8 Steps to Rest Your Brain and Boost Productivity

Making a few small tweaks to your workflow can help you let your mind wander and inspire new ideas.

If you'd like to be more focused and productive, start by giving your brain more rest during the workday.

Research tells us how important it is to take breaks and create time for active rest –– as doing so can improve our mood, boost our performance, and increase attention span.

In her book Stress-Free Productivity, Alice Boyes, Ph.D., writes about the importance of dedicating time to being unfocused in order to do our best work.

“Our brains are adept at solving problems and generating great insights and ideas when we’re not laser focused,” she writes. “Focus isn’t the full story of how great things get done. Outstanding work comes about through alternating between focusing and letting your mind wander.”

So how can you optimize your workday to be more efficient and less stressful? It turns out, you don’t need to overhaul your schedule or cancel all of your meetings. By making a few small tweaks to your routine, you can allow your mind to wander and improve productivity without stress.

Here are a few Microsteps that can help you get started:

Schedule time on your calendar for “active rest”.

Active rest means giving your brain a break by engaging in a physical or mentally relaxing activity that promotes recovery without being strenuous. This can include gentle exercise, such as walking, yoga, or stretching, as well as hobbies like gardening, painting, or playing a musical instrument.

If you’re stuck on a certain project, let your mind wander for a few minutes.

Taking some time to allow your brain to go off topic can actually improve your focus and creativity when you return to the task.

Take a minute to hum a random melody or sing a song you love.

The rhythmic action can help your thoughts wander into unexpected areas and improve your focus.

Keep a paper and pen nearby to let yourself doodle during the day.

Activities like doodling –– which don’t require much cognitive effort –– can allow your mind to wander freely and help your brain process information more efficiently.

In between meetings, take a minute to stretch or walk around the room.

Gentle movement can help you reset during a busy day and help your brain regroup after a long meeting. Even some arm circles at your desk can make a difference.

Set a timer to take a 5-minute "daydreaming" break.

These breaks, which Boyes refers to as “incubation periods,” can act as mini-unfocused moments, giving your brain a chance to refresh and reset.

Flip through a random book or magazine during your lunch break.

Pick up something completely unrelated to your work and skim a few pages. The unexpected ideas may let your thoughts wander and inspire new ideas.

Take a minute to look out the window.

Look out at the bustling street in front of you or the naturistic view, and let your eyes roam. Giving yourself a minute to soak in the scenery can let your mind drift and allow your thoughts to flow.