Productivity is often seen as the be-all and end-all. But what often gets overlooked is the important role relaxation plays in our ability to be productive. Thus, I’d like to introduce the concept of relaxed productivity.
What Is Relaxed Productivity
There’s something people don’t seem to understand: being deliberately “unproductive” with our free time is not indulgence. It is neurologically and strategically adaptive. This misunderstanding comes from being conditioned to the economic productivity concept. However, our brains rely on downtime to function properly, so trying to be productive all the time is hurting us.
By allowing ourselves downtime, we’re helping reduce our cortisol levels. We can further aid this by enjoying our free time, such as engaging in playful activities or hobbies. Peak productivity should always factor in relaxation, because even high-performance cars need a whole pit crew to get the best out of them.
Tips On Relaxed Productivity
Change our mindset about productivity
Productivity is not about getting as much done as possible. We’re not machines, but even machines need maintenance. Often it’s just about getting the right things done. So, if we’re feeling guilty about relaxing or taking time for ourselves, remind ourselves that it’s actually productive to take care of our mental wellbeing and physical health.
Savour leisure
We need to stop viewing non-productive activities as distractions. Because then our focus will be in the wrong place, and we’ll keep having intrusive thoughts, guilting us into being productive again. Leisure time is important, and we should treat it as such.
Set boundaries
Decide how much time we want to spend being productive and stick to it. This could mean turning off our work email and notifications outside of work hours, or setting aside specific times for work and play. I know it sounds weird to schedule “play time”, but often that’s the only way we’ll stick to it. Vagueness is our enemy, so having a specific day and time set aside reduces the chances of procrastinating on our wellbeing.
Boundaries around our work/life balance are often some of the most important boundaries we can have in place. Portugal made it illegal for outside of contracted work-hour texts, messages, and emails from their managers (Lamp, 2026). We could learn a thing or two from that.
Learn to say “no”
Saying “no” is one of the most important life skills we can learn. Because it’s ok to say “no” to requests for our time, especially if they’re not aligned with our priorities. This can be difficult, but it’s important to protect our free time so we can relax and recharge. It’s all too easy to think that we have to be constantly productive, especially at work, but that often leads to taking on more than we can handle.
Thus, with relaxed productivity, work to find that balance between working and relaxing for optimal performance. This is often why single-tasking can be the most productive approach.
Do something we enjoy
When we don’t have to be productive, it’s important to do something we enjoy. Even when we do feel we have to be productive, it can help to challenge whether their feeling is true, and even if it is, it’s still important to take regular breaks.
For example, take a nap. Getting enough sleep is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing. So if we’re feeling really tired, don’t feel guilty about taking a nap. In Japan, taking a nap at work, known as inemuri, is culturally acceptable and is seen as dedication to one’s work (Shibata, 2019).
There’s also reading, which, for some, is a great way to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday life. We could also try going for a walk and getting some fresh air. In fact, any form of exercise is a great way to clear our heads and de-stress. If we can also get that exercise or walk in a green space, then that’s a bonus for our wellbeing.
Then there’s meditation and yoga. Both of these are great ways to calm our mind and body. There’s plenty of meditation information out there, and there are a few great yoga apps. Of course, the most appealing options include spending time with our loved ones, which is a great way to feel supported and loved.
One that is often overlooked is doing something creative, such as painting, drawing, writing, or playing music. This could even take the form of building Lego or painting Warhammer miniatures. For me, Lego works like a form of meditation and mindfulness rolled into one.
Simply put, no matter what we choose to do, make sure it’s something that we enjoy and that helps us relax and recharge. Our mental and physical health is important, so don’t be afraid to take some time for ourselves. Burning the candles at both ends will just burn you out quicker.
Don’t be afraid to be bored
Boredom can often feel like a state that needs to be avoided at all costs. But sometimes, the best way to be productive is to just be bored. When we’re not constantly bombarded with stimuli, our mind has a chance to rest and recharge. This can actually make us more productive in the long run.
Identify when enough is enough
Notice when continuing to be productive is leading to diminished returns, leading to more stress, exhaustion, or poor results disproportionate to the effort we’re putting in. That’s a clear sign we need a break. This idea is echoed in the “80/20 rule“. This states that the first 80% of results come from 20% of effort.
Let go of guilt
We can all benefit from learning to avoid judging ourselves for “wasting” free time if we need rest and recovery. If we don’t use our free time to recover, how will we ever recover?
Summary
In today’s reality, free time is a luxury. Time is our most precious commodity, so why aren’t we using more of it for ourselves, our needs and wants? Why are we too often forgoing our own wellbeing for the sake of constant productivity? Looking after ourselves and trying to make time for fun isn’t a waste of time. It’s the reason for being.
It’s also important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to relaxed productivity. What works for one person may not work for another. So, experiment and find what works best for us. The most important thing is to give ourselves permission to relax and enjoy our free time.
As always, leave your feedback in the comments section below. Also, please share your experiences with relaxed productivity in the comments section below as well. Don’t forget, if you want to stay up-to-date with my blog, you can sign up for my newsletter below. Alternatively, click the red bell icon in the bottom right corner to get push notifications for new articles.
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References
Lamp, M. M. (2026, February 12). Portugal’s ban on After-Hours texts: a new work era?. Jobbatical. Retrieved from https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/portugals-ban-on-after-hours-texts-from-the-boss.
Shibata, M. (2019, August 12). Why overtired Japan is turning to office siestas. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/worklife/article/20190809-why-overtired-japan-is-turning-to-office-siestas.