We live in a time where rest is not encouraged. You must keep going, going, going with no end in sight. If you dare to rest, you might miss out on something, like the opportunity or big break you’ve been waiting for. We work ourselves to the bone so much that we become more susceptible to illnesses, stress, and fatigue.
Yes, being active is good for the mind, body, and soul, but being lazy and taking a break also does wonders as well. You can rejuvenate, refresh, and reflect on all that matters.
1. Don’t worry, be lazy.
I’ll be the first to admit that I have a problem with relaxing. I don’t like it and I don’t know how to handle it.
A couple of months ago, I got really sick and had to be admitted to the hospital. In the hospital, there’s literally nothing to do but wait for the doctors to figure out what’s wrong with you. You have idle time to sit, sleep, and heal.
At first, that drove me crazy and I got up and ran through my usual routine. This only led to hurting myself more and received strict instructions to take it easy. Once I was back in my bed, I realized that it’s hard to relax when you don’t know how to do it. So, I had to go back to the basics and research on ways to unwind and ease up.
I learned that breathing, exercising, meditating, writing in a journal, drawing, and watching TV can bring your stress and anxiety levels down. There are also many how-to videos on Youtube (and generally anywhere on the web) if you need guidance. In the hospital, I mostly journaled and binged TV shows like Most Expensivest and Parking Wars.
It may seem like you’re being unproductive, but having some leisure to yourself can help you to work harder and better next time.
2. Lazy days.
There are foods that can influence your laziness! Weird, but sipping green tea, munching on chocolate, and chewing gum are some ways to eat and relax.
Sometimes, food isn’t enough and you should lie down and take a nice, long nap. If you’re at work or school, you can try closing your eyes to rest. Rest is an easy way to regain tranquility and focus in the midst of a chaotic lifestyle and to jump back into things.
Sometimes at work, I would go to the bathroom and stand in front of the mirror and count back from twenty with my eyes closed while taking a deep breath. This would always calm me down and make me feel centered. Try it and see if it works for you!
3. Get lazy in nature.
For all of you that are the outdoorsy type, there are ways to relax through nature! Find the sun and head outside for an easy way to lift your spirits. Bright light can be an effective remedy for all your aches and pains.
If you like nature but don’t want to necessarily climb outdoors, take a break and stare out the window. Gazing at foliage and the other natural beauties around us can be just as relaxing for your spirit.
Getting organized can also release tension. Just organizing your room, desk, or the space around you can help put you at ease. It all comes down to taking a few moments to step back from the high speed of life and focusing on the little things that we let fall to the wayside or don’t care much about.
There’s nothing wrong with relaxing, and sometimes, you have to be lazy in order to do it. Don’t be afraid to relax. You and your body needs time to relax and rebuild because you can’t be great if you don’t focus on self-repair.
Reflect & Refresh 