‘Rest is Productive’: How slowing down at work can help you get more done
By Morgan Smith
Rest is often cast as the antithesis of success.
In a culture that often glorifies “the grind,” clocking insanely long hours, eating lunch at our desks and having no time to do anything outside of our jobs have become badges of honor.
But it turns out that slowing down, doing less and setting aside time to rest can actually help you be more successful — and productive — at work in the long run.
The hidden benefits of resting at work
Spending more time resting during the workday doesn’t just stave off burnout — past research shows it can stimulate creativity, help you concentrate better and make the time you spend on meetings and tasks more efficient.
“Rest is an essential component of working well and working smart,” Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, author of the book “Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less,” once explained in an op-ed for Greater Good Magazine.
What’s more, “rest is productive,” LaShawn Davis, a human resources consultant, tells CNBC Make It. “Productivity isn’t just about getting results, it’s about getting the best results you can, and it’s impossible to perform your best if you’re not well-rested.”
People who prioritize rest, Davis adds, show up to work more energized, focused and prepared to tackle any challenges that arise.
