Go ahead – waste your time

Napping does a mind and body good. A 15- to 20-minute snooze can make you more alert and energized and improve your stamina, and longer naps can even help you learn and retain information better, according to research by Sarah Mednick, Ph.D., a psychologist and sleep researcher at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. That’s all the excuse you need to rest those drooping eyelids for a minute.

Messiness is in the eye of the beholder, say Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman in their book, Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder.

Just because your idea of “organized” is scattered or mixed up doesn’t mean you’re necessarily slower or less efficient; you may just have your own system. And if you’re naturally a little sloppy, what really wastes time is struggling to maintain strict order. Sure, always searching for your keys isn’t exactly time efficient, but think of the treasures you’ll discover in the depths of your bag!

Gossiping, whether positive (“Lily’s pregnant!”) or negative (“Lily is definitely gaining weight”), is a great way to pass some time, according to research surveyed by the Social Issues Research Centre in England. Gossiping helps us relate and bond with our peers over shared values. In fact, it may even increase your endorphin levels, which reduces stress and lowers your heart rate. No wonder they call it the “gift” of gab (By Rebecca Davis).

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