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I’ve taken the day off! Here’s why that’s a good idea.
We often think we are being unproductive when we take a day off. We think our minds are switched off and inactive. Researchers have found this is incorrect.
Rather than a decrease in brain activity, the activity just shifts to different parts of the brain known as the Default Mode Network (DMN).
DMN activity is highly correlated with intelligence, empathy, emotional judgment, and even overall sanity and mental health. Taking time off work, it turns out, is critical to health, development, and, to productivity.
Excellent work, particularly of the creative and innovative kind, needs rest and relaxation just as much as it requires time actively engaged in work. When we rest, our brain is busy consolidating memories, and quietly searching for solutions to problems we encounter. We’ve all had that eureka moment in the shower or 1am in bed.
Spending more time resting and less time actively engaged in work not only boosts creativity and happiness, it also makes the time spent on work more efficient.
That’s why I’m encouraging you to take time off work, not only will that be good for you personally but it will also be good for your work productivity. It’s a win win.
