We all think it’s a blessing to have downtime at work. That all elusive “free time” where we can relax from the day-to-day pressures of demanding work.

Except we find ourselves at a loss when downtime at work hits us. We don’t know what to do. And watch the hours go by and wait for our shift to end. But there are better ways to spend your downtime at work.

Here are three ways to remain productive during downtimes at work:

1. Get some admin work done

Employees usually prioritize tasks that impact the business and its clients. They have no time to arrange their files, their desks, and their full inbox. Having a slow day allows you to update team reports, respond to emails and double-check previous work. It helps you understand what you’ve done well and how you can improve on it. Another thing you can do during downtime is to check and update your timesheet. So, your managers are well-informed of your attendance for a particular cycle.

2. Help a colleague

You and your colleagues have different roles and responsibilities in your team. Naturally, you’ll have different workloads and working styles. At times, you’ll have more work than them and vice versa. What’s important is that you all work as a team. If someone is swamped with work and you have some downtime – show some empathy and ask what you can do to help complete their project. Get involved with the work they are doing and offer support where you can.

3. Catch up or get ahead

Where you have some downtime, you can choose to get ahead with routine tasks you do every week or every month. And if you have a huge project – you can get minor details started and move on to the more complex ones once the minor ones are done. You can also take the time to finish low-priority assignments that have piled up on your to-do list.

Slow days at work are rare. So, it’s best to spend them in a productive way that benefits you and the company. On the other hand, a little break from work can also be good for you. Lastly, use your downtime to recharge and get your momentum back at work.