Creative Idleness

Dr. Emma Seppala, in her book The Happiness Track,  offers the following suggestions for building idleness into your daily schedule (see pages 117-120 for further detail):

Diversify your activities

• On your breaks, avoid the temptation to keep your focus on content/details – choose an activity that is less focused (stretching, quick walk, cleaning your desk)
• At work, organize your tasks to alternate activities that demand concentration and those that don’t
• If your work is weighted towards the intellectual, make time for tasks/hobbies that use your hands or bring you into the moment
• If your work is weighted to the relationships, make time to use your intellect
• Try expanding your areas of interest – explore a new TV show, visit a new place, do something that causes you to be in receiving/reflecting mode

Make time for silence

• Attend a structured retreat or activity to help you unplug (yoga, meditation, hiking retreats, etc.)
• Take a walk with the intent of receiving nature and noticing new things
• Practice mindfulness meditation that feels right for you
• Introduce quiet time during mundane activities (like no radio on while driving home)

Engage in Play

• Remember what makes you laugh, and do more of that
• Be with people who are lighthearted and goofy
• Take a fun exercise class that is unusual and outside of your comfort zone
• Engage in games that are fun for you and try playing in non-competitive mode
• Play with your partner
• Play with your children
• Play with your pets
• Incorporate playfulness in workplace in a variety of ways