The Importance Of Relaxing To Improve Productivity

For many, productivity and relaxation are completely incompatible terms. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, relaxing is essential to “reset” your mind and increase productivity.

Tiredness and stress build up throughout the week. So it is convenient to rest on the weekend. The same happens throughout the day;  it is necessary to stop and relax so that the time spent on tasks has better results.

The importance of finding balance in your spare time

Some research shows that people tend to need more free time when they are stressed. This extra relaxation is used to compensate for the drop in mood that excess stress can cause. This compensation helps reduce stress and promotes increased productivity and personal balance.

However, the main problem with using free time to relieve stress is that we have a limited amount of it during the day. Also, many people barely include free time in their schedule. Even time to eat is limited.

Many people believe that increasing their leisure time can be counterproductive when they are too busy, that relaxing is a waste of time and that it only adds to their stress thinking that there is still a lot to do.

However, free time is essential to maintain balance, release accumulated tension and prepare for the next challenge. Rest is essential to recharge and increase productivity.

Do you really know your needs?

Knowing what your leisure goals are and keeping in mind a list of things you can do to reach them will help you make your leisure time more valuable.

Your goals for your free time might be to ease a tired mind or improve your mood, for example. Nobody knows what you need more than yourself.

Look for activities that help you relax

One of the problems with enjoying free time is that most people have very busy schedules. That’s why it’s important to find ways to relax that don’t take too much time and that are to your liking. Thus, in a short time, great benefits can be obtained. These activities can be watching or listening to a comedy program, reading, walking or jogging or going out for coffee outside the workplace, among many other possibilities.

Motivate yourself positively

For many, stopping and resting is an achievement, as they need to overcome many prejudices accumulated over the years. However, this rest will help you to have a better performance and feel much better when you finish, not getting tired and finding more satisfaction and motivation in what you do.

If you are one of these people, make an effort to positively motivate yourself. Rest will help you avoid feeling exhausted and immerse yourself in what you have to do, clear your mind and find more creative and effective solutions to the problems you encounter.

Relaxing to be less reactive to stress and increase productivity

When stress levels are at their lowest, we are less likely to need that much free time to balance them. By making a habit of taking small breaks, we can prevent stress from building up and also increase the ability to control reactions when stress builds up. Some of these habits are as follows:

• Exercise regularly (every day if possible).
• Practice meditation.
• Be grateful for nurturing positive thinking.