There’s a lot of science-backed research supporting the importance of downtime, but people still struggle to slow down. The thing is, taking that break and turning your brain off for a little while can not only improve performance and the ability to concentrate, it can also make you happier and less likely to experience chronic stress.
Alisha Ramos knows all about how important downtime is and she started Girls’ Night In, a weekly newsletter dedicated to spreading the word about downtime. She’s devoted to going slower, staying small and demanding less and this is her advice for making the most of your downtime.
- Be aware of where your time is going - Alisha points out that we often feel frustrated that we don’t have enough time to do the things we really enjoy, but we actually just need to look at how we spend our time and make time for what we want to do. When she did this herself, she found she was spending up to four hours a day on Instagram.
- Make an analog downtime list - Even if social media isn’t sucking up all your free time, she suggests limiting phone and screen time and replacing it with analog activities. These could include doodling, puzzling, cooking, journaling and stretching, or any other creative things you’d like to do.
- Create a space for downtime - Setting up a cozy environment to enjoy your offline activities in can make downtime even more inviting. You don’t need to spend a fortune to create it, just get a candle, a chair, a blanket and set up in a corner.
- Have a shutdown routine - This is especially helpful for all the folks working from home. Alisha recommends a “shutdown/closing shift” routine after work to reinforce the separation between work life and home life. Hers includes literally pressing the “shut down” function on her work laptop, physically putting it away and lighting a candle to signal her work day is over.
Check out the full article at Apartment Therapy