The Art of Doing Nothing: How prioritising rest can help you slow down & be more productive
+ 3 things to help you slow down, prioritise rest and feel more calm and at ease in your life.
Do you ever feel like you’re running on empty, that you are desperate for a rest but there is never enough time in the day? Honestly, I feel you because I used to be the same and I truly think that in large part it comes from the way rest is viewed in our society. There is forever a push to work, to be busy, to be earning money, to keep purchasing and to keep our consumer-driven society moving. I say it a lot but we’re taught from a young age to wear busy as a badge of honour and we are often not taught how to rest, instead what happens is deep in adulthood we find ourselves burnt out and have to learn how to slow down and rest - and its not easy.
Life is busy and between caring for children, juggling household chores, paid work, unpaid labour and tending to countless other responsibilities it can be so challenging to carve out some much needed time to yourself. But what if I told you that prioritising rest and taking breaks will help you feel more rested and able to cope, and could actually help you be more productive in the long run?
Today I want to explore the art of doing nothing and how it can benefit you in your life, whatever your life looks like. Life looks different for us all and there is no one size fits all approach to what rest might look like, but there are a few simple ways you can embrace a slower life, simplify and take time for yourself. These things can be applied to each and every circumstance in whatever way you see fit. We’ll delve into the science behind why rest is crucial for productivity, provide tips on how to incorporate rest into your daily routine, and share how to overcome the guilt often associated with taking a break. So, kick up your feet, take a deep breath, and get ready to learn how to balance productivity and rest like a pro.
Why Rest Is Important for Productivity
Studies have shown that rest is essential for productivity. When we take a break, we give our bodies and minds time to rejuvenate and recharge. This allows us to come back to our tasks with renewed energy and focus. Additionally, taking regular breaks can help prevent burnout and reduce stress levels. When we consistently push ourselves without taking a break, we risk becoming overwhelmed and experiencing a decrease in productivity.
Now that we understand the importance of rest, the next step is figuring out how to prioritise it in our daily schedules. This can be oh-so challenging, especially when we have numerous responsibilities to attend to. However, by intentionally blocking off time for self-care and rest, we can ensure that we are taking care of ourselves and setting ourselves up for success. Sounds easy on paper but never seems to be that easy in reality, right?
How to Prioritise Rest in Your Schedule
One of the most significant challenges of prioritising rest is finding the time to do so. I am a busy mum of two, homemaker, home educator and I focus some time here, being a content creator. All things that are incredibly important to me. I have also been someone who in the past has worn that busyness as a badge of honour. It has seemed impossible sometimes to find the time and space to rest and relax, and what happens is I burn out - as we all do when we don’t get that time to ourselves.
It might sometimes seem impossible to find time and space just for us but we mostly can incorporate rest into our daily schedules in a variety of ways. Our lives all look very different so I am not here to tell you in any explicit way what you need to do, but just get you to rethink and reframe how you view rest and how you might be able to fit it into your unique life.
One effective method is by blocking off specific times for self-care and relaxation, such as taking an hour to yourself, scheduling a weekly massage, doing some yoga or taking time to read or do a hobby. If you have caring responsibilities this might not be able simple as just doing it, and might need further planning and help. Another way to prioritise rest is by setting boundaries with our work and personal responsibilities. This means recognising when we need to take a break and giving ourselves permission to step back from our tasks for a few moments.
Incorporating rest into our daily schedules not only benefits our mental health and well-being but also allows us to be more productive in the long run. By intentionally taking breaks and prioritising self-care, we can prevent burnout and increase our overall efficiency.
The Benefits of Doing Nothing
Taking time for rest and relaxation may seem counterintuitive when we have a long to-do list to tackle, but the benefits of doing nothing are numerous. Studies have shown that regularly incorporating rest into our daily schedules can improve our mental clarity, reduce stress and anxiety, and even boost our immune system. By taking a break from the demands of our day-to-day lives, we can recharge our batteries and return to our tasks with renewed energy and focus.
But not just this, while prioritising rest contributes to our overall well-being, it can also make us more productive in the long run. Research has found that taking regular breaks throughout the day can improve our cognitive function and creativity, leading to better problem-solving skills and more efficient work habits.
Incorporating rest into our daily routines may require some adjustment to our expectations and priorities, but the benefits are worth the effort. By giving ourselves permission to take a break when we need it and setting boundaries with our work and personal responsibilities, we can create a healthier and more productive lifestyle.
Incorporating Rest into Your Daily Routine
Incorporating rest into our daily routines can seem daunting, especially when we are accustomed to prioritising productivity over self-care. In a world that wears busy as a bad of honour we’ve almost become used to putting ourselves, and rest, on the backburner. However, by making small adjustments to our expectations and boundaries, we can create a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
Want to relearn how to prioritise yourself and rest? Here are some practical tips for incorporating rest and relaxation into your daily routine:
Take micro-breaks throughout the day: Set an alarm to remind yourself to take a break every hour or so. Use this time to stretch, meditate, or simply step away from your work for a few minutes and refocus.
Schedule relaxation time: Just as you schedule time for work and other responsibilities, make a conscious effort to schedule time for relaxation. This could mean reading a book before bed, taking a relaxing bath, or getting outside and going for a leisurely walk.
Say no to unnecessary obligations: We often feel guilty for saying no to things, but learning to prioritise our needs is essential for our overall well-being. Learn to say no to obligations that do not align with your priorities or values. Saying no is so important when cultivating a slow and simple life.
Incorporating rest into our daily routine requires effort and commitment when it can be so easy to push it to one side, but the benefits are well worth it. By taking care of ourselves, we can improve our productivity and overall quality of life.
How to embrace the slow down
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Overcoming Guilt and Prioritising Your Needs
Learning to prioritise rest can be challenging for many of us, especially in a culture that values constant productivity and work. It’s common to feel guilty when taking time for ourselves, but neglecting our needs can lead to burnout and decreased effectiveness across every aspect of our lives in the long run.
One way to overcome guilt is by learning to say no to unnecessary obligations. Now listen, I know this isn’t easy especially when we live in a culture and society that rewards our work to the point of burnout and considers rest as, on the whole, lazy. It is so important to understand that both our time and energy and limited resources and we must prioritise them accordingly. Saying no to obligations that do not align with our priorities or values can help us slow down, simplify and create more space for rest and rejuvenation.
Another way to prioritise our needs is by incorporating self-care rituals into our daily routine. This can be as simple as taking a few moments each morning to stretch or meditate, or setting aside time for a relaxing bath in the evening. By making self-care a priority, we can improve our physical and mental well-being and increase our overall productivity.
The Art of Balancing Productivity and Rest
One of the most challenging aspects of slowing down and embracing a life of simplicity rather than busyness is finding the right balance between productivity and rest. It’s easy to fall into the trap of never-ending to-do lists and constantly feeling the pressure to keep up with household tasks, but this can lead to burnout and exhaustion. On the other hand, prioritising rest and relaxation can also have negative consequences. If we spend all our time resting, we may never get anything done, which can lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety. So, how can we strike a balance between these two important aspects of our lives? One approach is to view productivity and rest not as opposing forces, but as complementary ones.
When we take breaks and allow ourselves time to rest, we recharge our batteries and come back to our tasks with renewed energy and focus. This means that taking breaks can actually improve our productivity. At the same time, when we prioritise productivity, we can create a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that can lead to greater feelings of well-being and reduce stress levels.
To find the right balance between productivity and rest, it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you. For some, working in shorter bursts with frequent breaks may be more effective than trying to power through for long periods without any rest. For others, scheduling specific times for rest and relaxation throughout the day may be more helpful. Ultimately, the key is to be flexible and adaptable. Homemaking is a constantly evolving role, and finding the right balance between productivity and rest may require different approaches at different times.
Prioritising rest can seem impossible. However, in reality, it’s essential to our productivity and overall well-being. By taking time to rest, we can recharge our batteries and approach our daily tasks with renewed energy and focus. Incorporating rest into our schedules and overcoming guilt can be challenging, but it’s vital for our overall health.