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NATIONAL LAZY DAY
Today there will not be much information regarding this annually celebrated holiday as I do not feel like doing any research. Actually, I do not feel like doing anything at all. So I'm dreaming of being in a hammock with a couple of good books and a glass of lemonade, or wine.. Yes, it is National Lazy Day, and I chose to be lazy rather than tell you that this holiday is observed each year on August 10th. Celebrate your inner couch potato by giving up all your daily chores and doing nothing the whole day long!
Lazy Day is a good excuse to be "slothful".While I really don't want to tell you more about this awesome holiday, I'm feeling lazy, you see, so I will, so that you can make the most of trying to be dull for an entire day, too.
Also known in the United States as National Lazy Day, this unofficial holiday of unknown origins honors sloths, slackers, lay-abouts, idlers, and lazybones. It also provides an excellent excuse to those among us who are stressed and over-worked to take the day off and recharge.
How to Celebrate?
Do we really need to spell it out? Laze around, do nothing, goof-off, slack, and procrastinate. Refuse to do any chores - you can always do them the next day. Order food in instead of cooking and spend the day on the couch watching back-to-back episodes of your favorite TV show. Go to the spa and get a well-deserved "me-day". Stay in bed all day long and refuse to respond to any emails or phone calls. Watch the 1929 comedy film, Lazy Day. Okay, that one might be a little too far, unless you're into that sort of thing.Did You Know…
…that many species of the sloth a very slow moving mammal found in Central and South America, can turn their heads 360 degrees? Now, that's a lot of effort for an animal that is named for its laziness!
5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
If you need an excuse to be lazy, here it is. While most of us don’t need an excuse to be lazy for 24 hours, National Lazy Day gives us a legitimate one just before the end of summer. The school year is about to resume, if it hasn’t already where you live, so enjoy it while it lasts. Side note, don't forget to take advantage of lazy day next year [2018] because it falls on a Friday!
Here’s a better look at the holiday and laziness.
1. It’s Not Clear Who Invented National Lazy Day, but It Was Mentioned in 2001
The origin of National Lazy Day is a mystery. However, it has been around for over a decade at least.
Slate writer David Plotz mentioned the holiday in a 2001 essay called “August, Let’s get rid of it.” He notes that August is the only month without a real holiday, but he then goes on to list “lame celebrations” that other months “didn’t want.” “Air Conditioning Appreciation Week, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Week, National Religious Software Week, Carpenter Ant Awareness Week: All these grand American celebrations belong to August,” Plotz wrote. “Is it any accident that National Lazy Day, Relaxation Day, Deadwood Day, and Failures Day are commemorated in August?”
2. A 2015 Study Found That Laziness Is a Sign of High Intelligence
3. Other Studies Show That Humans Are More Interested in Taking the Easy Way Out
Other interesting studies have determined that humans are wired to lazy.
4. The English Bulldog Is Considered 1 of the Top Laziest Dog Breeds
5. A Stanford University Study in 2017 Found That the U.S. Is 1 of the Laziest Countries in the World
Hong Kong averaged the most, with 6,880 a day.
Indonesia came in last place with 3,513 steps a day on average.
In the U.S., the average was 4,774 steps a day.
Many Americans are downright lazy. And it’s making us fat. Does that mean Indonesians are much more likely to be obese than Americans? No, the researchers say. The key is the variation in the amount of walking.
Among those latter countries is the United States, where “activity inequality” ranks Americans fourth from the bottom overall. “If you think about some people in a country as ‘activity rich’ and others as ‘activity poor,’ the size of the gap between them is a strong indicator of obesity levels in that society,” Delp told the Stanford news site.
Tim Althoff, who worked on the study, pointed to Sweden, with an average of 5,863 steps, as having one of the smallest activity inequality gaps. “It also had one of the lowest rates of obesity,” he said. Another factor in activity inequality involved where people live: high-density cities or more suburban settings.
Jennifer Hicks, another researcher in the study, told the Stanford news site that they examined three California cities located close to one another – San Francisco, San Jose and Fremont. They found San Francisco held both the highest walkability score and the lowest level of activity inequality. “In cities that are more walkable, everyone tends to take more daily steps, whether male or female, young or old, healthy weight or obese,” Hicks said.
Enough About Statistics...
How to Be Lazy
Adjusting Your Mindset
1. Reflect on what "lazy" means to you. Depending on your background and beliefs, the import of "being lazy" will likely differ, but ultimately, it's a term that tends to carry a negative implication about not pulling one's weight or not doing things when other people are doing a lot; it also tends to imply that a person does little to improve themselves or their living standards. However, what about seeing lazy in a different light?
2. Reflect on how your lazy self can bring you to work out how to do less. Since when has getting the job done with less effort become a vice? Do you prefer to do things the hard way all the time? If so, whatever for? If the same result can be achieved with less effort, why not take that path and listen to your laziness? Think about this reality before leaping to a puritanical response: just about all of the advances in technology today are the result of laziness.
3. Consider who or what benefits from the busy, ever-working you. Every time you complain that your job consumes your soul and runs your life by the timesheet, you're actually complaining that you don't have the time to really switch off. As a generalization, the idea of lazy people isn't good for business and judgmental terms such as "bums", "good-for-nothings", "bludgers", and "time-wasters", are given to those who are not thought pulling their weight enough. We worry incessantly that someone might label us this way, even as we dare to label others lazy whenever we feel overworked.
4. Know that time spent away from work could renew your energy and spirit. The "virtue" matched to the "vice" of sloth is "diligence". For some, the art of applying oneself to the task at hand with a zealous and unquestioning belief in the worth of working hard has become more about working longer hours to earn more money and to impress others. Yet, this isn't how everyone sees the world; indeed, the Danes work a 37 hour week, find most of their wages consumed by taxes (in return for excellent social benefits), and have an average of six weeks vacation, yet they consistently score as one of the happiest nations on Earth.
3. Consider who or what benefits from the busy, ever-working you. Every time you complain that your job consumes your soul and runs your life by the timesheet, you're actually complaining that you don't have the time to really switch off. As a generalization, the idea of lazy people isn't good for business and judgmental terms such as "bums", "good-for-nothings", "bludgers", and "time-wasters", are given to those who are not thought pulling their weight enough. We worry incessantly that someone might label us this way, even as we dare to label others lazy whenever we feel overworked.
4. Know that time spent away from work could renew your energy and spirit. The "virtue" matched to the "vice" of sloth is "diligence". For some, the art of applying oneself to the task at hand with a zealous and unquestioning belief in the worth of working hard has become more about working longer hours to earn more money and to impress others. Yet, this isn't how everyone sees the world; indeed, the Danes work a 37 hour week, find most of their wages consumed by taxes (in return for excellent social benefits), and have an average of six weeks vacation, yet they consistently score as one of the happiest nations on Earth.
5. Redefine productivity. The how of being lazy is pretty straightforward (as it should be). At first, it may seem paradoxical to you that doing less (aka being lazy) can mean you're more productive. However, what's really going on here is a shift in your definition of "productivity". If you view being productive as "doing more", "getting more done", or perhaps the extreme of "never being caught doing nothing", then the idea of being lazy will probably freak you out.
6. Know to stop when you’re no longer being productive. You may have the mindset that if you’re sitting at your desk, then it means you’re working, or if you’re scrubbing a counter that’s already pretty clean, that you’re doing housework. However, if you want to be lazy, then you have to be able to recognize when you’re just no longer getting anything done and to move on. This can help you save energy, to get done what you really need to get done, and to be more lazy in the process.
7. Know that it’s okay to just spend quality time with people. Not everything has to be about multi-tasking or doing as much work as possible. If your spouse, best friend, cousin, or new acquaintance wants to spend some time with you, give in to that feeling wholeheartedly. Don’t ask your friend if she wants to go grocery shopping with you or send work emails during family movie night; instead, learn to be okay with just enjoying the time you spend with people even if it means you won’t be doing a lick of work.
Taking Action
1. Be smarter about doing less. If you're lazy, then the choice is simple. Do less. But do it smartly: the lazy person makes every second count when they're doing something. If the action isn't going to count, isn't going to shave time off and free you up sooner, then either don't do it, or work out how it can be done in a way that does lessen the time and pain of input to allow you to do less
2. Enjoy nature. When was the last time you just sat in an open field and stared out at the beauty around you? If the answer is “When I was a kid” or even, “Never,” then your time in nature is long overdue. Even if you’re not the outdoorsy type, just spending a few hours hanging out by a pretty field, lake, beach, forest, garden, or mountain range can help you feel at ease and can rejuvenate your mind and body.
3. Allow yourself weekend lie-ins. There is a lot of sleep research about that suggests regular sleep patterns are important to maintain, so sudden changes to your sleeping habits are not recommended. However, a lie-in is not about sleeping; it is about staying in bed and indulging yourself. Read a good book, eat breakfast in bed, draw in bed, or do anything you fancy while simply chilling out in bed.
4. Shop less. Less shopping gives you more time to be doing enjoyable things, like spending time with your friends, spouse, or kids, or hanging around the beach. Have a list, a plan, and do your shopping only when needed. And spending less means you acquire less, so then you own less, which means you have less to maintain and clean, and you're in better financial shape without the clutter. How's that for laziness?
4. Shop less. Less shopping gives you more time to be doing enjoyable things, like spending time with your friends, spouse, or kids, or hanging around the beach. Have a list, a plan, and do your shopping only when needed. And spending less means you acquire less, so then you own less, which means you have less to maintain and clean, and you're in better financial shape without the clutter. How's that for laziness?
5. Shelve your inner busy-bee. Busyness is a habit (often unquestioned), not a pathway to success. Needing to look and be busy all the time will reduce your productiveness dramatically because your focus is on the busy, not the achievement. Instead of running around doing lots of things, slow down. Do less and live a calmer, more peaceful life. Be content to sit, to do nothing. Relax a little. Smile and be happy.
6. Simplify your life. Own less clothes, less cars, less stuff, less anything that needs maintenance, time, attention and elbow grease. Make an effort to donate or give away the clothes you no longer wear, to clean out your kitchen cabinets, to make your social schedule less hectic, and just to make your life easier whenever you can. Though this will take more effort up front, it will leave you time for more laziness later on.
7. Let someone else do it. This is not about manipulation; it's about letting the right person for the task do it. If they're willing, happy, and most competent at the task, leave them be and don't interfere. Many of us carry guilt about letting someone get on with something, even where that person has made it clear they're best doing it on their own, because we feel compelled to help; sometimes our help is nothing more than a hindrance, and at other times, it can be viewed as overbearing and unwelcome.
8. Hop off the communications bandwagon. Constant online interactions without putting boundaries on your input can end up being time-sucking work instead of being fun or productive. Communicate less and give yourself lazy space. Less talking, less convincing, less yelling, less arguing, less emails, less IM, less phone calling, less checking in. If you make an effort to do this, you’ll be surprised by how quickly you’ll feel more “lazy” and relaxed.
9. Do things when they need doing. This sounds like work! The reality is that many things are best done immediately to save greater effort later. A true devotee of the doing less and being lazy crowd will have long ago realized that much of true work results from not doing something well at the start. Remember the saying, “A stitch in time saves nine.”
10. Quit moaning. Lazy people don't complain; first, it takes too much energy and second, complaining is sourced from a sense of unfairness, missing out, and feeling worn into-the-ground. Less complaining and criticizing frees up time and mental space for more creative thinking and more resourceful responses to situations, including finding more productive ways of solving your problems through less focus on blame and more focus on solutions.
11. Be spontaneously lazy. Once in a while, do things differently. Sleep on the couch in all of your clothes by choice (and not just because you're too exhausted to move). Create a tent from blankets with your kids and crawl in and just fall asleep in a heap together. Lie on the grass and count the clouds or stars until you can't be bothered, and just drift off. Don't get dressed all Sunday if you don't feel like it; don’t bother worrying about what the neighbors think.
12. Just put your feet up. If you’ve had a long day, or you just feel like sitting there doing nothing, do it with pride. Sit wherever you feel the most comfortable, put your feet up, lean back, and enjoy the sensation of doing absolutely nothing. Don’t think about all of the things you have to do later or worry about how much you’re being judged; think about something that makes you smile, or nothing at all.
6. Simplify your life. Own less clothes, less cars, less stuff, less anything that needs maintenance, time, attention and elbow grease. Make an effort to donate or give away the clothes you no longer wear, to clean out your kitchen cabinets, to make your social schedule less hectic, and just to make your life easier whenever you can. Though this will take more effort up front, it will leave you time for more laziness later on.
7. Let someone else do it. This is not about manipulation; it's about letting the right person for the task do it. If they're willing, happy, and most competent at the task, leave them be and don't interfere. Many of us carry guilt about letting someone get on with something, even where that person has made it clear they're best doing it on their own, because we feel compelled to help; sometimes our help is nothing more than a hindrance, and at other times, it can be viewed as overbearing and unwelcome.
8. Hop off the communications bandwagon. Constant online interactions without putting boundaries on your input can end up being time-sucking work instead of being fun or productive. Communicate less and give yourself lazy space. Less talking, less convincing, less yelling, less arguing, less emails, less IM, less phone calling, less checking in. If you make an effort to do this, you’ll be surprised by how quickly you’ll feel more “lazy” and relaxed.
9. Do things when they need doing. This sounds like work! The reality is that many things are best done immediately to save greater effort later. A true devotee of the doing less and being lazy crowd will have long ago realized that much of true work results from not doing something well at the start. Remember the saying, “A stitch in time saves nine.”
10. Quit moaning. Lazy people don't complain; first, it takes too much energy and second, complaining is sourced from a sense of unfairness, missing out, and feeling worn into-the-ground. Less complaining and criticizing frees up time and mental space for more creative thinking and more resourceful responses to situations, including finding more productive ways of solving your problems through less focus on blame and more focus on solutions.
11. Be spontaneously lazy. Once in a while, do things differently. Sleep on the couch in all of your clothes by choice (and not just because you're too exhausted to move). Create a tent from blankets with your kids and crawl in and just fall asleep in a heap together. Lie on the grass and count the clouds or stars until you can't be bothered, and just drift off. Don't get dressed all Sunday if you don't feel like it; don’t bother worrying about what the neighbors think.
12. Just put your feet up. If you’ve had a long day, or you just feel like sitting there doing nothing, do it with pride. Sit wherever you feel the most comfortable, put your feet up, lean back, and enjoy the sensation of doing absolutely nothing. Don’t think about all of the things you have to do later or worry about how much you’re being judged; think about something that makes you smile, or nothing at all.
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