Wasting Time

Did you know that wasting time can make you more productive? In a world of Zoom meetings, emails and messaging, our world can sometimes seem overwhelming. Then, there’s social media like chat rooms, Youtube, and a plethora of games. We feel bombarded by all the screen sites that capture our attention.  

Is it possible to cut out a portion of time without all this technology? According to Gloria Mark, a human-computer interaction researcher, there is a way and it can make us more creative.

She explains that continually switching screen tasks (she says we do it on average every 47 seconds) strains our mental capacity. These screen images stick in our brains and take up space. In addition, not getting enough sleep decreases our ability to focus on work tasks. She points out that a 20 minute walk can clear our brains and make them more productive.

So, wasting time is healthy and useful in this technological world. It rids us of clutter and helps us get more work done. This is certainly good news for those of us who are glued to a screen for most of our days. We should not feel guilty when we are doing nothing.

Of course, poets, meditators, and other creative people already believe this. They know how to tune out the tech images and listen to their inner being. The health experts also recommend this for bodily well-being. That's why no one should be afraid to do nothing for some time each day. You’ll be healthier and happier and get more accomplished.