I work from home so I mostly use downtime for chores. It's so good to get them done through the day and be able to properly put my feet up after work.

If I'm in the office, I write or draw. I don't like looking like I'm dodging work so I figure if I'm scribbling away in a notebook that doesn't look too suspicious, ha.

That's why I'm here

If you want to be task-oriented and not just fuck around, do some continuing education. Depending on the field, there might even be some free options. You stay current, and you have something to show your employer if you get pressed about what you did during downtime.

Oooor you can catch up on some reading or games and enjoy the downtime.

Duolingo or read a book

I don't try to be productive necessarily. I carry my Kindle with me, and my work laptop is a gaming laptop so I've been playing a bit of Diablo IV in my downtime. I have my own office and it's a very small business so I pretty much do what I want when we're slow. This morning I read 49 pages of Thrawn #2 between project quotes.

I do puzzles, learn languages, maintain a game's wiki, and play portable games that can be installed on my work hardware without going online/writing to the registry/generally upsetting IT.

If you're able to enjoy some downtime from work you can still be personally productive. Maybe Duolingo, or watch videos on how to knit. practice your drawing, or waste it like I'm doing right now and Kbin/Lemmy/Farking

I take care of my biological needs. Then I sit in the queue for a job and play games. I always take my 3DS with me, and Pokemon Picross is a surprisingly fun game!

Take a walk. Watch YouTube videos related to your work. Do some stretches. Have a nap.

Use it for improving your mental wellbeing. Go for a walk, meditate, call family you've been meaning to call. Perhaps work from home if that is possible.

This is why I'm almost always carrying a half knitted sock project.

I wish I had some downtime every once in awhile, lol. Luckily I do like my job though.

Online jigsaw puzzles while listening to podcasts or audiobooks.

I read novels on Project Gutenberg and taught myself Italian. I consider it the most productive use of my time during my entire employment there.