It all comes down to intentions.
It is restful if I plan to have a break in a day. On the other hand, an unexpected event derailing my daily plans would be the cause of unproductive days.
For instance, searching for something on Google for work, which took me hours watching the YouTube show of a cat copying the actions of its owner, would not be a restful break. 🙂
Without the intensional approach to each daily moment, it creates feelings of unproductive days that invariably bring negative emotions at the end of the day.
One of my favourite and “intended” rests I look forward to each week is having coffee chats with Mom and sister on weekends. Sharing the stories of past work days with mom and sister brings joy and rest the expensive/annual vacations cannot sustain.
Besides, “buying the happiness” with only 3 cups of coffee would be a cheap and sustainable way to create more “productive” days.
After the weekend morning run at the local track for half an hour, heading towards our favourite coffee shop is the activity all of us look forward to….especially after the productive (but not so restful) activity of running. 🙂
Spending time on both productive (physical exercise) and feeling rested (coffee time) is probably the best feeling I can have until the craziness of Monday mornings starts.
Life Outside of Design Studio 