Why, oh why, do we feel guilty doing nothing?
It may stem from our childhood, where our parents were visibly (and audibly) annoyed with our lazing about, barking at us to do our homework or chores.
Or, it might be a friend or significant other who made us feel that taking a break was simply not acceptable, especially if they were doing dishes or other household chores at the same moment.
Contrary to popular belief, however, being busy every waking minute does not make you more productive (or healthier or happier, either).
In defense of those of us who like to take breaks from the relentless train of everyday existence, here are some surprising benefits of doing nothing.
Doing Nothing Can Make You Healthier
When someone is sick, they are told to rest. If you have an injury, let’s say it’s your shoulder, for example, one of the first things a doctor will tell you is to rest it (and perhaps ice it as well). Rest days are also encouraged in strength training or other workout regimens. Why? Because it can actually make you stronger when you give muscle fibers the chance to repair themselves between workouts.
Rest helps the body to heal.
The Sabbath is a revered holy day in the Jewish and Christian religions – a day of religious observance and a rest from working.
The ultimate form of doing nothing, of course, is sleeping – and if we don’t get enough sleep, there is a slew of negative consequences…from being irritable to full-on depression. Lack of sleep also increases the risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
On the positive side, sleep promotes physical healing and boost your immune system. A nap, anyone?
Doing Nothing Can Make You More Creative & Innovative
There is research which shows that doing nothing can kickstart your creativity, leading to new insights and inventions.
In fact, 72% of people get their best ideas while in the shower.
That’s right, when you’re doing nothing but letting the water roll over you.
It may look like we are doing nothing to the casual observer, however, freeing ourselves up for the deeper thought is apparently a productive (and enjoyable) way to get ahead.
Doing Nothing Can Make You Happier
Want to be happy? Most of us do. The trouble is that, the more we try, the less likely we are to achieve it. The answer is to do nothing.
Studies show that vacations make people happier. It also makes them more productive when they return.
“’We know that taking a break is extremely good for one’s mental health…It puts you in a different frame of mind, gets you out of your standard patterns and can give you time with family,’” said Susan Krauss Whitbourne, adjunct professor, gerontology, for University of Massachusetts Boston, in an article for TIME.
Problem is, many of us don’t have enough paid time off or a big enough bank account to take a vacation every time we need one (read: weekly). So, take one in your mind instead. Take time out to do nothing on a regular basis, and you can reap the same benefits for a lot less money. Besides, some people pack their vacations so full of activities they are left feeling the need to take another vacation to recover.
Doing Nothing Can Make Your Relationship Stronger
Doing nothing does not have to be a solitary activity. In fact, you really can’t you truly fill up all the time you spend with your partner with exciting activities, parties, and romantic dinners.
Sometimes you simply have to just be.
“There always has been and always will be ‘down time’ in any relationship,” Justin Baksh, LMHC, MCAP, and Chief Clinical Officer at Foundations Wellness Center tells us. “Regardless of culture, race, ethnicity, or any other factor, you cannot humanly remain engaged romantically every second of the day. So, why not veg out together?”
Baksh reveals that binging movies or TV shows serves a common interest and a shared activity. It also allows for cuddling as well as stimulating conversations about travel, politics, childrearing, attitudes, and other relevant life factors you may not have otherwise known.
“You can get closer in your relationship through the enhanced shared ideas that are uncovered. Or, the truth may come out that there are absolute barriers in philosophies that need to be addressed,” Baksh said. “You can also navigate compromise and enhance communication skills through simply coming together to decide on what you both want to watch. Understanding your partner’s picks can also identify a person’s current state of mind.”
All of that from an afternoon of couch surfing? Grab your partner and let the Netflix binge begin!
