Laziness: Science shows the unexpected 5 perks of laziness!
Give laziness the credit it deserves—it might even make you more productive. And as it happens, laziness is a “good” thing. While it might feel counterintuitive to slow down, taking a step back from your rut and grind can work wonders, science says, as release and the rejection of structure and routine will pay plenty of physical, mental, and emotional dividends.
Colleen Marshall, a licensed therapist at Two Chairs, explains to Yahoo Life that “lazy” often refers to being unfocused and unstructured. While it may sound like not having focus and structure leads to getting nothing done, Marshall says the opposite is true.
Here’s what science says about the mental benefits of embracing a lack of structure and focus rather than laziness—at least sometimes.
laziness: Daydreaming increases creativity
A new study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology reveals that just sitting and thinking — letting your mind wander — improves creativity and problem-solving. Researchers carried out various experiments, asking people to predict how much they would enjoy just sitting and thinking without the distractions of eating, walking around, or checking a smartphone. It turned out that participants found the “lazy” experience more enjoyable than expected .
“When we let ourselves unwind or unfocus, we set our mind free to be more effective and flexible,” explains Marshall, adding that this thought process can lead to a creative revelation or seeing something differently.
When we pace ourselves, we can be more present with other people. “When we’re on our screens, we’re missing out on social opportunities to connect,” Lauren Cook, a Pasadena-based psychologist, tells Yahoo Life. Quiet time enables us to make more eye contact with other human beings, see other human beings, notice other human beings, and maybe even have more empathy for our fellow humans.”
Relaxation increases the demand for healthcare services.
Relaxation reduces the need for health care services
Panic breathing, mindful meditation, and spiritual prayer — stepping away from the chaos of everyday life to engage in active relaxation — could see us moving from a need for healthcare services to a healthier self-care space, costing 43% less, according to a Harvard-affiliated study at Massachusetts General Hospital. That’s because these activities have been found to decrease stress-related illnesses such as anxiety and depression and reduce other common stress reactions like headache, back pain, insomnia, reflux, irritable bowel, and chest pain, which the study says “are some of the most common reasons people seek care.”
Jenn Kennedy, a licensed therapist and founder of the Pleasure Project in Santa Barbara, agrees with these findings based on her clinical experience.
“Clients that do these (yoga, meditation, tai chi, qigong, breath work, prayer) have more centered and regulated presentations,” she says, adding that the treatment of depression and anxiety has seen “amazing results.” “They tend to be less defensive and more hopeful. They create breathing muscle memory, which feels more readily available in a moment of stress, and they are able to calm themselves in difficulty or frustration. They sleep better, too, which probably benefits blood pressure and heart and anxiety.”
Short breaks also improve productivity.
Zoning out and daydreaming or chatting with a colleague over coffee may appear “lazy” to those in charge. Even so, it’s an essential part of productivity—and, crucially, of feeling good. In a study in the Journal of Organizational Behavior that tracked office workers in South Korea over 10 workdays, researchers found microbreaks encouraged a boost of energy and recovery from the mental demands of work tasks.
TV watching increases social intelligence, The laziest way to spend your weekend?
Bingeing the Morning Show. However, research suggests that it might increase your insight into how others think—your social intelligence, in other words.
In two new experiments published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, participants viewed either an award-winning TV drama or a TV documentary. Those who watched a TV drama performed significantly better than those who watched a documentary on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, which measures social intelligence.
Resting refines your concentration power.
Anyone who has balanced a demanding work schedule with the responsibilities of home life—whether it’s parenting, caring for an elderly loved one, or simply trying to keep on top of household chores—knows how burnout can produce physical and mental consequences, including problems concentrating and remembering things. But carving out time to be lazy can lead to better focus. In a paper in the journal Educational and Developmental Psychologist, one group of researchers said participants who had unstructured rest and spent time in nature reported higher directed attention than those who continued to work.
Here’s what you need to know: Relaxing your mind can induce awe, which is good for your well-being.
Ultimately, freeing your mind leaves more time for wonder, which is a game changer for your psyche, according to Cook. Research in Perspectives on Psychological Science shows that awe enhances meaning and improves well-being. So the next time you’re tempted to forgo an organized agenda one day for doing nothing on the couch or take one day to walk in nature, know that you’re probably helping both your mind and body.
