It is almost meditation what you describe. I like to meditate when I have the time and remember to do it. Meditation is one step further though I think. I have a good beginners book on meditation called "Mindfulness in Plain English." It can apparently help with do it yourself psychotheraphy too if you do it often enough -- which I don't. I'd like to have the time to get more advanced at meditation beyond just getting into a peaceful state of mind.

I don't watch TV. Just unnecessary noise in my opinion. I like quiet much better like the others who posted in this thread. Books are good though I think. But I have trouble finding one I am interested in reading. So that is where meditation comes in. I like to hike in nature as well, again when I have time, which is quiet. I will peruse the Google News to stay a little caught up in the world news.

(I am working now 9 am to 10:30 pm, on two jobs, plus a very part time business, so I don't have much time to meditate anymore let alone do anything relaxing, except weekends relaxing with the kids.)