I find if I have to focus to the point of not being able to form negative thoughts, then any activity, menial or not, will help me.
Music does help, since I'll usually focus, but the idea is to compete with the negative thoughts.
I think the idea of "menial" is subjective, since my skill level on a lathe wouldn't be as good as Davit's skill level.
I may try to change a flat tire tomorrow, and that may be menial for some, but it will be a welcome and confidence-building task if I can find the time to do it in the morning. It's not menial for me, since I may never have done it, and I have a small time window, and a lot to do. I like learn new things, though, and I like to set a goal and achieve it. In this case, I'd even save some time and money, since the kit costs so little, and the process, from what I've seen on youtube, could easily be done by anyone with the kit. The problem is that there may be a more serious problem, and risking an accident because of a blowout is not prudent, when I can have a professional do it. Of course the professional will charge a ridiculous fee, but that's just something about living in the big city that I have to deal with.
Davit mentioned once about counting as a distraction from anxiety, and I used to do that for work, so it's understandable now how I'm taking time adjusting....like being up at this very early time in the morning.
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