Why Rest is Productive

While it might seem counterintuitive, especially with today’s uber-productive society, rest is actually productive. Even though being busy is often considered evidence of a life of value, rest is actually worth much more than you can imagine. In fact, being too busy can actually make you less productive, instead of more. Going full-steam ahead and without any rest, or at least adequate rest, can actually lead to a loss of productivity, while rest can be restorative and promote productivity.

Understand That Rest Doesn’t Equal Laziness

Somewhere along the way, our society equated business with value. The whole adage “if you aren’t moving ahead, you are falling behind” has perpetuated this myth.  In reality, the rest isn’t laziness or unproductivity. Neuroscience has even shown that downtime does more for productivity than simply “doing more” could ever accomplish. Rest can be a productivity strategy, and often leads to higher levels of productivity than skipping rest to do more.

Signs You Might Need to Rest More

If you feel run-down, you probably need more rest. The following are some common signs that indicate that you might need to rest more than you are now:

• Increased anxiety or depression
• Decreased motivation to do anything, especially things you once enjoyed
• Change in appetite
• Irritability
• Daytime fatigue
• Physical symptoms of exhaustion

If you notice any of these or other signs, this could indicate that you have moved past the “busy” stage and are in dire need of more rest. Allowing your body to remain in this state can lead to burnout and even cause significant physical symptoms.  

Insufficient Rest Can Impact the Brain

Not only can working too much, too hard, and too fast lead to burnout, but it can also negatively impact the brain. Not getting enough rest has been shown to lower the use of logic and reason, causing dysregulation and emotional unrest. Resting is an essential part of the body’s design and is a vital component to maintaining brain health and overall health as well. Not getting enough rest can actually reduce your capacity for productivity and your effectiveness on any task. 

Easy Way to Increase Rest, Even in a Busy Schedule

While you shouldn’t consider “getting more rest” yet another task to accomplish, it is imperative to take some steps to incorporate more rest into your daily life:

Lower Workload: Set boundaries at work. Ensure that you have enough downtime without demands on your time, your intellect, or your physical ability. 

Disconnect: If you are like most Americans, you spend a great deal of time on your phone. In fact, most are estimated to spend at least 5 hours daily surfing or scrolling social media. Instead of scrolling, take a walk, read a book, and refresh your mental battery. 

Engage in a Leisurely Activity: Hike, create, take a long bath or shower, go get a meal, take a class, whatever appeals to you. Find ways to take a break and to rest more, giving yourself permission to do something for no other reason than you enjoy it, not because it will get you further ahead. 

Make Sleep a Priority: Make sure you are getting enough sleep to adequately recharge your brain and restore your body. 

Rest is Productive

To sum it up, rest is productive, no matter what society might say to the contrary. Doing more isn’t always the best way to get ahead, and doing too much can most certainly cause exhaustion and burnout, so make rest a priority for greater productivity. If you're in the market for a vehicle that helps you find relaxing moments during your commutes and errands, contact the Client team today. Our luxury inventory prioritizes comfort and technology that make your life easier.