the importance of relaxing

Sometimes it feels really good to do absolutely nothing. Sitting back, feet up, cup of coffee and a good book or a feel-good talk show can put anyone in a good mood. If you're anything like me, being a little lazy (for just a little while) might actually help you be more productive.

We can only push ourselves so much until we completely burn out. Allowing ourselves some time to decompress can give our brains a break — whether that's with a guilty pleasure TV show or a quick power nap. So long as we don't get carried away, giving ourself a rest is good. Yesterday, I took a lazy day of sorts, but I used it to recharge. I made inspiration boards, messed around with personal design projects, made to-do lists and gave myself some time to catch up with my projects. When I was done being "lazy" for a little, I had an incredibly productive evening that absolutely flew by. This doesn't give me an excuse to be lazier more often, it just reminded me how important it is to keep ourselves relaxed in spite of our work loads.

We can't always manage to have lazy days. In fact, some of the times we could use a lazy day the most are precisely when we really don't have the time to spare. But even if you can't afford to relax for four hours straight, find little ways to sneak some relaxation in. As I was drafting this post for example, I did a face mask. You don't need to compromise your tangible goals with peace, just find small things that bring you peace and incorporate them into your life whenever possible — especially when you are stressed out and busy.

Lazy days can be lazy-ten-minutes, just find easy ways to manage it. While social media may feel like a break, it has the potential to add even more stress to your life by comparing your life to the idealistic representations people decide to post. Instead, try disconnecting a little, whether through doodling sketches, reading an article, closing your eyes and listening to your favorite song or going on a walk. Then, when you have a little more time, allow yourself to decompress even more.

In this busy world where everyone is trying to figure out their personal hustle to reach their goals, it's easy to feel a little guilty for wanting to take a break. But in the long run, those breaks make a difference. Our bodies are finely tuned machines and we need to take care of them. Give yourself time to breathe deeply and relax, and you'll be surprised how much it helps.