Suggestion: Just put on some ambient noise and do nothing for 5 minutes

This post is part of Hard Refresh, a soothing weekly column where we try to cleanse your brain of whatever terrible thing you just witnessed on Twitter.

The internet's deep well of ambient noise websites are usually touted as productivity hacks -- as in, "listening to soft rain sounds while you sit at your desk will help you work faster."

That might be true (in fact, it probably is), but I don't really care. In my opinion, ambient noise shouldn't be relegated to the background. It should be the main attraction.

If you really want a break from the online trash compactor, but have exhausted our global supply of hot knife ASMR videos, here's your next move: put on some ambient noise, set a timer for five (5) minutes, and then do absolutely nothing. I'm talking eyes shut. Headphones in. Aware, for the first time in weeks, of your own breathing. That kind of shit.

Hmm, what kind of ambient noise should I listen to? you wonder. As with most decisions that involve your brain's relationship with 2018, that choice is ultimately up to you. If you live in a quiet locale, it could be as as simple as listening to your dog snore for 300 seconds. A blessing!

But if you don't have the luxury of quiet surroundings, there are a few online options. First, there's the classic Rainy Mood, which has been a mainstay since the internet's late Geocities period. This is a nice option if you're into intermittent thunder, sleep better during rainstorms, and aren't too picky about what constitutes "ambient noise."

For a more customizable experience, consider A Soft Murmur, which allows you to mix your own auditory cocktail of rain, crickets, coffee shop ambiance, birds, and more. (My personal favorite: half-volume fire + half-volume rain -- a combination really only possible in an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.)

If it's strictly an app you're after (you're on the go, I get it), the above suggestions are downloadable in app form. There's also Noisli, another sound mixer with an aesthetically pleasing interface and, if you want to veer into fancy territory, White Noise, which features a "pro" version with 50 possible sound loops and the ability to save your favorite mixes for later use. (That'll cost you $2.99, but once you find a mix that does the trick, it might be worth the initial investment.)

The first time I did this, I found that five minutes seemed a lot longer than five minutes. In fact, the first time I did, it felt like absolute torture. But perhaps that speaks to how much I needed to take a breather -- and, for what it's worth, the other times I've tried it haven't been so bad. It's not meditation, necessarily (although it certainly could be) but it is a simple, easy-to-execute, low to no-cost break.

And you don't even have to wait for it to rain!