In today’s society, employees often feel guilty about taking time off, with many still taking a peek at emails and making themselves available while they’re supposed to be resting.
This belief that we always have to be “on” is detrimental to our ability to rest.
If work is still in the back of our minds while we’re supposed to be taking down time, we never truly recharge.
True rest is when we’re fully able to disconnect and unplug from work and our to-dos, it’s existing in the present moment and sometimes doing nothing at all.
The benefits of rest include:
Healing the body
Reduced stress
Boosted creativity
Improved productivity
Enhanced decision making
6 tips to get more rest so you can be more productive:
Take meditation or breathing breaks throughout the day:
Meditation reduces stress and improves focus and cognitive function.
Schedule daily time for rest:
If we don’t make time for rest, we’ll continue finding things to do instead of ever taking a break.
Scheduling rest as a non-negotiable can help you stay more accountable about taking breaks.
Create and enforce personal boundaries when it’s time for rest:
This could mean ensuring you take a full lunch break away from your desk every day or committing to clocking out mentally and physically once the workday is over.
Get enough sleep:
The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get 7-9 hours per night.
When we don’t get enough sleep, it’s harder to focus and be productive at work.
Take a nap:
According to a study published in the journal of Behavioral Brain Research, naps can improve memory and learning.
The time you take a nap can also result in different benefits; a nap earlier in the day promotes REM sleep and creativity, and when taken later in the day, it promotes physical restoration.
Immerse yourself in a creative or enjoyable activity:
Find a sense of flow while doing something you enjoy. Immersing yourself in an activity you love helps you reset and feel more grounded.
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Learn how to promote rest for increased productivity on your team in this week's Wellness At Work Newsletter.
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VitaliTeam Workplace Wellness provides solutions at the intersection of organizational health and individual wellbeing.
Learn more at www.dradeolamead.com/vitaliteam