Work on doing nothing

How often do you sit and stare out of a window? or stand in a supermarket queue without scrolling through your emails? It was probably around the time you got your first smartphone. and though we might think we’re being efficient by using every last moment of downtime, in fact we’re depriving ourselves of essential mind-wandering, daydreaming moments, when our brain is at its most creative. Researchers from the university of southern California argue that downtime is essential for the brain to absorb what it has learned, to sift through problems and help plan future actions. so switch off that smartphone and do something less interesting instead. ✢ Do IT! go for a walk and allow your mind to wander, or do the housework without the TV on in the background – repetitive activities are another excellent opportunity for daydreaming.