5 Ways to Use Your Free Time Productively
Yes, it is possible to do almost nothing in a productive way!
Now that it is 2018 and it is time to start following those New Year’s resolutions as well as balance school, jobs, and extracurriculars, it is also important to find ways to use your free time productively. Here are five, simple ways you can do just that:
1. Meditate or Do Yoga
It is important to devote some time to yourself to relax, de-stress, and literally do nothing, but in a productive way. Mediating helps clear your mind of the busy day you’ve had and helps you reconnect with yourself on a deeper level. Sometimes, mediating can turn into napping if you do it for too long so try to meditate for 15-30 minutes in a quiet space. Add some soft music and candles and you can zen your worries away.
2. Go to the Gym
If going to the gym more is one of your New Year’s resolutions, then you are already on the right track to using your time productively. While working out can seem like a dreaded task, it actually helps your mind and body relieve some stress and puts a break in your day. Exercise gives you endorphins to make you happy to put you in a better mood and give you some energy to tackle whatever the day has in store for you.
3. Journal
Whether that is writing down ideas, blogging, making lists, or scheduling your planner, writing down your thoughts will help you remember what you need to get done and have a tangible plan in place before you are swamped with work. Free writing is also very therapeutic and helps exercise a more creative, pensive side of your brain that you might not get to use during your math and science courses.
4. Get Ahead on Homework
School has just started so it is important to stay on top of things before it is too late. Getting ahead on work will help you in the long term and also prevent some of the stress you may feel once assignments and tests start to pick up. While it might not be fun in the moment, just think of all the things you can do with that extra free time to have some fun out with friends in the future.
5. Read
No, I do not mean a textbook this time. Find a book that interests you and try to learn something new from it. It might seem like turning on the TV or Netflix is an easier way of taking a break, but try something new to find some imagination and maybe even spark new, interesting conversations with your friends and classmates. Netflix should be a last resort to use during your free time and if it is, try looking up a documentary or show that addresses current events.
Free time can be used productively even if that means catching up on sleep, working out, getting ahead on work and readings, or even finding an interesting Netflix documentary to watch. In the long term, you will be thanking yourself for getting ahead and working smarter, not harder.