The benefits don’t only extend to downtime – they’re applicable in our work lives as well.

In a 2022 Forbes article titled Why You Should Embrace The Concept Of Wasting Time, author Peter Stewart argued that people are not equipped to work 16-hour days while maintaining high productivity and consistent quality.

“The human brain can focus, but only for short periods. In between those focused sessions, people should be encouraged to waste a little time,” he explained. As such, while some activities feel like wasting time, they are actually quite beneficial to our work productivity, mental health and physical wellbeing.

“Exercise, reading, engaging in hobbies such as gardening or woodworking and connecting with friends and family all meet important basic needs we have as human beings,” he added. “Engaging in these activities may feel like wasting time, but they contribute to your overall health.”

So, take this as your permission slip to let yourself veg out and waste time this weekend. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

How wasting time can actually help us to feel more productive in the long run