The modern era places many demands on us. We’re expected to juggle work and family life, while also finding time for exercise, shopping, and a thousand other miscellaneous chores.
Trying to cope with all of this, without the benefit of a little relaxation every now and then, is unsustainable. Try it, and you’ll become grumpy, depressed, and, eventually, unfit to function.
Work-related stress is a major driver of absenteeism in the UK. Around 964,000 workers reported suffering from it in 2024/25, while around 22 million working days were lost as a result.
So, how do you ensure that you don’t end up part of this unfortunate statistic? Let’s take a look at how to build more downtime into a busy lifestyle.
Treat Downtime as Part of Your Routine
If you’re the sort of person who likes to plan every day well in advance, then you’ll want to include downtime in your schedule. If you don’t, then you’re almost guaranteed to burn out. Protect your lunch break, and make sure that you keep your weekends, and the occasional evening, free.
You might find that your employer is obliged to help you do this. Work-related stress, according to a recent discussion by the British Safety Council, sits within their duty of care when it comes to health and safety. Plus, employers benefit from having workers who are not stressed out.
Find Activities That Help You Properly Switch Off
Having found some downtime, it’s vital that you actually make good use of it. Certain activities might be less conducive to good mental health than others. An hour spent doomscrolling might have a negative effect, while an hour of meditation (or, more realistically, reading or going for a walk) might be a net positive.
It’s worth noting that ‘reading’ doesn’t mean that you have to bury your head in something challenging or self-improving. Whatever you enjoy reading, you should look into it, whether that’s Victorian literature, modern short stories, manga, or Western graphic novels.
Create a Clearer Divide Between Busy Time and Rest Time
It’s worth giving your mind a few cues to help signal that the productive part of the day is coming to an end, and that it’s time for relaxation. This might mean actually closing your laptop, or moving to a new location. When we’re talking about weekend downtime, you might think about the clothes you wear, too.
Make Rest Sustainable Rather Than Saving It for the Weekend
Downtime can come in very small portions. A five-minute break here and there can often be just as effective as a weeklong holiday, if you’re taking it often enough.
The major advantage of a short break is that you can more easily fit it into your lifestyle. Figure out where those breaks can be easily found, and reach for the low-hanging fruit first!
Thank you for reading!
*Guest Contribution
