According to a recent Gallup survey, three out of four workers experience burnout at work, and it seems that more and more workers are becoming overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of their employment. UCL School of Management Associate Professor Sunny Lee has co-authored an article for Fast Company that outlines the physical and psychological need for rest.
Entitled, ‘The Science of Resting (Well)’, Sunny and co-author Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic explore the benefits of frequent and well structured rest, including to our immune system, stress management, mood, decision-making, creativity and work productivity, whilst also acknowledging the assumption that a break or rest slows workers down and decreases productivity. The authors argue, however, that regular rest is actually a mechanism that enables us to enhance our hours of productivity, as we are recharged and prepared for the tasks ahead.
So how much time should we make available to rest each day? Generally, Sunny argues, we should use four hours’ daily rest, though she acknowledges that this figure is subject to each person’s working activities, levels of stress, and personal circumstances. She also notes that rest can look different to each individual pursuing it – for some, rest might be relaxing on a sofa, but for others, rest could involve walking in nature. To identify one’s mode of recovery, Sunny explains that we should identify and prioritise our specific needs.
The authors argue, as daily downtime is no longer always a feasible rest option in today’s world, vacations are also important to consider in the implementing and routinising of rest into our lifestyles. Extended periods away from our work-related duties and responsibilities are beneficial, with research suggesting that any vacation longer than seven days is enough to recharge but that longer vacations are even more beneficial and could even increase longevity.
