If you are a business owner, you are busy. There is always a lot to do. You are balancing your own work, finances, time, boundaries, family routines, inner work, and real life every day. To prevent burnout, it is essential to take a pause. This is why taking a mandatory lazy day can be one of the best acts of self-care you can do for yourself.
A lazy day means you get to take off all your professional hats and simply enjoy being you. Put aside the working brain, the to-do list, and the constant pings for your communication. Take on the opportunity to veg out, sit still, and do nothing.
WHAT IS A MANDATORY LAZY DAY?
A mandatory lazy day is when you block off one full day on your calendar to be unapologetically lazy and do nothing. This gives your brain a chance to fully rest and not have to worry about making any decisions.
We often give our bodies time to rest, such as sleeping, taking power naps, or keeping up with a consistent yoga routine. But we can so often forget to give time and attention to our brains when it comes to deep rest.
For example, many business owners try to hustle even more through the holiday season. There are sales increases, market deals, social gatherings, and family stress. This would be a good time to schedule a full lazy day— stay in your pyjamas, watch your favourite show, stop counting calories, and make life cozy for a moment.
Plan to do this as you need. Maybe once a month, once every few weeks, or several times per season.
HOW TO HOST A LAZY DAY FOR YOURSELF
Having a lazy day is kind of like hosting a party just for you. You can include your family if you want, or you can plan this time solo.
1. PUT IT IN YOUR CALENDAR
Schedule the day in! Do not book any meetups with friends, work calls, errands, or special appointments. This is your day. Putting it in your calendar can help you prepare for the best type of rest.
2. PREPARE BEFOREHAND
Since you do not want to really do anything on a lazy day, meal prep the day before or plan to get takeout. That way, you do not even have to work in the kitchen.
Plan to sleep in as long as possible. Remember, you want to let your brain totally shut off. Sleep can help kickstart this rest. Do not worry about showering, but feel free to take a nice relaxing bath and do all the pampering self-care things you enjoy.
Choose some of your favourite passive activities: Watch movies. Read a book. Stare out the window. Make some art just for fun. Lay in a hammock. Whatever helps you feel calm.
3. DON’T TURN ON YOUR COMPUTER
Make sure during your lazy day you do not turn on your computer out of habit. And do not even think about checking your email!
Also, avoid being on your phone. Put your phone in another room, because the point of allowing your brain to rest is to give it as little stimulation as possible. Using your phone alerts the brain that there might be things you are missing out on and it exposes your eyes to excess blue light. Plus, notifications can be distracting.
Although you will not be on your tech devices, you may feel inspired to write things down. You might want to keep a notebook nearby in case you get some great ideas now that your brain has had the space it needs.
4. PLAN TO STAY HOME
Take a leisurely walk if you want, but do not drive around town trying to get extra chores done. Try to stay home.
5. LET YOURSELF BE COMPLETELY UNPRODUCTIVE
Do not flake out early and end the lazy day, even if you feel bored. Sometimes it can be embedded in our brains to “be productive” and get something done. But allow the boredom to come, as it is time to really slow down and allow yourself to be.
The whole idea is you are giving your brain and body a full day to recharge, remember? This is the time where there is no shame, no guilt, and no hurry to take care of yourself.
How do you host your own mandatory lazy day? Let us know in the comments