How to Rest Properly: Hacks for Workaholics 

Tired? It’s time to rest! Let’s find out how to bring your energy back, and not to get even more tired, as it often happens.

There are two ways to rest that really work.

Revitalizing Activities

There are no rules here, it works for everyone. Someone, for example, loves playing roulette online real money and considers it something akin to meditation. Find your activities by trial and error. The main thing is that the process – it’s the process, not just the result – should fill you up and bring you pleasure.

Often such activities are playing board games, picnics in the woods, and reading books. But social networks, computer games and shopping are controversial options. They can be enjoyable, but we often miss the moment when it’s time to stop. And we get stressed out, which is even more draining.

Doing Nothing

For most of us, this is the hardest part. We are used to jumping from action to action without giving ourselves a break. Pausing is unsettling and confusing. But it’s the pause that is sometimes the only opportunity to save or build up energy to get to that very active rest (optional, of course).

Our brains are constantly busy: we are thinking about something, deciding…. And we just need moments of “free wandering”, so that the information inside is shelved, and images are completed. Thanks to them, new solutions and ideas come to us. Action is born from stopping – it’s a natural rhythm of a living organism.

What Does It Mean to Do Nothing?

It’s often thought that, for example, sitting on social networks or watching a TV series is to do nothing. In fact, this moment is occupied by our hands – they are moving, touching the screen. Our eyes are busy – they are recognizing text. And, of course, the brain is busy – it processes information. A huge amount of information, in the case of social networks.

No, “doing nothing” is when you don’t do anything purposeful.

It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting at home, lying down, walking down the street. The main thing is that you are not busy doing anything in particular, including thinking about anything.

How to Learn to Do Nothing

Try to discern what beliefs about leisure live inside of you. For example, “idleness is evil, you have to do something all the time”, “when all the things are done, then you can rest”, “you can rest only if you are sick”.

Think about where it could have come from. You will probably find that this is exactly what someone in the family said. Consider this belief from the perspective of your adult experience: do you really feel that way yourself? You will probably want to adjust this belief or abandon it altogether.

How to Start Doing Nothing

First, put away whatever it’s you’re doing right now. Agree with yourself that you won’t do anything for a while and put your phone away

Take a deep breath. Change your posture, sit more comfortably. Focus your attention on your body: feel your breath. Listen to your heartbeat. Squaring your shoulders and stretching.

Pay attention to what is around you: look at objects and colors. Catch sounds, smells, and tactile sensations. Most importantly, stay in the position of an observer, not an active participant.

Try to prolong this state as long as you can. If in the process there is a desire to do something more active to restore your strength (for example, go for a walk in the park or read a book) – don’t deny yourself this. 

Learn to stop, don’t be afraid of pauses – they are useful and necessary for both rest and development. At first, it may be difficult: anxious thoughts will creep in, the desire to run to do something. This skill, like all others, requires practice – but the result is worth it.