How to De-Stress and Be Productive at the Same Time

You want to be productive, but it seems that every time you are productive, you have to follow that up with a de-stressing period. Is there any way to do both?

Hand held jobs. Small jobs which you can do while watching television or a movie include learning and practicing lock-picking, deconstructing car parts, solving puzzles, painting or drawing, embroidery, sewing, crocheting, knitting, gun-cleaning, wood carving, and leather working. Some of these things are practical, some of them artistic, and some of them just need to get done, no matter where you do them.

Having a small hobby or project to work on while watching television or relaxing in the evening after supper can reduce the stress created by not being productive. Soon, you will be so used to having something in your hands that it will be impossible for you to turn on the television without feeling an emptiness or stillness in your hands. You do not just want to watch, you also want to do.

Enjoyable pastimes. Men find it soothing to work on a car in the evenings and even use this activity to bond with friends or their children. They de-stress while they are being productive, which is the sort of multi-tasking that they love. Women enjoy working in their gardens in the late afternoon for the same reason. Beauty attracts them and creating and watching beauty grow is satisfying to the heart of a woman. Other enjoyable pastimes which involve development of skill include billiards, sailing, writing, weight training and home improvement.

Travel time. When you are on the road a lot or have a long commute, consider educating yourself during the waiting. If you drive or fly, consider getting audio books or audio language instruction and playing them on a regular basis while traveling. If you can read a book instead, begin with a book on how to speed read. This way, you can quadruple the benefit of the time spent in commute or travel. Your language learning skills will improve, you will go through interesting text more quickly, and your life will be enriched more efficiently. If you are not a big book learner, consider bringing your laptop to play interactive educational games on your computer.

Now that you are de-stressed... You can use this time saved and productivity to begin sharing your new-found passions with your family. Get your family involved with hand-held work while watching television so that it is not just a family gathering but a family-oriented activity. Teach your kids how to fix up the car and grow beautiful flowers or nutritional food and bond with them while you do. Go sailing with your spouse and enjoy each other's company on the open water.

Being productive makes us feel good, and so does getting rid of stress. We do not like giving up one for the other. Instead, combine activities and get both done at the same time!

Sources:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/20-productive-ways-to-use-your-free-time.html