Many of us feel pressure to put our free time to good use rather than ‘wasting’ it. However, at the same time, we all need time to unwind and recharge (i.e. downtime). This begs the question: how can you make relaxing productive? Believe it or not, but there are ways in which you can relax, while also adding value to your day. Here are just a few prime examples.

Seek out educational entertainment

Many forms of home entertainment exist simply to provide passing thrills. Educational entertainment on the other hand has a long term-impact by building our knowledge or even raising new questions. Examples include documentaries, podcasts, non-fiction books or works of fiction that are scientifically/historically accurate. Not all the entertainment we consume has to be of educational value, but at least some of it should be educational in order to make it more rewarding. 

Immerse yourself in hobbies

Hobbies like baking, crafts, sports, gardening, playing musical instruments or creating art can feel like a great use of our free time. This is because we’re not relaxing, but developing a skill and working towards a goal. Try to find a hobby that gives you a sense of fulfilment and progress.Some of these hobbies can even be indulged in while soaking up entertainment like watching TV or listening to music.

Get paid to relax

What if your relaxation time could be monetized? Many hobbies can be turned into paid side hustles, however these can quickly turn into ‘work’ if you’re not careful. The key is to find a relaxing hobby that can make you money without applying any pressure to it (such as making crafts to sell, but not giving yourself deadlines or quotas to fill). There are other ways in which you can get paid to relax. For example, have you heard of sofa testing? This could well be the best job ever, allowing you to essentially make money from sitting on the couch. You can also make money from selling data on all the media you consume, essentially turning activities like listening to music or watching YouTube videos into a form of income. 

Spend time with family and friends

Spending your downtime with people you care about can be productive too. It can allow you to build and nurture bonds which will benefit you in the long run. Of course, for socialising to be relaxing and truly productive, you need to make sure that you’re spending time with people who are ‘givers’ and not just ‘takers’. Limit exposure with people who are draining, and instead spend more time with people who enrich your life. 

Combine housework with downtime

Housework isn’t something many people see as a relaxing activity, however it can be if you combine it with entertainment. This could include listening to music or audiobooks as you tidy, or watching TV or YouTube videos while cooking and washing up. This could make housework more therapeutic rather than just another chore to complete.