“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along,
listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
-Winnie the Pooh
Have you noticed how much laziness really gets a bad rap? As a culture, we place so much value on doing and striving and accomplishing, that resting or taking a break is looked down upon. But what about the proven benefits of slowing down?
As it turns out, laziness is not a bad thing at all and is something we all need to embrace. Being a couch potato and allowing yourself to chill out is actually good for you!
Laziness helps you to renew your energy and motivation.
Its no secret we’re big fans of napping around here. When you rest and sleep, you allow your brain time to rejuvenate. You also enhance you memory function. Letting your body rest gives you the chance to restore your energy, much like filling the gas tank of your car.
Being lazy sparks your creativity.
Lounging around allows our conscious mind to slow down, it calms our thoughts and helps to quiet the mental chatter. Giving yourself time to daydream and veg out often actually sparks creativity. This is because when you rest, it stops the process of over thinking – a loop that we often get caught in – which reduces our ability to come up with creative ideas.
Laziness leads to good heath.
Being stressed out is obviously bad for your health. It takes its toll on your heart, among other things. Resting gives your body time to repair wear and tear that’s happened during the day. Even the oldest man in Britain gives credit to his laziness for helping him to live so long!
Laziness helps you avoid burnout.
We all have our limits and there’s only so much we can do until we need to rest or else risk burnout. I always thought burnout just meant you got really tired. But as I’ve experienced first hand, not only is burnout really bad because of the level of exhaustion that comes with it, but most times it also includes losing interest in what burned you out in the first place. Yikes! So even if you’re doing something you’re passionate about, its still important to step away.
We say, embrace your love for rest. Not only is it good for you, but you deserve it too!
Happy weekend! Here’s to spending it sleeping in, hibernating, and relaxing…
Photo Credit: melodramababs via Compfight cc
