Slow Down: The (Lost) Art of Laziness
Do you go to bed with to-do lists flashing through your head? It's time to start slowing down
Liz Durnan
13 February 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety of magazines and websites in London, New York and Sydney. Now I live in the Blue Mountains bush in a strawbale house that we built from scratch. I write about my passions – mainly books and sustainable housing – while writing a book and attempting a permaculture garden.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety... More
Do you find yourself lying awake at night with to-do lists scrolling through your brain? Checking your emails before you’re even out of bed? Talking constantly about how busy you are?
But do you remember a time when you could spend a day doing not much at all and that was okay? Technology now means that many of us are switched on all hours, every day of the week with barely space to breathe, and it seems like not a day goes by without some research telling us this is all very bad for us and makes us even less productive. Hard work and a work ethic can be great things, but we all need a break. So give yourself the weekend off and find places around the home to slow right down and recharge.
But do you remember a time when you could spend a day doing not much at all and that was okay? Technology now means that many of us are switched on all hours, every day of the week with barely space to breathe, and it seems like not a day goes by without some research telling us this is all very bad for us and makes us even less productive. Hard work and a work ethic can be great things, but we all need a break. So give yourself the weekend off and find places around the home to slow right down and recharge.
Swing around
Hitch up a hammock or a swing seat. There’s nothing quite like spending a lazy afternoon lying among the trees, the warm sun licking your face, perhaps reading a book, thinking about life, and having a drink. Just be careful not to fall off.
See more on hammocks
Hitch up a hammock or a swing seat. There’s nothing quite like spending a lazy afternoon lying among the trees, the warm sun licking your face, perhaps reading a book, thinking about life, and having a drink. Just be careful not to fall off.
See more on hammocks
Take a digital detox
Take a break from the screen and try spending a whole day where you switch everything off, even your phone. To make it easier for yourself, let people know you’re taking a break, too. It’s hard at first, but you’ll feel so much better for it, once you no longer feel compelled to constantly reply to emails, texts and social media.
Take a break from the screen and try spending a whole day where you switch everything off, even your phone. To make it easier for yourself, let people know you’re taking a break, too. It’s hard at first, but you’ll feel so much better for it, once you no longer feel compelled to constantly reply to emails, texts and social media.
Take a daytime bath
You don’t have to have a view like this one; you really just need a nice, clean bath. There’s something about bathing in the middle of the day that feels slightly decadent. Make it really hot, add some lavender oil and it will be ultra relaxing.
You don’t have to have a view like this one; you really just need a nice, clean bath. There’s something about bathing in the middle of the day that feels slightly decadent. Make it really hot, add some lavender oil and it will be ultra relaxing.
Have a lie-in
Getting up early can make you feel great, but if you’re woken up by an alarm every morning and jump straight out of bed, to head to work or make school lunches, you deserve a break from routine every now and then. Hide the alarm clock. Get someone to make you breakfast in bed. If you’re alone, get up, make breakfast and take it back to bed with you. Luxuriate in a day off and a few hours extra rest.
More: Breakfast in Bed … And Other Important Activities
Getting up early can make you feel great, but if you’re woken up by an alarm every morning and jump straight out of bed, to head to work or make school lunches, you deserve a break from routine every now and then. Hide the alarm clock. Get someone to make you breakfast in bed. If you’re alone, get up, make breakfast and take it back to bed with you. Luxuriate in a day off and a few hours extra rest.
More: Breakfast in Bed … And Other Important Activities
Sit in the garden
Take some time out every now and then to connect with nature and just do nothing. It might seem like you’re not achieving anything, but occasionally it’s good for your health to just sit and let the heart rate go down, especially if you work in an office all week. If you don’t have a gorgeous garden, go to a park or sit on your verandah if you have one.
Take some time out every now and then to connect with nature and just do nothing. It might seem like you’re not achieving anything, but occasionally it’s good for your health to just sit and let the heart rate go down, especially if you work in an office all week. If you don’t have a gorgeous garden, go to a park or sit on your verandah if you have one.
Meditate
If you find just sitting and contemplating to be helpful, you could take it one step further and learn to meditate. If that sounds too slow for you, try gentle yoga or Tai Chi.
More meditation spaces
If you find just sitting and contemplating to be helpful, you could take it one step further and learn to meditate. If that sounds too slow for you, try gentle yoga or Tai Chi.
More meditation spaces
Take in a view
Maximise windows with views of outside and nature. If you don’t happen to have a horse and a rural view, but there is something pretty outside or a streetscape you can focus on, open the blinds, pull up a chair, and quietly watch the world go by.
More: Windows of Wonder That Make the Most of the View
Maximise windows with views of outside and nature. If you don’t happen to have a horse and a rural view, but there is something pretty outside or a streetscape you can focus on, open the blinds, pull up a chair, and quietly watch the world go by.
More: Windows of Wonder That Make the Most of the View
Write a real letter
When was the last time you wrote or received a real letter? On paper and written by hand with a pen? For me, I think it was circa 1996. For people of a younger generation, it might be never. It’s a shame, because it can be lovely to write a letter and receive one.
When was the last time you wrote or received a real letter? On paper and written by hand with a pen? For me, I think it was circa 1996. For people of a younger generation, it might be never. It’s a shame, because it can be lovely to write a letter and receive one.
Watch a movie in the afternoon
When I was growing up, it was the norm to sit around on Saturday afternoons watching old movies. Now everyone seems to be running around taking kids to sporting events or catching up with work and house chores. This makes it all the more special to sit and watch one of your favourite movies in the middle of the day.
When I was growing up, it was the norm to sit around on Saturday afternoons watching old movies. Now everyone seems to be running around taking kids to sporting events or catching up with work and house chores. This makes it all the more special to sit and watch one of your favourite movies in the middle of the day.
Water the garden
This can be quite meditative – plus your garden will thank you. Try planting some new plants, watering them, and watching them grow. Gardening can be hard work but it’s also relaxing and very rewarding.
This can be quite meditative – plus your garden will thank you. Try planting some new plants, watering them, and watching them grow. Gardening can be hard work but it’s also relaxing and very rewarding.
Have a long lunch
Do you sometimes find yourself wanting to catch up with friends but feeling like you never have the time? Pick up the phone and invite them around for an impromptu lunch. It doesn’t have to be a gourmet feast; whip up something simple that you know you do well, buy a good bottle of wine, and have a long, lazy lunch in good company.
Do you sometimes find yourself wanting to catch up with friends but feeling like you never have the time? Pick up the phone and invite them around for an impromptu lunch. It doesn’t have to be a gourmet feast; whip up something simple that you know you do well, buy a good bottle of wine, and have a long, lazy lunch in good company.
Take a siesta
The Spanish have the right idea – a hearty lunch followed by a nice sleep in the afternoon. Apparently an afternoon nap can be very refreshing.
The Spanish have the right idea – a hearty lunch followed by a nice sleep in the afternoon. Apparently an afternoon nap can be very refreshing.
Sit around a campfire
Why not have a campfire, even when you’re not camping? There’s something deeply relaxing about staring into a campfire after a good meal, feeling the warmth on your face, being mesmerised by the flames dancing around. It’s an ancient ritual and I’m sure it must be really good for the soul. You don’t need a large property; there are now many of those beautiful fire bowls and Mexican chimineas available at hardware stores, but do check the regulations in your area.
TELL US
How do you like to take time out from a busy schedule at home? Please share in the Comments section.
MORE
Chill Out: 17 Ideas To Create More Relaxation Zones At Home
15 Things to Do on Lazy Sunday Afternoons at Home
How to Save Your Sanity When Life is Insanely Busy
10 Steps to Building a Rejuvenating Retreat at Home
Why not have a campfire, even when you’re not camping? There’s something deeply relaxing about staring into a campfire after a good meal, feeling the warmth on your face, being mesmerised by the flames dancing around. It’s an ancient ritual and I’m sure it must be really good for the soul. You don’t need a large property; there are now many of those beautiful fire bowls and Mexican chimineas available at hardware stores, but do check the regulations in your area.
TELL US
How do you like to take time out from a busy schedule at home? Please share in the Comments section.
MORE
Chill Out: 17 Ideas To Create More Relaxation Zones At Home
15 Things to Do on Lazy Sunday Afternoons at Home
How to Save Your Sanity When Life is Insanely Busy
10 Steps to Building a Rejuvenating Retreat at Home
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The yoga studio! What a wonderful place to practice the art of self care.
This weekend i caught up on some sleep, sat in the garden with my coffee, had a nap, and read a whole book. When I go to work tomorrow my colleagues will ask ”what did you do”. I will say ”nothing” and they will look sorry for me, and I will feel a little bit guilty but a little bit naughty and wild 😂
These are all amazing ways to utilize your free time!
Personally, I like to include soothing music when I engage in any of the aforementioned activities. It helps me to relax and brings a sense of tranquility. For instance, taking a bath or lounging on a hammock while listening to calming music is pure bliss.