There is joy in being lazy. Believe it or not, it also has health benefits. Whether you’re watching an episode of your favorite show and sharing your thoughts on the final episode with a friend, or watching a comforting movie you’ve seen millions of times, you inevitably prioritize spending time on the couch over spending time. You may end up doing it. Remove a to-do from your list.It is estimated that by 2023 the majority of Americans will be Watch TV for 2 hours and 33 minutes per day.
“Taking breaks to do things you enjoy can trigger the release of neurotransmitters such as: dopamineIt’s associated with feelings of joy and well-being,” says licensed psychologist and director Sanam Hafeez. understand the mind told Yahoo Life in New York City. Whether you’re watching TV, immersed in a haunting book, or simply scrolling through cat memes on Instagram, it’s time to recharge your energy and reduce burnout. It is also recommended to spend time with But as with anything, moderation is key.
Here’s what Hafez and other experts and scientists sometimes say about the psychological benefits of lounging on the couch:
Part 1: Don’t feel guilty about cutting corners
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the majority of Americans are sitting too much. 60% of US adults struggle with hitting Recommended daily activity. at the same time, hustle culture Focusing on work more than anything can’t help but affect how we feel about finding time to relax.Slow down and take your time chasing episodes Inheritance In fact, it may feel like a guilty pleasure rather than something you can easily accept as part of your routine. “We’ve been socialized from an early age, so achievements should come first.” Lauren CookA Pasadena-based psychologist told Yahoo Life. “We equate productivity with value, and without productivity we think failure. This is a systemic problem that so many people struggle with.”
Colleen Marshalla board-certified Marriage and Family Therapist and Vice President of Clinical Care. two chairsAgreeing, he told Yahoo Life that he would be disappointed if he didn’t spend time on activities that would help him reach his goals. “But the thing is, we all need to have some way to de-stress. [taking] It’s about getting out of that constant stream,” she explains, and thinks that for most people, relaxation time is: rest day for athletes. “They have a leg day and then they don’t work on their legs for a while.
Marshall acknowledged that stress-relief activities like watching TV or reading a book may seem “unproductive” or time-wasting, but they actually help you rest and recharge. I’m here.
In other words, as Cook points out, “Rest is productive.” “We have to set a time limit and tell ourselves, ‘I’m going to spend this time and not have to choose to accept the guilt that might come with it.’ ‘I’m off for the rest of the night,’ she said.
Part 2: Relaxing Has Many Benefits
Lounging isn’t just a way to rest and recharge from work. Done in moderation, it’s also an opportunity to reap a range of psychological benefits, Hafeez points out.
When you take the time to cuddle up and watch your favorite shows, you’ll get perks like:
Increased creativity
“Rest and relaxation allow the brain to wander and make new connections,” explains Hafeez. “This encourages creativity and innovative thinking.” For example, 2022 surveywatching nature videos alpha brain wavesrelaxation, daydreaming, Creativity.
improve brain power
2020 studies published in journals psychology and aging Older adults who spend more time sedentary were found to excel in knowledge-based activities such as vocabulary, reading comprehension, and reasoning. The researchers concluded that this may be due to the fact that sedentary time is often spent on brain-stimulating activities such as reading non-fiction books or doing crossword puzzles. Ta.
strengthened relationship
Are you making time to indulge? And so on… Or reading a hot new celebrity autobiography, or relaxing in a way that ultimately fosters connection with others, whether in real time or in the future.
Binge watching can be a conversation starter. jamie shenk dewittA licensed marriage family therapist with a private practice in Los Angeles told Yahoo Life. “You might meet someone the next day and say, ‘Did you see the latest episode? Inheritance?It was great,” she says. “And when they start talking, they both get very excited. And you might ask them, ‘What did you think of that?'”
Then discuss the shared experience May cause a surge of oxytocinDeWitt said it is a binding neurotransmitter and has anti-stress effects, such as lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels. “It makes for a positive experience for the whole body,” she says.
Reduce burnout
“Work continuously without taking a break” May lead to burnout‘” Huffez points out. On the other hand, finding time away from work-related stressors can help recharge your mental and emotional energy. This way, once you’ve returned to your traditional “productive” tasks, you’ll be able to tackle them with renewed vigor.
Number 3: It’s possible to eat too much bread.
Just as being overworked can be detrimental to your overall health, the same is true of spending too much time lazing around.For example, studies show that moderate or severe depression is associated More TV viewing and other screen time.
Sedentary behavior can also increase various health risks. for example, pointed out by the CDC Insufficient physical activity can lead to heart disease even in people who have no other risk factors, and can develop other heart disease risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. potential may increase. The CDC adds that recommended physical activity can also reduce the risk of many cancers, including breast, colon, and uterine cancer.
In other words, you need to ask yourself if you’re relaxing enough to give up activities that are vital to your overall health and well-being. DeWitt advises asking yourself questions such as:
Are you binge-watching because you can’t exercise, connect with friends, or get enough sleep?
Is it interfering with your daily life and your ability to grow?
Are you using it as a tool or mechanism to avoid the things in your life you don’t want to get involved in?
If any of the answers are yes, then we recommend cutting back. When it comes to knowing your ideal amount of time to spend loading, know that it’s not a one-size-fits-all, explains DeWitt. “[There’s a difference between] Someone who has a busy week and is so productive that you might say to yourself, “I’m binge-watching that show on Sunday. It feels so good,” and someone who really avoids conflict. [challenges] In my life, when things pile up, my mail doesn’t arrive for a week, and Sunday comes around, I say the same thing,” she says.
No. 4: Consciously Consider Cutting Corners
Whatever resting activity you choose to dive into when you’re lazing around, it’s best to embrace it wholeheartedly, says Marshall. “If you watch for an hour, gilmore girls, It should be done thoroughly,” she recommends. “Rather than worrying about tomorrow’s meeting or the laundry that needs to be done, you should focus on the present moment and enjoy the show.”
Then you become practice mindfulness, she says, it can improve physical health, reduce stress, and bring more joy and happiness into your life. Ultimately, choosing to fully engage in the activity that most appeals to you for stress relief will leave you feeling more fulfilled and better than before watching your favorite show or reading your latest favorite book. says Marshall. “When you feel better, you are more productive and more successful,” she concludes.