Robby, I think you need to keep your brain more active than watching a movie and going for a walk.  (Not that those aren't awesome things to do, of course).

Your brain can't hold two different thoughts at the exact same time, so any time spent thinking about something else is time NOT spent thinking about using.

Ever go into a bookstore or the library and wander around checking out the wonderful world of books?  How about taking your wife to discover a new, little-known-but cool neighborhood?  Take a pen and a pad of paper down to the Wharf and watch people and take interesting notes on how they behave.  Clean out your closet.  Research an interesting subject online (and I don't mean PNP posts!)  Anything, just to think of something else and exercise yer brain.