Watch a favorite movie during the day. Spend an afternoon reading a favorite novel. Sit outside and catnap for an hour.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to do any of these non-productive activities? Even, dare we say it, frivolous activities?
I’m betting it was so long ago you don’t even remember. I’m also going to go out on a limb and say you probably felt guilty when you did.
Right?
Well, it’s time to ditch that mentality. You’ll have way more efficient uptimes if downtime is a regular part of your routine.
You must learn to give yourself permission to relax, to recharge your batteries. You’ll find this simple step will lead to increased productivity, a more creative mind, and less stress.
You have permission to chill and relax.
The Single Most Critical Element Of Success
Instead of viewing downtime as wasted time, look at it as one of your single most important productivity components.
Society has taught you to feel guilty taking time off. You skulk around, rationalize your actions to others, even to yourself, and feel like you’re getting away with something.
Learn to feel good about taking downtime. It is critical to your mental and physical well-being.
Message Received?
You’ll know when you need downtime. Your body and mind will let you know.
That feeling when you have to force yourself to get busy? When you feel drained and just want to chill? Your body and mind are sending you a message.
But one look at your to-do list causes you to ignore the message.
One aspect of fitness is learning to listen to your body. We hear it all the time. “Listen to your body.” “Rest when you feel exhausted. Don’t push yourself hard when you feel discomfort or pain.”
When you feel overwhelmed or lack energy, listen to the message your body is sending. Trust that it’s leading you in the right direction.
Do something totally unrelated to your important responsibilities. Maybe even something mindless, like taking a few hours and watching one of your favorite movies.
Instead of feeling guilty, know that that time spent recharging your batteries is far from wasted time.
You’re refueling your energy stores.
Hit The Road, Jack
Now, if your energy levels are always low, there may be something more going on. Being tired all the time for no apparent reason may call for a medical consultation to see if there’s something physical going on.
Or maybe you’re not getting enough sleep. Rethink your sleeping habits and establish a routine that allows you at least eight to nine hours of sleep a night.
Also, sitting or being stationary for too long can make you tired. Lethargic. A walk around the block may do wonders.
But usually when you feel you’re running out of gas, unable to conjure a single creative thought, it’s an indicator that you need downtime.
The Death Of Creativity
There have been numerous studies done over the years that back up what I’m saying.
Consider this quote taken from a New York Times article entitled, “Relax! You’ll Be More Productive”:
“The importance of restoration is rooted in our physiology. Human beings aren’t designed to expend energy continuously. Rather, we’re meant to pulse between spending and recovering energy.
“In the 1950s, the researchers William Dement and Nathaniel Kleitman discovered that we sleep in cycles of roughly 90 minutes, moving from light to deep sleep and back out again. They named this pattern the Basic-Rest Activity Cycle or BRAC. A decade later, Professor Kleitman discovered that this cycle recapitulates itself during our waking lives.
“The difference is that during the day we move from a state of alertness progressively into physiological fatigue approximately every 90 minutes. Our bodies regularly tell us to take a break, but we often override these signals and instead stoke ourselves up with caffeine, sugar and our own emergency reserves — the stress hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol.” (Source: New York Times.)
You’ve learned to ignore messages from your body. You fear being labeled a slacker.
And that notion is killing you. Maybe not literally. However, you could make that argument.
Undoubtedly it’s killing your creativity and effectiveness.
Say Hello To Your Inner Beach Bum
So how do you build downtime into your schedule, without becoming the equivalent of a beach bum?
Here are just a few ideas. I’m sure you’ll come up with plenty of your own, once you think about it.
Go for a walk or a run.
Take an afternoon off and watch a movie, go shopping, garden, or read something purely for pleasure.
Take an entire day off and do anything you desire.
Meditate.
Exercise.
Do yoga.
Call a friend and chat.
Draw or color. There are coloring books made for adults. Pick one up and release your inner child.
Whatever you decide to do, and whatever amount of time you decide to take, don’t feel guilty about it.
Relaxing and letting your mind, and body, wander off the beaten responsibility path will ultimately make you that much more productive when you refocus.
It’ll make you more successful. You’ll reach your goals more quickly.
Challenges won’t stop you cold.
It’s all about balance and happiness.
You build all kinds of productive tasks into your day. Downtime is just as important as any of them.
Don’t leave it to chance.
Plan for it.
Schedule it.
Do it.
Make the most of this essential productivity tool. Without a single shred of guilt.
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