Wasting time could be good for our mental health
A really good read is the book Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World (McGonigal)
The research and book suggests that engaging in some activities we assume are non-productive at work – short exercises that actually take a couple of minutes may actually be a smart way to spend time, to relax our brains.
These practices can make people more resourceful problem solvers, more collaborative, and less likely to give up when the going gets tough. In other words, they can make people more resilient. The author, Jane MgGonigal, set a goal to waste at least four minutes every hour – give it a try.
Tackling a pointless but mildly challenging task, such as snapping your fingers exactly 50 times or counting backward from 100 by sevens, is a scientifically backed way to improve focus and determination and thus mental resilience. In fact, the more simple the task, the better.
#resilience #stress #burnout #workplacewellbeing
