“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”
-Mark Black
Unemployment—whether by choice or not—can be a trying time of job hunting and figuring out what comes next. Today’s competitive job market doesn’t make things easier, especially when coupled with the recent skyrocketing cost of living.
So, that makes the concept of resting and doing activities to restore your mind and body while unemployed seem a bit counterintuitive. The reality, however, there are a lot of positives that can come from taking a break:
- Increased Productivity
- Improved Creativity and Memory Function
- Reduced Stress and Anxiety
A 2013 study on brain connectivity showed that our brains are hardwired to function best with a blend of focus time and unfocus time. If you want to nerd out for a while, you can check out the full study details here. When we are focused on a task for extended periods, our minds can become exhausted and less effective. So, disconnecting and participating in unfocused time is beneficial to your overall heath and mental function.
In fact, you can look at the sabbatical programs at universities and corporations to see that the concept of taking a break after a period of work isn’t a new concept or part of a new trend. Harvard University started their sabbatical program in 1880 and there is overwhelming evidence of their efficacy to support mental and physical health of the .
How to Take A Break
Disconnecting will look a little different for each person, but the critical component to these breaks is to fully disconnect from work tasks and responsibilities. This includes checking emails, making calls, or even thinking about work projects during that time. It’s purpose to give yourself a true mental break so that you can return to the task with a more clear and refreshed mind.
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.
Etty Hillesum
There are essentially two types of downtime; I’ve dubbed them functional downtime and restful downtime. While they are both a type of disconnect from work, their essence is entirely different.
Functional Downtime
We all have the cognitive overhead from the household chores and other errands that need to be handled. These are the little recurring things that we take care of when we have a free moment—the laundry, picking up the living area, grocery shopping. It’s also the one-off errands—doctor appointments,
Managing functional downtime tasks is beneficial to have that mental burden eased, but it is not truly restful. Our minds are still engaged toward productivity and ordering our space. To fully disconnect, you need restful downtime.
Restful Downtime
These are the types of activities that bring rest and personal joy. For some people, going for a short walk, stretching, or meditating for a few minutes may be the type of rest your body is looking for. Others may look to taking a trip, reading a book, or even watching TV.
Engaging in something specifically for you, and giving yourself the permission to fully enjoy it, will boost your mood and reduce stress.
Examples of Balancing Productivity and Rest
When you’re unemployed, it’s tricky to find the balance between being on top of a job search and also participating in downtime (both functional and restful). So what could a day look like? The specifics will vary whether you have a need to return to work as soon as possible or if you’re planning to take a longer hiatus.
A day-to-day schedule could be to spend a half-day on job hunting and professional development work, then spend a couple hours on the chores and personal tasks, then enjoy a few hours of restful downtime.
Alternatively, you could schedule it more like a work schedule. Spend four days on job hunting and professional development, one day on personal tasks and chores, and then spend two days on restful downtime.
If you’re looking to take an extended break from work, a challenge you may run into is staying in a learning mindset. Again, maintaining balance is essential, so breaking up the hiatus with periods of engagement would be a good path. You can read journals or industry related books, or participate in other forms of continuing education. You can also stay engaged with your social network.
Downtime While Economically Strained
There is the reality that for some, the unemployed downtime may not be something that is comfortable.
The ultimate goal is to have a healthy balance, which is an ongoing process that requires attention and effort. You can use this time to practice disconnecting for work and enforcing the boundary between work and life. While you practice this, you’ll build up the routine so that when you return to work, you can do so with a more balanced perspective.