How Lazy Days Can Help You Become More Productive

Do you think that constantly working long hours will make you more productive? It’s a common misconception that having super long days will result in increased productivity. In fact, this is far from the truth.

Because we keep ourselves in a constant state of work and doing stuff, we often overlook taking time to relax and replenish our energy. A quick break is the best way to give your brain some downtime while also boosting your productivity.

Maybe it’s because you’re burnt out from making a hundred different plans for your week — or maybe, after a long day of work, you want to curl up on the couch with a great story to distract you from reality.

Whatever the case, sticking to old habits will lead to old results.

Today, I’m going to share an unusual way of getting more done. It’s not about setting goals or racing against time. There are many benefits of taking a day off work to do something fun and enjoyable. Not only can you meet new people and have new experiences, but sometimes we just need the break. We need to recharge our batteries.

We’re often told to get busy and get things done. But what if your approach to life was more like crafting? Craftsmanship requires slow, steady work. When you’re making things, you don’t want to be making a lot of changes all at once. Instead, make small improvements that add up over time.

This doesn’t mean you stop traveling or stop working hard on projects- it means that when you start working on something new, you don’t try to do it all at once. The key is being aware of which tasks are easy and which require more mental resources. This is why those mornings where you just need to lie down and watch a movie are so valuable- they’re moments for slowing things down and savoring the moment.

How could a simple weekend help you become more productive?

By giving you extra time to think, maybe? Saturday morning cartoons, yoga, walking for exercise — anything that relieves you of your daily pressures can help you get a better grip on your important tasks and projects. When you have these breaks, don’t you come back feeling better rested and clearer-headed, ready to take on whatever challenges you face?

When you’re stuck in a rut, letting your mind wander can help dig you out of it. Even if your mind isn’t completely clear, giving your mind room to daydream, ponder, and contemplate things can help you move forward.

If you find yourself avoiding tasks or getting frustrated when trying to tackle big projects, try slowing things down a little. Break things down into smaller tasks for important projects and repeat until completed. Giving yourself breaks, pauses, and yes, on the weekends (or whenever you can) a day off altogether to think, contemplate, read and create for yourself.

We’ve all been there: You get home from a long day at work and want to shut your mind off, do nothing, just forget about all the stresses of your day. Or, sometimes, you find you can’t shut your mind off so easily, so you work on other projects instead.

If you’re like me, this usually happens toward the end of the week, when I know my scheduled day off is approaching. There’s nothing wrong with wanting some downtime — to unwind, relax, and get your creative juices flowing on other projects. Especially if you’re the creative type. It’s part of the hardwiring.

Give yourself a day or two to just clear your mind and come up with a productive solution to the things you’re working on.

Do something that’s different than what you normally work on. The more focused you are on something other than your normal tasks, something that feels fun, and pushes you to use other sides of your creativity, the more energy you’ll feel coming back to your main task as your mind won’t be able to help itself but to wander in its direction. Your regular work and tasks will become the distraction of your side project.

When you’re tired, the gears grind slower.

Lazy days can do wonders for your mental health and productivity. In the normal course of events, when you’re awake and working, your mind wanders from day-to-day problems, plans, and concerns.

When you take a nap or go for a walk, your mind gets clear and focused — which can help eliminate distractions and get things done more efficiently.

For busy professionals, a day off means a chance to rest, unwind and recharge your batteries.

Today’s busy people often have very specific ideas about what they want to accomplish for the day. They are usually focused on finishing tasks or moving toward some specific goal, thinking that doing more means being more productive. Sometimes it does, but after a while, you’ll hit a wall and burn out. It happens to the best of us.

A well-planned day off can be the difference between hitting some rough patches and continuing to push through. A creative mind needs breaks from monotony. Take little breaks daily, and a whole day or two off once a week to recharge your batteries and refocus on your projects.

The best way to build momentum for a creative project is to create a routine around it. This will give you clarity about when to move forward and when to pause. When you take regular breaks from your main task, you are re-setting your priorities so they are in line with where you want to be in your life

Remember, it's OK to catch your breath.

Life has a way of catching up with us and making us rely on less. Productivity is a necessity but so is taking care of ourselves mentally and physically.

Sometimes a lazy day can turn into a productive one by helping you focus on something else. Taking time off from work is a great way to rejuvenate yourself and clear your mind. You might be surprised at the new ideas, skills, and insights that pop up after taking some time to hit pause, catch your breath, and take care of yourself.