I often forget to do nothing. I’m very action oriented.<p>Recently I’ve started taking a few short breaks during the day. If I’m at work I put my arms on my desk, rest my head in my arms, focus on my breathing and count ten exhalations. If I’m at home I do this laying down, usually counting thirty exhalations. The home practice turns in to multiple ten to thirty minute rest periods throughout the week.<p>When I’m in the habit of doing this my life is, self-reported, sample size of one, noticeably calmer and more enjoyable.
IMHO, being productive and creative are two almost incompatible things for us mere mortals:<p>- Being productive requires focus and energy to get things done. Typically, the "obvious" decisions are being made and implemented;<p>- Being creative, or even thinking out of the box, requires one to relax, get their mind wandering, wait patiently for that creative spurt to come...