Chris is a model employee since he started working as an account manager for his dream advertising agency. 

Two months in, he wakes up at six in the morning to check his e-mail while eating breakfast. When the clock strikes eight, meaning the start of work for his colleagues, he’s already deep into the wormhole of his job. During lunch breaks, he entertains client calls, and even when it’s time to log out at 5 in the afternoon, he’ll be pressuring his teammates to deliver outputs the clients don’t even need yet. He always wants to work ahead of time even though the nature of their fast-paced industry renders it impossible. He still answers “emergency” client calls after 5 pm and even tackles work that trickles during the weekends. To put it shortly, Chris’ life revolves around work. 

His stellar work performance did not of course come without an opportunity cost. Because he has been working nonstop, he has little to no energy left to engage with family and friends. He would always be on his phone and get grumpy whenever someone interrupts him. He barely gets five hours of sleep a day because he wants to do his best at work. Still, Chris never received a raise or was even considered for a promotion. With all work and no incentives, he eventually got burnt out. 

Oftentimes, people like Chris discount the importance of rest. They think of rest as counterproductive and for the weak, without realizing that their all-work routine won’t be sustainable in the long run. 

Here are four reasons why Chris and you should rest: 

1. Rest Repairs the Body 

You exert energy throughout the day, using different body parts to function. By night, the body needs to return to a state of homeostasis to repair, recharge, and recover. This is achieved through sleep. 

2. Rest Reduces Stress and Anxiety 

When you’re stressed, the sympathetic nervous system is activated. Your senses are heightened, your heart rate is faster and your blood pressure is on a high. To reduce stress levels, a person must get rest for the parasympathetic nervous system to function. This, according to Healthline, is when the body stimulates digestion, activates metabolism, and helps the body relax. 

3. Rest Sharpens Focus and Improves Productivity

When your brain is tired, it becomes less efficient. It becomes more difficult for you to think on your feet because the brain wants to rest. To stay focused and improve productivity at work, you need to have a good night’s rest. 

4. Rest Increases Creativity 

You overuse your resources when you’re burnt out. This affects the creative functions of your brain—you become less inspired and unmotivated to work. You need to recharge for that dose of inspiration. 

Tips for a Better Quality Sleep

Aside from getting seven to nine hours of sleep a day, the quality of sleep is as important as the number of hours your body is at rest. If you wake up in the middle of the night or still feel restless after sleeping the right amount of hours, then the quality of your sleep is poor. Here are some tips for a night of better quality sleep. 

• Follow a fixed sleep schedule throughout the entire week. 
• As much as possible, only drink coffee in the morning. 
• Do not nap during the day. 
• Avoid working out late in the evening. 
• Turn off all electronics thirty minutes to one hour before sleeping. 
• Consider dedicating a few minutes for meditation before dozing off. 
• Dim the lights to aid the body in melatonin production.

Designing Your Workspace for an Efficient Work Performance 

To get sufficient rest, working efficiently, not harder is the key. The working environment plays a crucial factor in stimulating energy and motivation. 

Standing desks have recently gained attention because it helps improve an employee’s workflow and increases productivity throughout the day. Flexispot has a wide range of standing desks that are height adjustable, look sleek, and have a spacious desktop. A standing desk heightens a person’s senses and keeps him or her alert while working. 

Standing desk converters may also be added to upgrade the workstation. It improves the person’s posture without taking additional horizontal desk space. Flexispot even has units like the M7MB that has an additional keyboard tray or the Aesthetic Sit-Stand Workstation M6 that has integrated attachable storage accessories for desk essentials like pens and clips. 

As the name suggests, the ergonomic anti-fatigue mat such as Flexispot’s DM1 will make sure you won’t get tired standing up for long hours. It has massage points and mounds that will detect body movement, stimulating a constant foot massage. The mat is perfect for healthy blood circulation, mental and feet relaxation. 

Ergonomic office chairs also help in lessening body pain that may cause inefficiency at work. Flexispot has a rich catalog of chairs suited for the workspace such as the Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair. It has a 3D lumbar support system, 135° lounge tilt, and 4D adjustable armrests. The chair is made of premium fleece mesh that offers maximum ventilation. The seat is also adjustable depending on the person’s body shape. 

A fitness chair such as the Sit2Go of Flexispot keeps the person awake and active while working. It boosts energy as well as gives a comfortable sitting experience with its breathable mesh backrest and supportive seat cushion.

Final Thoughts 

This generation values productivity more than anything else. The common misconception is that rest is the enemy of productivity while in fact, rest aids a person to become even more productive and efficient at work. Insufficient rest may lead to poor work performance and may cause detrimental health effects. While productivity is glorified, rest shouldn’t be neglected at any cost.