical term but what's wrong with the non-medical term *hobbies* or *interests* ?
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T05:24:41.780Z
@ChrisRogers perhaps it's because those don't really mean a way to reduce anxiety? I think the correct word is *distractions*
Ooker
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T10:04:44.913Z
[Displacement activity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_activity)?
DevSolar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-15T12:34:58.460Z
Displacement activity would seem to be involuntary.
Randy Zeitman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-17T23:03:15.660Z
I do not understand Erik... the question states "to help reduce anxiety" ... what is not clear.
Randy Zeitman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-12T20:20:39.173Z
It may also be worth mentioning [mindful meditation](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356).  While the activities exampled are not specifically anxiety-reducing, they may have an anxiety-reducing component, which can be thought of as meditative.  Mindful meditation practices can incorporate such activities, so long as one is mindful of their attention, focus, and thoughts during the activity.
Arnon Weinberg
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-18T19:18:47.150Z
@DevSolar  not what I was looking for but a very useful answer regardless… Never heard of that but it’s good to know.
Randy Zeitman
<cognitive-psychology><behaviorism><stress><anxiety>
What is the medical term for semi-mindless activities to help reduce anxiety? ... such as gardening, mowing, cleaning... perhaps driving
Randy Zeitman
# What is the medical term for semi-mindless activities to help reduce anxiety? ... such as gardening, mowing, cleaning... perhaps driving

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-15)

What is the medical term for semi-mindless activities to help reduce anxiety? ... such as gardening, mowing, cleaning... perhaps driving.

I recall that, maybe, the word asynchronous was part of the term **\* which based on present answers now seems less likely \*** .

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, behaviorism, stress, anxiety

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I am not aware of a medical term but what's wrong with the non-medical term *hobbies* or *interests* ?  
> **username_2**: @ChrisRogers perhaps it's because those don't really mean a way to reduce anxiety? I think the correct word is *distractions*  
> **username_3**: [Displacement activity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_activity)?  
> **username_0**: Displacement activity would seem to be involuntary.  
> **username_0**: I do not understand Erik... the question states "to help reduce anxiety" ... what is not clear.  
> **username_4**: It may also be worth mentioning [mindful meditation](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356).  While the activities exampled are not specifically anxiety-reducing, they may have an anxiety-reducing component, which can be thought of as meditative.  Mindful meditation practices can incorporate such activities, so long as one is mindful of their attention, focus, and thoughts during the activity.  
> **username_0**: @username_3  not what I was looking for but a very useful answer regardless… Never heard of that but it’s good to know.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2019-01-15. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

I have read it mentioned as **grounding-** techniques or activities. Activities that pull you into the present, and, if possible, fulfill you by giving you the impression towards achieving a goal.


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-01-15. Score: 4

I have not been able to find any term, medical or non-medical, which includes the word *asynchronous*, but to add to the answer by @username_6 there is the non-medical term *hobbies*.

Taking part in hobbies and other interests is recommended to anyone who suffers from anxiety and/or depression because not only can it provide a distraction, but it can also alleviate boredom which in itself [can create or exacerbate anxiety](https://www.anxaid.com/hobbies.html) - see also, [Csikszentmihalyi (2000)](http://www.doctorhalima.az/files/books/positive_thinking_books/beyond_boredom_and_anxiety_csikszentmihalyi_en_1518.pdf).

As NoPanic.org [points out](https://www.nopanic.org.uk/keeping-stress-to-a-minimum), you should...

> do something that makes you happy. Every day should include a bit of ‘ME’ time. It may be losing yourself in a book, playing or listening to music or a self-pamper session. However busy life seems, you deserve that special time.

## References

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). *Beyond boredom and anxiety* (Vol. 721). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Then I'm probably wrong about asynchronous.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2019-01-15. Score: 2

What you are describing sounds a lot like aspects of Occupational Therapy (sometimes called Ergotherapy). Occupational therapy can include prescribed activity such as knitting (to meaningfully occupy your time) and is applied to a wide range of health related issues including anxiety.

Here is a dictionary definition of Occupational Therapy
<https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occupational%20therapy>

And here is a link to a definition from the University of British Columbia <https://osot.ubc.ca/about/what-is-os-ot/>

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: OT is not exclusively the prescription of activities like knitting and gardening, but this is just one aspect. Here is a recent scientific article describing these practices from the journal "Occupational Therapy International"   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22489029  For some less scientific articles about the use of such activities in OT https://psychcentral.com/blog/arts-crafts-in-psychiatric-occupational-therapy/ https://www.newgradoccupationaltherapy.com/early-occupational-therapy-history  
> **username_0**: Those kinds of tasks are part of Occupational Therapy. I'm looking for the term used to describe the kind of tasks that are useful ... 'semi-mindless' or Grounding Techniques as noted above, which is a perfectly good answer for me and I've marked it as such.  

---

