Which do you prefer?

[Eddie88]

Keeping your brain ticking helps you to sleep at the end of the day, probably similar to how he paints by numbers to tire his brain.


Keeping your brain ticking helps you to sleep at the end of the day, which is probably similar to how he paints by numbers to tire his brain.

It makes sense to me either way, but I'm sure others may find one they feel is clearer and reads better than the other:

Do you prefer the inclusion of which is, making it a relative clause, or
do you prefer it as phrase without it?

[OddThomas]

Well, the first is (obviously) a reduced relative clause, and you can get away with it. That said, the greatest fault I find is that in its reduction it begs to be parallel, perhaps like this:...probably similar to his painting by numbers to tire his brain.
Or, if you prefer:...probably similar to him painting by numbers to tire his brain.

[Eddie88]

...probably similar to his painting by numbers to tire his brain.


That's definitely the best option.

Cheers for your thoughts.