How to rest productively? A psychologist advises

In the second broadcast of Vytautas Magnus University's Student Representative Office (VDU SA) conversation series "Dynamic dialogues" "(Un)productive rest: how to learn to do nothing?" VDU student Emilija together with psychologist Evelina Savickaite-Kazlauske sought to find out why we experience negative emotions while doing nothing and how important rest is. The psychologist shared her practical knowledge and advice.

Lack of rest has a negative impact on the body

According to the psychologist, doing nothing is time passing through your fingers, allowing yourself to simply be: "Without rest, we are in the constant position of a soldier or a fugitive. Then there is stress, which directly affects the body and during which our vital systems are suppressed. Nerves are also disturbed wanderer function. It's our longest nerve that regulates when we relax."

Here, E. Savickaitė sees another problem - the inability to know oneself and one's body: "We pay attention only when the body is already screaming, so noticing the signs of one's body is very important. Self-awareness can be helped by meditation or analyzing your emotions. You should ask yourself: why do I feel stressed, what can I do to relax?'

How to overcome negative emotions?

In our society, doing nothing often equates to laziness. The psychologist explains this very simply: "This is a feeling that has been cultivated in us since the industrial revolution. People imagine that every hour has value, I will not work - I will lose money. Workaholism brings not only money, but also emotional rewards - we get attention for how much we work, how much we've already done, how busy our day is."

As a result, we can feel a sense of shame or guilt after spending the day unproductively: "A lot depends on the attitude in the family, because the same circles are not rest either. We must have time just for ourselves. We have to make it clear to ourselves that this is my time for recovery and is necessary so that I can be creative and have the strength to study well. If I don't do anything, it doesn't mean that my brain doesn't do anything: when it rests, it creates various connections that are vital for us," says the psychologist.

If you feel anxious, the psychologist advises you to try art and coloring therapy and, especially during this quarantine, not to push yourself, to take time for yourself, to rest: "Only self-analysis, awareness of your feelings will help you solve problems, get rid of negative emotions and feel better. Let's not condemn ourselves for not doing anything - this is vital rest for our body."

The influence of social networks

Social networks also take up a lot of time in our lives, but can we consider spending time on them as recreation? "If we watch funny videos or pictures and it gives us positive emotions, laughter, then this is recreation. But if we observe other people's lives and compare ourselves to them, then the warrior position comes into play. When the comparison starts, it's no longer rest," says E. Savickaitė-Kazlauskė.

The importance of regular rest

E. Savickaitė-Kazlauskė also emphasized the importance of regular rest: "You don't need to wait for a vacation, but observe yourself during the day. If we think that we have to be tense all day, it will not do us any good. An example of time planning: twenty-five minutes of work, five minutes of rest, during rest we can look at the sky, at a plant, do pull-ups - all these are forms of rest."

When asked about lying down, the psychologist said that it should be done as much as the person needs it: "Lying down is rest, it is a part of time for oneself. But if this is the only form of recreation, it will not solve our problems, but it needs to be done."

The next broadcast of the cycle "Dynamic dialogues" will take place on January 28. 13:00. During it, VDU SA President Paulius together with VDU Vice-Rector of Studies Simona Pilkiene will talk about the upcoming spring semester: what news and changes await us? You can find all the broadcasts on the Facebook account of the VDU Student Representation.