How to Maximise Your Downtime

Amy Taylor January 21, 2015

For many of us, having a downtime feels like a piece of luxury. In our very busy lifestyle, even an hour or two of downtime daily is very rare. Most of the time, it is something we experience only during the weekend. And when we finally made it, we feel great relief – savouring each moment and allowing our mind and body to relax, calm down, and just enjoy the moment.

However, it only takes one second to transform that beautiful feeling into something frustrating and anxiety-provoking mood. Because at the back of our mind, we still think about our pending tasks and obligations, the argument we just had with a loved one, the plans that were never materialised, and all those negative things. We become easily distracted by these thoughts, so instead of feeling relaxed and fulfilled, we often end up feeling down, anxious, and uh-oh – stressed.

Scheduling a daily downtime is important if you want to keep the equilibrium in your life. With all the tasks you are obliged to do every day, it is just fitting to give yourself a break – away from the usual things that keep you busy and disengaged from your inner self. Several minutes to an hour of downtime can really make you feel replenished and more inspired to carry on with your day-to-day tasks.

So how do you make the most from your downtime? Here are simple yet very powerful strategies to try.

Put your phone away.

If you really want to maximise your downtime, make sure you turn off your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach. You might think browsing your Facebook newsfeed is a relaxing and entertaining activity. Entertaining, yes. But relaxing? No. According to a 2012 study by British researchers, our "relentless need to immediately review and respond to each and every incoming message, notification or tone, actually get us more worked up than we’d like. What’s more, researchers said people are becoming more dependent upon them, and actually courting stress instead of relieving it. As this pattern of use takes flight so does stress, the researchers observed. And, in that regard, more is definitely more: The more often someone checks a phone for personal reasons the more stress rises.

Engage in something that helps you grow.

Downtime is best spent on things that promote your passion and nourishes your mind, body and spirituality. It shouldn’t be something that relates to your work like replying to email threads, or something that keeps your mind disengaged from the present moment, such as watching TV. Take up an activity that teaches you something for the long haul, perhaps cooking, baking, playing an instrument, sketching or writing – something that keeps your creative juice flowing. The satisfaction of learning something positively affects your mood not just for the time-being, but in the long run.

Feel the moment.

This is the most important thing. A downtime will never be that fulfilling, relaxing and invigorating if your mind is floating away. When taking a time off, get rid of every negative thought that bugs you – worries, bills, work, pending tasks, personal problems, and so on. Instead, tune in to your body. Acknowledge your thoughts. Breathe in and out. If you notice your thoughts shifting away from the present to your past or future, make an effort to go back. And don’t feel bad. It’s normal.

Drop the guilt.

When taking a downtime, never ever feel guilty. Or else, you will turn that wonderful, uplifting moment into a distressing and frustrating one. Why do you have to feel guilty anyway? You’ve been working hard, going through a lot – you deserve it. When guilt feelings start to overwhelm you, remind yourself of the great benefits of having a downtime – more energy, increased productivity, a healthier body, and most of all – more happiness!