Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels
Written by Noorin Chowdhury
Throughout university, I’ve struggled to switch off. Even when I’m not studying, I’m often thinking about what I should be doing. Over the course of my semesters, I’ve had to relearn the importance of taking breaks and, more importantly, how to take them properly.
I’ve fallen into the habit of doom scrolling during my scheduled breaks, only to return to studying and find myself struggling to focus or taking much longer to complete a task than I’d anticipated. I’ve come to realize that stepping away from work doesn’t necessarily mean I’m giving myself the rest I need.
I think we’ve lost sight of what it means to be productive. Productivity isn’t about working endlessly or becoming a cog in the machine. It’s about working sustainably so that we have the time and energy to do what matters to us most. Our lives shouldn’t revolve around the work we do. Work should support the life we want to live, not consume it.
Rest is an important part of that process. Our brains need time to process information, and some of our best ideas emerge when we’re not actively trying to solve a problem. Whether we’re showering, walking, or waiting for the bus, moments of idleness can give our minds the space to make connections we might otherwise overlook.
If we block out time for work, we should be just as intentional about blocking out time for rest. But how we spend that time matters, too. I’ve noticed that when I spend my breaks doom scrolling, I don’t always feel refreshed enough to return to studying. Even though I’ve stepped away from my work, my attention is still being pulled in different directions. Sometimes, what I need isn’t more stimulation but an opportunity to slow down.
Without adequate rest, we risk burnout, struggle to use our attention effectively, and make the work we do feel more draining than fulfilling. Rest shouldn’t be something we have to earn by reaching a certain milestone or finishing everything on our to-do list. There’s always going to be something else to do. We need to recognize that rest isn’t separate from the process of working; it’s a necessary part of it.