Why rest is the ultimate productivity hack that you need to prioritize
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In the current atmosphere of hustle culture in today’s society, we are becoming increasingly demanding of ourselves. To make ends meet we have to work harder and if we want to achieve the success we desire we must keep at it relentlessly. Find out in this post why rest is the ultimate productivity hack that you need to prioritize.
I myself believe in the principle of diligence and hard work being a path to success but I think hustle culture takes the mantra of working hard to an extreme extent that is counterproductive in the end.
In my experience of facing tedious and challenging tasks, I have come to appreciate the importance of rest. I have come to learn that prioritizing some time to rest can actually make you accomplish more.
Because I think this topic is not talked about enough in the productivity space, I want to share with you some ways backed by science that prioritizing rest can actually help you be more productive so you too can also start prioritizing rest.
1. How Rest Improves Your Brain Function
Do you notice that after a good night’s sleep, you feel more alert, focused, and creative? That’s because rest is not just essential for your physical health, but also for your mental performance.
When you’re constantly working, your brain doesn’t get a chance to recharge, leading to decreased cognitive function, lower creativity, and higher stress levels.
- Resting helps your brain to consolidate memories: Have you ever struggled to remember something after a sleepless night? That’s because sleep is essential for consolidating memories. During sleep, your brain processes and stores memories, making it easier for you to retrieve them later.
- Rest Improves your problem-solving skills: When you’re tired, it’s harder to think clearly and solve problems.
- Rest Boosts Creativity: Ever had a creative breakthrough after taking a break? That’s because, while you were resting, your brain had the time to make new connections and come up with new ideas.
- Rest Reduces Stress Levels: When you’re stressed, your brain is constantly in fight-or-flight mode, making it harder to think clearly and focus. Rest helps calm your nerves and reduces the production of stress hormones like cortisol.
- Rest Improves Learning: When you don’t get enough rest, your brain finds it a little hard to integrate new information.
2. How Rest Helps You Stay Focused
- Rest Helps You Recharge: Have you observed that you feel more focused and alert after taking a break? That’s because rest helps you recharge your batteries. When you take a break, you give your brain time to recharge.
- Rest Helps You Avoid Burnout: When you’re constantly working without taking breaks, it can lead to burnout. Burnout can cause a lack of focus, productivity, and motivation.
- Rest Helps You Prioritize: When you’re tired, it can be difficult to prioritize your tasks and make better decisions.
3. How Rest Boosts Your Energy Levels
- Rest Helps You Improve Your Mood: When you’re feeling down or in a bad mood, it can be difficult to find the motivation to get things done. Rest can help improve your mood by giving your body time to relax and release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.
- Rest Helps You Improve Your Physical Health: Physical exercise is important for maintaining good health and energy levels, but rest is just as important. Rest helps your body recover from exercise and gives your muscles time to repair and rebuild.
4. how rest can reduce your risk of burnout
Burnout is a very real and very serious issue that can affect anyone and I can tell you from experience that preventing or avoiding burnout is much easier than recovering from one.
Burnout occurs when we push ourselves too hard for too long, leaving us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained. The good news is that you can easily prevent it if you listen to your body and prioritize rest.
So, to the fun part of this post on why rest is the ultimate productivity hack you need to prioritize,
How can you incorporate rest into your daily routine? Here are a few tips:
- Schedule downtime: Make sure to schedule time for rest and relaxation in your daily routine. Whether it’s a 15-minute relaxation time between work or an hour-long walk, having a set time for rest can help you stay committed to taking care of yourself.
- Unplug: Disconnect from technology and social media for a set amount of time each day. Constant notifications and distractions can contribute to feelings of tiredness, so taking a break from screens can be extremely beneficial. Also, it is good to remind yourself that scrolling on social media for hours or binging TV shows aren’t necessarily good examples of rest. They just tend to numb you and drain the last bit of motivation you have left.
- Prioritize sleep: Getting enough sleep is necessary for reducing the risk of burnout. You can prioritize sleep by creating a relaxing bedtime routine and aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Take breaks: When you’re working, make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day. Whether it’s a quick walk around your space or a few minutes of stretching, taking breaks can help you maintain focus and energy.
- Pursue hobbies: Engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment can be a great way to rest and recharge. Whether it’s painting, reading, or playing an instrument, make time for hobbies that help you relax and unwind. This can be a way to escape from the business of everyday life.
- Take a day off every once in a while. Taking a day off can help you avoid burnout and help you return to work feeling refreshed and focused.
Ready to give rest a little more priority?
There you have it! You have made it to the end of this post on why rest is the ultimate productivity hack that you should prioritize.
Although this might not be an innovative post, it is a gentle reminder of what we know we should do but struggle to do. I hope reading this post encourages you to take a step back and recuperate so you can function at a more efficient level.
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