{"id":371,"date":"2019-08-05T14:59:23","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T14:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/i2aa.com\/?p=371"},"modified":"2019-08-05T14:59:24","modified_gmt":"2019-08-05T14:59:24","slug":"in-defense-of-laziness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/i2aa.com\/in-defense-of-laziness\/","title":{"rendered":"In Defense of Laziness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Yikes, it\u2019s August! Two-thirds of the summer is over. And as everyone knows, even if you don\u2019t celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the new year begins in September. September \u2013 when we all go back to school \u2013 make resolutions, get focused, go to work and gear up for the fourth quarter. But it\u2019s not September yet so let\u2019s spend the rest of the summer being lazy. Everybody is out of town anyway; no real work is getting done, so why not embrace it and be lazy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s practically un-American to suggest that being lazy is a good idea. We often wear the badge of honor that reads, \u201cI\u2019m Working Hard and Very Busy.\u201d Rarely do we hear or say \u201cActually, I\u2019m not working that hard. I\u2019m taking it easy.\u201d And it is not just when we are officially referring to our work. It is also too often true for when we take time off. Admit it, how comfortable would you feel answering the question, \u201cHow was your weekend?\u201d by saying \u201cI did nothing, just relaxed; read a little; lay in my hammock and looked at the sky\u201d? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even on weekends and vacation we so often feel compelled to fill every day with activities, travel, exercise, and getting delayed personal tasks done \u2013 even the currently popular \u201cmindfulness\u201d is a \u201cto-do.\u201d We want to feel productive even when we are so-called relaxing. There is nothing wrong with these activities. They are fun and bring benefits to our well-being, but we need to be careful not to feel obliged to fill every moment with something \u201cuseful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our recreational activities should not eliminate room for laziness. What if instead we gave ourselves permission to do nothing and (gulp) risk boredom? Research tells us that our blood pressure will go down; our immune systems will strengthen; our mental health will improve. When we give our minds the space and time to simply relax and daydream, we begin to sort and process all the input our brains have received. We will begin to make connections that are not obvious \u2013 increasing both our self-awareness and creativity. A body that relaxes rejuvenates.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I invite you to chill out, have a rest, unwind and take it easy. Do it for the sheer pleasure of being able to do so. Here are some ways I enjoy being lazy: <\/p>\n\n\n\n