Me Time Improves Work Time
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist
It is easy to believe productivity depends only on effort. Yet human performance, whether at work, in study, or in caring for others, depends just as much on recovery. “Me time” is not indulgence, it is maintenance.
Periods of rest, reflection, and quiet recreation allow the nervous system to reset. They strengthen focus, decision-making, emotional regulation, and creativity. When we step away from tasks and allow space for our minds to wander or our bodies to relax, we return clearer, steadier, and more effective (1, 2).
As a clinician and counsellor who also spent years on the tools, I have seen the same principle on job sites and in therapy rooms. A short break, a proper meal, a stretch of the legs, or a mindful pause often prevents mistakes, reduces rework, and supports safer, more considerate choices. These are simple behaviours that are practical for most people and respectful of different bodies, cultures, and roles.
Practical Ideas
• Take a slow walk without your phone
• Pause for a proper meal instead of a rushed bite at your desk
• Spend a few minutes noticing your breath or the sounds around you
• Create small rituals of self care that mark the end of your workday
• Protect sleep and reduce late caffeine where you can
• Book small pockets of recreation across the week, not just the weekend
Sustainable productivity comes not from working harder but from working well. A rested mind is sharper, a cared for person has more to give. So put in the self care and observe the bounty (3).
References and Resources
Sonnentag, S., & Fritz, C. (2015). Recovery from job stress, the stressor detachment model as an integrative framework. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(S1), S72–S103. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1924
Kaplan, S., & Kaplan, R. (2011). Wellbeing, reasonableness, and the natural environment. Applied Psychology, Health and Wellbeing, 3(3), 304–321. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2011.01055.x
Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature, toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2
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