Why You Need to Relax

It's easy to let your mind drift back to your to-do list. But it's important to allow yourself to truly unwind. Here are some benefits of relaxing and staying in the present when you take time off.

You'll have more fun. If you're spending time with friends or family, you're not going to truly enjoy it if you're worrying about a project at work or all the errands you have to run. Keeping your mind in the present - and stopping your thoughts from wandering to all the things you need to get done in the future or every mistake you might have made in the past - will allow you to fully appreciate your experiences.

You'll be less stressed. Most of us have busy schedules and we don't have a lot of time to kick back. So it's crucial that we make the most of the time we do have. If you really flip the off switch during your relaxation time, it will help you to recharge.

You'll be more productive. Let's face it, we can't fire on all cylinders 100 percent of the time. If you don't unwind during your downtime, you're just going to burn yourself out. Taking a breather means you'll be more effective when you go back to work.

-Sarah Cooke