Breathe. Relax. Refresh. And feel even more energized and productive as a result.

 

 

 

WORD FORMATION

Change the word in CAPITALS to fill in the blanks.

 

Amid the constant grind of life, even the simple act of breathing–the most essential of our bodily functions–can feel like a real 1. ……….. [LUXURIOUS]. We pack every minute of every day of the week with to-do lists of seemingly necessary events, making our days and nights as 2. ………….. [EXHAUSTION] as we possibly can.

We’ve somehow convinced ourselves that being productive requires filling every possible moment with activity–jobs, projects, tasks, and 3. …………..s.

But what if doing nothing at all was the secret to getting things done?

(… it seems that an increasing number of companies are catching on to the 4. …………….. [IMPORTANT] of downtime as well. Yoga and meditation classes, stress-reduction workshops, and other mindfulness programs are being offered to employees at many organizations. These companies know that relaxed and refreshed workers are more creative, have better focus, and will ultimately be more productive.

There are additional benefits from nonworking downtime. If we realize and reinforce that work is not the 5. ………….. [ENTIRE] of our lives, we return to these other parts of ourselves with heightened and greater control over our emotional lives. We can also have more space and 6. ……….. [CLEAR] to look at our lives with new eyes and make better decisions.

Is that social 7. ……………. [COMMIT] you signed up for still 8. …………. [ENJOY], or is it one that needs to be reset? Even if it isn’t, you can move on in a healthier way. A hobby you abandoned months ago might engage you enough again to continue. This greater self-awareness should help you make conscious choices about what you really want from your life.

So, the next time you feel compelled to fill each moment with action, don’t think of doing nothing as 9. …………. [LAZY]. View it instead as a profound 10. ………….. [INVEST] in yourself.

Breathe. Relax. Refresh. (…)

 

In order to read the whole article/check your answers, go to: https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/the-counterintuitive-power-of-doing-nothing.html

 

 

Key: 1. luxury; 2. exhausting;3. assignments; 4. importance; 5. entirety; 6. clarity; 7. commitment; 8. enjoyable; 9. laziness; 10. investment

 

 

Glossary

 

• grind – a difficult or boring activity that needs a lot of effort

Practice makes perfect

Read the article and answer the questions below:

https://ideas.ted.com/the-7-types-of-rest-that-every-person-needs/

 

1. According to the author, why do many people still feel tired even after sleeping enough?

2. What is the difference between passive and active physical rest?

3. Why does the author mention the coworker with the large cup of coffee?

4. What practical advice is given to improve mental rest?

5. How can sensory rest help people working in modern environments?

6. What activities can provide creative rest?

7. Why do some people need emotional rest?

8. According to the text, how can we improve social rest?

9. What is spiritual rest?

10. What is the main message of the article?

 

 

Discuss

 

• When was the last time you did absolutely nothing? How did it feel?
• What do you usually do when you’re tired?
• Do you think you get enough rest? Why/Why not?
• Why do you think many people feel guilty when they aren’t being productive?
• Have you ever had your best ideas while doing something unrelated to work?
• Do you think our society values productivity too much?
• Which type of rest do you think is the most overlooked nowadays?
• Do you think technology helps us rest or prevents us from resting?
• How often do you unplug completely from your phone?
• Should employers encourage employees to take regular breaks during the working day?

 

Watch and Revise!

Unlocking the Secret Power of Rest

Beyond Sleep

 

 

https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/p8bi2e4CC7fPfy2

 

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