Everyone seems to allow the busyness in life to leave them depleted of energy. There is too much to get done and no time to take breaks.
America has become obsessed with busyness — it’s a badge people wear to show they are productive, competent and active. If someone says they aren’t living a busy life, they might be classified as lazy.
What if someone is neither busy, nor lazy? That person is probably rested.
Rest can be an elusive thing — difficult to find and difficult to keep. It’s something that is often under-prioritized in favor of productivity — but rest itself is actually productive. Effectively renewing energy allows people to effectively use it.
How can someone incorporate breaks and downtime into everyday life? Maybe instead of going directly from one thing to the next, set aside small amounts of time in between tasks to establish a margin of recovery and preparation for the next task.
In order to find optimal productivity, creativity and energy, we should take a short break every 90 to 120 minutes — sometimes being distracted from a task every now and then can actually allow one to accomplish it more efficiently.
The concept of rest isn’t new, look at nature for instance: A forest is naturally in a continual state of rest. Trees aren’t searching for rest — they are rested. Ocean waves crash on the shore then take a short break. Day falls asleep to let night illuminate the sky, following a rhythm. The principle of rest is built into the universe. Maybe we can learn something from this — instead of always trying to find rest, we should allow ourselves to be rested and find the rhythm of it. We fill our days with so much “doing” when we could use more “being.”
Many things in life are restful, but everyone has their own specific forms of rest and recharging. Identifying the forms of rest that are distinct to you can unlock a vast amount of productivity and general wellbeing.
The majority of people require the peace of solitude to find rest.
One proven form of rest includes reading a book. Immersing ourselves in stories allows us take our minds off the thoughts that have been dominating our minds and beneficially sidetracks us into another world where we can subtly deal with our underlying thoughts and issues in relation to the story.
Going on a nature walk is another great form of rest. Being in nature is refreshing and recharging. The sound of birds singing, the scent of crisp air and the sight of trees swaying in the breeze can provide some of the most energizing thoughts, and it’s available all the time.
Taking a nap can also help. Even a short 10-minute nap can immediately enhance energy, alertness and concentration according to researchers at Flinders University in Australia.
Listening to music is also a way to rest the mind, allowing a healthy release from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Also, doing nothing is certainly not a bad thing. According to neuroscientists, the brain never really turns off — it remains quite active when we are idle, allowing the mind to wander and daydream, which could be incredibly beneficial.
Whichever form of rest you choose, make it a priority. Schedule downtime, and allow yourself to spend time doing nothing.
We were made to rest. It is hardwired into our DNA. Don’t let the busyness drain you. Take a moment to breathe.
Andrew Brand can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @theandrewbrand