Our society puts a lot of emphasis on productivity. In the workplace, our productivity is measured by how much we produce in a day and affects our salary and bonuses. In our personal lives, we might also feel pressure to be productive and get things done, like Marie Kondo-ing our cluttered closets and meal-prepping Instagram-worthy mason jar salads.

But what does being productive really mean?

Some people think that being productive means working hard and getting a lot done in a short amount of time. Others think that it means working smart and making the most of our time. Either way, productivity seems to involve working, period.

But have you ever considered that in order to work productively, we also need to experience productive moments of rest and relaxation?

Moments of rest and relaxation can help us to be more focused, energetic, and motivated. Rest can also help us to relieve stress and keep our minds fresh, enhancing creativity and critical thinking.

Although we sometimes work like machines, we are human beings and our brains are working very hard -- they deserve a rest. And even computers need breaks, too! Ever notice how something as simple as a quick reboot can do wonders for your laptop's processing speed? If even our machines can't run nonstop, we shouldn't expect ourselves to.

In order to keep our body and brain functioning at their peak, we need to prioritize the following:

However, if the pressure to 'be productive' is too great, we tend to ignore the above.

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