Productivity vs Relaxation

With our lovely snow days this past weekend, it reminds me of conversations I've had several times with one of my clients about productivity.

She often falls pray to the concept of "No Relaxing. Only Guilt." As a result, we have discussed different types of productivity and who is receiving the benefit - are we being productive for society? For the home? For ourselves?

Quest for Creative Healing, LLC is not associated with the artist of this comic

In a society that focuses so hard on "productivity" we easily lose sight of the importance of self care. We see relaxation as laziness, or associated with depression. We have a host of other tasks that need completing: homework, household chores, cooking food, socializing, shoveling the driveway.

But you want to know a secret? Sometimes your mind and body NEED to rot on the couch for a day.

Think about it this way: We are Pacman. The little ghosts are burnout, illness, and exhaustion. Then there's the little dots and the fruits. Imagine those are our self care activities that keep us running around and staying ahead of burnout. If we run around the maze willy nilly and don't collect all of the dots or fruits, we eventually run straight into a ghost and BAM on the couch sick, hopeless, and tired.

Screenshot of Pacman. Quest for Creative Healing, LLC is not associated with the production of Pacman

Now what about a lack of productivity's association with depression? Of course, this is where moderation comes into play.

As previously stated, self care is important. It's totally okay to rot on the couch once in a while - an hour here or there throughout the week, or a day on the weekend when you finally don't have other activities planned and have a chill day. Or on snow days like we just had!

The challenge with channeling your inner couch potato is making sure you don't potato too much.

Story Time!

This past weekend during the snow days, I told myself "it's snowing. I'm not going anywhere today so I can chill!" Oh I was so excited! I woke up Saturday morning, sat on the couch for a few minutes to get my typical morning lovin's from my dogs, and scroll on my phone for a few minutes. But then I got up, booted up the PC and began playing Witcher. 3 hours had passed before I realized I had not eaten breakfast yet. I realized the time and briefly felt guilty for not having done any house work or any exercise that day (despite the fact that Saturdays are rest days from exercise). My husband had to remind me that it's okay to rot on the couch once in a while and encouraged me to go back to playing video games. After a while, I took a break and binged way too many episodes of Apothecary Diaries before returning to Witcher for a few more hours in the evening. I barely left the same spot on the couch for 12 hours.

So glorious!

Quest for Creative Healing, LLC is not associated with the artist or animation studios involved in the production of Apothecary Diaries.

Despite thoroughly enjoying potatoing, I definitely fell prey to "No Relax. Only Guilty." I often struggle with sitting still for extended periods, feeling like I need to fold laundry while I watch tv, or should read or exercise or take my dogs for a walk instead of scrolling on my phone. I keep up this busy schedule constantly, trying to always feel like I'm doing something productive.

But where does that constant movement land me?

Exhausted but struggling to sleep, stressed, a sore back, headaches, and a lack of motivation to do anything.

So what is the takeaway?

1. There are different types of productivity

   1. Productive for society

   2. Productive for your environment

   3. Productive for your mind

2. It's important to complete your chores AND relax

3. Relaxation is productive for yourself

4. Couch rotting is okay in moderation