One 'Lazy Day' A Week Can Help Reduce Stress, High Blood Pressure And Improve Mental Health

If you’re the kind of person who tends to feel guilty about taking a lazy day, well don’t!

It turns out that just one lazy day a week can actually boost your productivity, happiness and well-being, work wonders for your mental health and even reduce stress and high blood pressure!

But what is meant by a ‘lazy day’? What we’re talking about here is taking some time out, not doing anything that’s on your to-do-list, not checking work related emails, not responding to work calls. 

We’re talking being in your pyjamas all day, taking a nap, doing things that you really like - gardening, watching your favourite shows, eating good food without worrying about calories - enjoying the simple pleasures of life!

Tim Gray, Health Optimising Biohacker, Psychology Specialist, Entrepreneur and Global Speaker said:

"If you don’t pick a day to relax, your body will pick it for you. You know it’s true. If you admit it to yourself. Relaxing really is precursor to being more productive.

"We often think that productivity means to work. It doesn’t. Productivity means making intentional choices towards a goal. And sometimes that choice could be to have a lazy day and replenish. After all, we’re called human beings, not human doings! We weren’t built to go at 100mph 24/7 without stopping to breathe and take in our surroundings.

"You can optimise your sleep, your food, your gut, your energy - but unless you have some real time off, to sit around and do nothing and reflect and appreciate where you’re at, you’ll never repair or operate properly."

So what are some of the suggested benefits of a lazy day?

Help prevent chronic conditions

If you’ve not been feeling 100% for a while, there’s a chance it could be due to accumulated stress that you’ve been unable to address.

"Stress actually kills and taking days off can save you from a lifetime of unexplained physical and mental problems and chronic disease," says Gray.

However, it needs town be said that if you haven’t been feeling well for a while and are experiencing any persistent symptoms, you should definitely visit your GP for advice! 

Increased productivity 

If you find yourself working or even just spending a lot of time thinking about work on your days off, in the long run it is likely to have a negative impact on your performance.

“Taking time off to recharge and replenish will actually allow you to perform far-far better and more efficiently in the long run,” says Gray.

Improved mood, creativity and willpower

“That means improved cognitive ability, creativity and willpower. As well as way less stress, better mood and overall better outcomes,” says Gray.

Tips To Help Ease Stress

Gray suggests trying to ensure schedule their work hours and respect personal hours and know when to switch off, however mission driven one may be.

“Stop constantly checking your emails and texts and making yourself available all the time,” he says. “Get away, even if it’s just for a day.

“People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals.”

On the other hand, he did have one final warning for us all. Being a lazy procrastinator won’t do you any favours either. “Be mission led, but know when you need time to focus on you,” he says.