Life can get incredibly hectic sometimes. Work and family commitments and demands can be relentless. But there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done for everyone else! So, it’s not unusual to lose your work life balance and get sucked into a maddening, hectic routine.

You might find yourself at the office on a working Saturday or working from home. Or, you might be home, but taking care of all the pending household chores, the cooking, the laundry, the decluttering. Doing everything but resting! It seems that you are on a hamster wheel, going round and round, being busy all the time, yet feeling unaccomplished, tired and satisfied in the at the end of the day! And, once your weekend is over, you would end up feeling even more exhausted than usual, wondering where the whole weekend vanished and Monday is already staring at you!  

What Weekends Are Meant to Be  

Weekends are generally considered a time for rest and relaxation in almost all cultures around the globe. And there is a reason for this: Saturdays and Sundays often mark the end of a busy and productive workweek, providing individuals with an opportunity to take a break from their regular work, studies and household chores and responsibilities.

Weekends are meant as a giving ourselves a chance to unplug ourselves from the daily grind, recharge, spend quality time with family and friends, pursue hobbies, engage in leisure activities, and simply unwind from the demands of a busy week.

However, many of us end up working more or longer hours on Saturdays and Sundays due to personal choices, conflicting schedules or work commitments and compulsions. For instance, if you are a workaholic, an ardent follower of the hustle and grind culture, you might be “addicted” to the notion of productivity. You may feel restless and even guilty when not working and taking a break. You may think that you are simply being lazy (or others may think that you are unambitious and lazy) because you are resting instead of working.  

Why It’s OK and (even Important) to Be Lazy on a Sunday

It’s absolutely okay to take some time to relax and unwind on a Sunday. Taking a break and allowing yourself to be “lazy” on a given day is an expression of self-care. Choosing to rest on a Saturday or Sunday has several benefits for your mental and physical health and well-being. I have enlisted a few:

The Need to Mentally Refresh

Resting or engaging in enjoyable activities solo or with family and friends can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Moreover, giving your mind a break from the usual demands can help improve your mental clarity and creativity when you return to your regular tasks. Furthermore, stepping away from your usual routine allows your mind to wander and explore new thoughts and ideas. Thus, weekend breaks can actually lead to increased creativity, innovative, increased thinking, increased productivity and renewed focus and zeal.

Stress Reduction

Continuous mental strain can lead to stress and burnout. Just like your body, your brain needs time to recover and recharge. Thus, taking a day to relax can help in reducing your stress and anxiety levels. Allowing yourself a mental break can help in improving your cognitive function, including your ability to think critically, creatively, solve problems, make decisions, and retain information. More importantly, it allowing you to start the upcoming week with a clearer and calmer mindset.

Physical Rest

Resting can also contribute to physical well-being because overworking your body without proper rest increases the risk of injuries.  Thus, adequate rest is essential for your body’s recovery and overall health. Physical rest allows your muscles to recover and repair from the wear and tear they experience during daily activities and exercise. This recovery process is essential for muscle growth and maintaining physical strength.

Reconnecting

 Taking time to be “lazy” can provide an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, Spending quality time with family and friends allows you to deepen your relationships. It helps build trust, understanding, and emotional bonds that can withstand challenges. Moreover, connecting with family and friends provides a support network that you can turn to during difficult times d find support and comfort. Furthermore, laughter, shared experiences, and emotional support can create memorable stories that you and your children are likely to cherish and carry throughout your life.

Work-Life Balance

Allowing yourself some leisure time, especially on a Sunday, helps maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. Adding more leisure and pleasure to your weekdays help in making life meaningful. You can use your weekends to engage in hobbies, or simply do things you enjoy like reading a book, sewing or crocheting, watching a movie, cooking or ordering something you like and enjoying a meal  

To Sum

Taking a complete break on weekends from work and household chores is important if you value your mental and physical health and relationships. A weekend is that fullstop (or at least a semi colon) that you need in your life to give yourself a break, to start feeling like yourself, to reclaim your joy or joie de vivre.  A weekend means, a time for rest, recharge and rejuvenation. So, get off that wheel of activity and rest up on the weekend without feeling guilty.