This study periodically rests Li-O₂ batteries (for 5-10 min) between each discharge (for 2-10min) to improve the oxygen transfer within the porous electrode. Periodically resting the battery increases the specific discharge capacity by at least 50% at various current densities (0.1 - 1.5 mA/cm²). The performance improvement is mainly due to the enhanced O₂ diffusion during rest between intermittent discharge. The customized electrode is fabricated by mixing acetylene black with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binder. The contact angle measurement shows that PTFE binder results in the lyophobicity of the electrode. The specific discharge capacity is 1629.5 ± 124.0 mAh/g at intermittent discharge current of 1.0 mA/cm² while it is 1031.0 ± 22.8 mAh/g at continuous discharge current of 1.0 mA/cm². Discharge plateaus are elongated and stabilized when the Li-O₂ batteries are discharged intermittently. Multistep discharge at decreasing current rates (2.0, 1.5, and 1.0 mA/cm²) is also proposed to increase the overall discharge capacity with a given cutoff voltage. The specific discharge capacity can be increased from 423.4 ± 29.1 mAh/g to 855 ± 49.9 mAh/g when the multistep strategy is applied. This study emphasizes the importance of O₂ diffusion and provides practical strategies to improve the deep discharge capacity of Li-O₂ batteries, especially at high current rates (> 1.0 mA/cm²).