Laziness has a bad reputation. Everyone assumes that being lazy is a negative thing. It implies a lack of action or a period of being unproductive and wasting time doing nothing.
The very definition of lazy means “not willing to work or use any effort.” But who decided that being lazy was so wrong? Especially when sometimes, it feels so right.
In reality, a lazy day is not only not a bad thing, but it can be extremely beneficial for your health, emotional well-being, and ability to get sh*t done. For mothers especially, this is excellent news.
As parents, days can feel very long and very exhausting. Time moves slowly (and also incredibly fast), and some days, it feels like an impossible task to get anything done, leaving us feeling drained and uninspired, which is precisely why we all need a lazy day from time to time.
It’s time we all stopped blaming ourselves, quit feeling guilty for taking a day off, and instead encouraged a day of much-needed rest. Consider this your official excuse to embrace a lazy day (or two). Here are reasons why being lazy is actually good for your health.
Being Lazy Can Lower Blood Pressure
Research shows that having lazy moments and naps during the day can improve heart health and lower your blood pressure. Researchers at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania found that taking a mid-day snooze and “dropping off for 45 minutes to an hour helps to lower your blood pressure after a stressful event.” And no, those benefits did not correlate to increased evening sleep, “the stress-busting, blood pressure-lowering benefits were specifically derived from daytime napping.” So go ahead, take that mid-afternoon snooze.
Laziness Increases Creativity
People assume that when you are lazy, you are unfocused, which equates to being unproductive. But experts have found that while intense action and focus lead to meaningful progress at a task, unfocused moments in the day are when we are our most creative. So don’t feel bad about having a lazy day, use it as a chance to embrace your creativity and inspiration. You’ll be productive once you know what you want to accomplish and why.
You’ll Focus More on Long-term Goals
Consider what you think about when you are being lazy and your mind wanders off to a daydream. It’s not about what bills you have to pay or what’s on your to-do list; you’re thinking about the future – about your hopes, dreams, and goals. Research supports that when our attention is at rest, we focus on our long-term goals, an essential part of a successful life. A study published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition suggests that “mind-wandering can enable prospective cognitive operations that are likely to be useful to the individual as they navigate through their daily lives.”
You Will Come Back Rejuvenated
Just like a great night’s sleep, a lazy day sometimes is what you need to recover, re-boot, and return rejuvenated for a better, more productive, more fulfilling tomorrow. So go ahead, take the day to be horizontal and allow yourself the time to be lazy.
