Introduction
We often think that being productive means making the most of every available minute. But sometimes the most productive thing you can do is step away from work altogether. A few days of quality rest can mean that you return to work feeling refreshed, re-energised and more productive than you were before. After returning to work, you may also find that you enjoy your work more and feel better able to focus on the tasks ahead.
What Does Quality Rest & Time Away Look Like?
Going on Holiday
A holiday does not necessarily need to involve travelling abroad or being away for a long period. Even a short break, a long weekend or a staycation can provide an opportunity to switch off, step away from work responsibilities and give yourself time to properly recharge.
Sleeping Well
Days off can be an opportunity to establish a healthy and consistent sleep routine. You can also take this opportunity to have a full number of hours sleep rather than the limited sleep that many of us get. You may sleep better knowing that you do not have the stress of work tomorrow.
Doing Activities That You Enjoy
Rest is not always about doing nothing. For some people, socialising with friends or family can be energising and restorative. For others, it might be reading, listening to music, cooking, exercising, playing a sport, pursuing a hobby or simply having some quiet time alone. What helps one person recharge may leave another person feeling more tired, so it is important to recognise what genuinely works for you.
Going for a Walk and Spending Time in Nature
Getting outside and spending time in nature can be a simple but effective way to create some space from work and everyday pressures. Going for a walk, visiting a park, sitting somewhere peaceful or getting out into the countryside can provide an opportunity to clear your head, get some fresh air and be more present in the moment.
A Change Is as Good as a Rest
If you just cannot pull yourself away from your work, you might try a different approach. There is an old saying that “a change is as good as a rest”. Instead of continuing with the type of work that you normally do, particularly if it is the type of work that has left you feeling in need of a rest, try switching to a different type of task.
For example, you could work on some of those less important, non-urgent tasks that you have been meaning to get around to. Alternatively, it might help to choose a task that is less cognitively demanding but still needs to be done. This can give you a sense of control and allow you to remain productive, while also giving your mind a chance to switch off from the more demanding work.
Sometimes, simply changing what you are doing can provide that feeling of rest and help you return to your usual tasks feeling refreshed.
Making Time for Rest
We need to be able to take breaks when our body and mind are telling us that we need them.
For many of us, particularly those working for an employer, at least some of our holidays may need to be planned in advance. However, if we were to schedule all of our allotted holiday days well in advance, we could find ourselves with no flexibility to take a break when we actually need one.
A better approach may be to schedule some breaks at the beginning of the year, while keeping some holiday days available to use when we feel we need a break.
Of course, those who are self-employed may have greater flexibility to take breaks when they feel they need them.
Burnout: When a Short Break Is Not Enough
This blog post will not cover burnout, as this will be discussed in more detail elsewhere. It is important to recognise, however, that burnout is different from simply needing a short break or some time to rest. When someone is experiencing burnout, they may need a longer and more sustained period of rest and recovery, rather than simply taking a few days away from their usual routine. For this reason, burnout deserves separate consideration and will not be explored further in this post.
Conclusion
Taking time away from work is not necessarily time wasted. Sometimes stepping back is exactly what allows you to come back with more energy, focus and motivation.
Thank you for taking the time to read our latest blog post. We have recently been working on an exciting new project for EffortRealm so stay tuned for updates on this and more!
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