People Who Need A Lot Of Downtime To Function Usually Keep 8 Simple Daily Habits
Jelena Zelen | ShutterstockResting and having downtime is essential for everyone. Some people, however, need more leisure than others, or they can't function, and they keep simple habits to make sure they get it.
Too many people overlook their need to just do nothing because it feels like a guilty pleasure. Everyone is so trained to stay busy that it's easy to ignore their own well-being just to seem productive.
Simple daily habits of people who need a lot of downtime to function:
1. They prioritize slow mornings
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Mornings are usually a mess of rushing around before the day begins. People who know they can't get through the day without downtime aren't willing to wake up already stressed out. That's why they give themselves permission to enjoy a slow morning.
They wake up before others so they can have peace before the daily grind. They avoid using their phone first thing in the morning before their brains fully wake up. They embrace the quietness of their thoughts, so they’re not operating on empty by the time the afternoon slump comes around.
2. They are careful about saying ‘yes’
When we get caught up in people-pleasing habits, it becomes second nature to agree to every request and invitation to avoid the guilt of disappointing other people. Someone who needs downtime to function doesn't get caught up in that shame loop.
That’s why they're careful about their obligations. They might keep the door open, but they’re definitely protecting their ability to stay home or decide to not show up if they’ve had an especially draining day.
3. They eat lunch on their own
Even if they work in a busy office, people who need a lot of downtime protect their energy by eating lunch alone. Yes, they might run into co-workers heating up their food or stepping out of a meeting, but if they can, they head to their car or close their office door for a quick rest in the middle of the day.
While there’s often peer pressure to go out with co-workers or to stay social for the whole day, they’re intentional about creating a break for themselves, even when they don’t always desperately need it.
4. They spend time reading
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Reading as a hobby is linked to cognitive health and longevity, but it’s also a healthy escape for people who need to check out in order to recharge. It’s an escape without phone notifications and other people’s needs weighing on them.
Even though they don’t technically need it, an inviting book gives them permission to step back and appreciate downtime when life feels chaotic.
5. They schedule their work in blocks
Instead of throwing themselves into a completely full to-do list without a plan, people who protect their time schedule tasks into manageable blocks.
Instead of constantly checking email or phone notifications, they schedule short blocks throughout the day to return to them. They schedule their days so they’re not guessing about how long something takes. They prioritize what’s worth spending time on and what can wait.
Even if they do have things remaining on their to-do list at the end of the day, they have a plan to come back to them, so they can truly enjoy their downtime without worrying about anything not getting their attention.
6. They treat rest like a task
Even if it sounds clinical, sometimes scheduling breaks and rest directly on your calendar is the best way to protect that time. Especially for introverted people who often need alone time and quiet to recharge, it’s essential to prioritize that time before it becomes too much to handle.
They need a balance of socializing and alone time for their own well-being, but it’s the people who make the effort to schedule both as equally important parts of the day who thrive.
7. They turn off phone notifications
Phones are distracting, and notifications only make it worse, causing emotional stress and anxiety. That’s why someone who needs true downtime almost never has phone notifications on
At the very least, they keep their phones on Do Not Disturb so they can check when it’s right for them.
8. They delegate
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Instead of feeling constantly anxious about everything on their plate, people who can't function without downtime delegate when they can. It takes practice to let go, professionally or otherwise, but in the long run, it keeps them from wasting time or emotional energy on things that don’t need their expertise.
Each day, when planning to-do lists, they figure out what to focus on and what to pass off to someone else. Their workload becomes truly manageable, instead of seeping into their personal downtime.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
