BY: SAVANNAH
Studies show that in the United States people have longer days yet less vacation and relaxation time. Our work culture promotes the belief that practice and working long hours will in the end improve productivity. However, in today's hectic and insane world, overworking can create hurried, busy, multi-taskers that get too stressed out. Being a workaholic does not increase productivity and life satisfaction. It does just the opposite, so take a break and slow down with life. There is actual evidence that slowing down and doing absolutely nothing can actually improve productivity and increase lifelong happiness.
America has some of the longest work days. 134 other countries have laws abiding the length of work allowed per week. Of course the US does not. 85.8% of men and 66.5% of women work more than 40 hours a week. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), Americans work 137 more hours per year than Japanese workers, 260 more hours per year than British workers, and 499 more hours per year than French workers. Some conclude that the US has longer work hours because we want to have a high Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, France and Germany both have a higher GDP ratio than the US. Both of those countries have a shorter work week than the US. North Korea which has a more insane work week than the US has a way lower GDP ratio than the US. That concludes that the amount of work per week does not necessarily contribute to the GDP ratio. Working longer hours causes more time to procrastinate, work less efficiently, and causes you to get less done.
Manfred Ket De Vries, INSEAD Distinguished Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change argues that working harder is not working smarter. Setting time to the side to "do nothing" and "chill" creates the best time for the mind because it induces states of mind that nature imagination and improve our mental health. Having procrastination time does not mean that you are "wasting valuable time". We need time for our brains to rest and process information that we are learning and dealing with. Neuroscientists say that the brain, while doing one task, uses massive amounts of energy. About 20% of the body's energy intake is used just to do one task! That's a lot of energy. Enough for me to say I need a nap. Resting your neural networks help us process our experiences, consolidate memories, reinforce learning, regulate our attention and our emotions, and keep us productive and effective in our work and judgements. Thus overall making our mind at peace leaving room for happiness and creativity.
Don't spend your entire life being a workaholic. Yes of course working is important, but your mental health is more important. Relax and take a deep breath in and out. A creative person is way more fun than a crazy person obsessed with work.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201611/why-doing-nothing-improves-productivity-and-well-being
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