Choosing between relaxation and mastery depends on the greatest need and desired outcomes. Relaxation results in calm, quiet, and serene states, while mastery leads to activated, excited, and active states. Striving for relaxation in the evening helps with better sleep, while engaging in stimulating activities in the morning promotes positive, effective states. This approach applies not only to evenings and weekends but also to full-blown vacations. Depending on the relief needed, one can opt for a relaxing beach vacation or a mountain climbing expedition. Treating weekends like vacations can also aid in recovery. Engaging in a single-task like cooking can be therapeutic, providing space to breathe and focus, resulting in a sense of rejuvenation. The primary motivation is the payoff of sharing a meal with others.
Many people don’t use all their paid time off from work — and struggle to relax and recover on nights and weekends too. What does it take to make our breaks more restorative? Adam examines the evidence on recovery and burnout, explores how workplaces can reimagine vacation policies, and highlights what kinds of hobbies are best suited to different times of day. Available transcripts for WorkLife can be found at go.ted.com/WLtranscripts