[zarzavat]

Could it be however that our mindless scrolling on the internet is more exertion than rest? I certainly don’t feel rested after using it.

Conversely many things which are in principle exertion can actually have restorative effect.

[tempestn]

Absolutely! The book I mentioned actually covers exactly this. Similarly, you can be exerting yourself in one way while restoring yourself in another. (A lot of people feel emotionally refreshed after a hard workout, for instance.)

[CubsFan1060]

I love this comment. I agree. After work, if I spend a few hours doing "mindless internet stuff", I feel much worse than if I do something that requires more physical effort, but is more rewarding.