In a recent article for CNBC.com, productivity expert and bestselling author Chris Bailey wrote about the science behind why a some laziness is good for all of us.

Chris writes about how he first began researching productivity because of his own desire to relax and find time for himself. Now, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to focus on balance for ourselves — and the research is there to back this up.

Being stuck in a single mode of chasing productivity, keeping running to-do lists, and worrying about maxing out every day is unhealthy. Combined with the fact that many of us are spending the majority of our days inside, it’s very easy to get trapped on a mental treadmill without a chance to catch our breath.

The thing to remember, Chris says, is that mental downtime is where we get a chance to be creative, plan ahead and get better at problem solving. Meanwhile, anxiety and stress reduce our productivity — not to mention inflame other mental health issues. In the piece, he outlines a few ways that taking some time each day to be lazy can help us:

1. Plan for the future. We think about the future 14 times more often when our attention is free to roam, compared to when we focus on just one thing. So, without even realizing it, we’re reflecting on long-term goals and setting intentions.
2. Come up with new ideas. Try to remember the last time you came up with a creative idea or solution. Chances are it didn’t happen when you were racing to beat a deadline. Instead, you may have been taking a long shower or sitting on a bench enjoying park scenes.
3. Make time to recharge. When our brains are at rest, we’re actually conserving our mental and physical energy so we can expend them on the right things. In a way, we’re also investing in our mental health.

So, with everything else going on right now, remember that taking a walk or reading a book is just as important as finishing that next task.

Chris Bailey gives audiences practical, tactical advice for becoming more productive.

Called “the most productive man you’d ever hope to meet” by TED Talks, a “productivity mastermind” by Fast Company, and “a quirky and energetic guide through the productivity thicket” by the Harvard Business Review, Chris will transform how you and your audience think about productivity in the workplace and beyond.