How busy are you on a day-to-day basis? Alright, so the average person is almost always really busy; there’s work, there are social obligations, if you have a partner, then you have that to focus on, and to top it all off, if you have kids, well, that takes up a lot of time too. Don’t forget about the unpaid labor at home, like chores and cooking.
So, needless to say, it’s a lot, and you probably have a lot that you need to deal with. Honestly, with how some people have their schedules set up nowadays, it can be fairly anxiety-inducing the sheer amount of day-to-day responsibilities they have.
However, with that all said, you have to relax- no matter how busy you get. Sure, you could try to justify this by saying you’re playing Solitaire on your phone on your commute to and from work, but that doesn’t cut it. Actually, that’s not even relaxing; you’re biding your time while you’re on your way to do something else. Sure, playing a game on your phone on your couch can be relaxing, but not exactly during a commute.
But anyway, how much relaxation do you truly get a day? This isn’t those little quick things like when you get to eat or when you get to go to the bathroom, but when do you truly get to relax? Well, here are some tell-tale signs that you’re not actually getting nearly enough relaxation time to yourself.
You Just Can’t Remember the Last Time You Did Nothing
When was the last time you had a day where you could literally do nothing? Just a day where you were in your pajamas all day, you slept in, you rolled around, you were lazy, and binged-watched some TV? Seriously, just think about this for a moment. When was the last time you sat down and did nothing? You did nothing, and you felt fine; you weren’t sick?
If the idea seems alien or you can’t remember, it might be a sign you’re not relaxing enough. Everyone needs a few moments of doing absolutely nothing—no planning, no scrolling, just being.
Sleep Feels More Like a Chore Than a Relief
This sounds absolutely horrible, doesn’t it? After all, who doesn’t enjoy getting the chance to sleep and just drift off without having to deal with any worries? But on top of that, are you struggling to fall asleep? Or maybe you’re sleeping okay but still feel exhausted? When we don’t allow ourselves to truly unwind, sleep can start to feel ineffective, like it’s just another task on our checklist. In general, quality downtime can help make your sleep more restorative, not just longer.
Minor Annoyances Feel Like a Massive Catastrophe
If small inconveniences like a spilled coffee or a missed bus make you feel like the sky is falling, it might be time to assess your stress levels. When you don’t get to relax, it’s hard to see what’s a small problem and what’s not; basically, everything becomes so blurred that it’s all just a massive disaster.
So, that’s why you have to relax more; the stress will only build up, and you’re more prone to just explode. Not relaxing enough can leave us without the buffer we need to handle life’s little mishaps with grace.
Your Patience is Always Running Thin
It’s not only running thin, but it’s running remarkably thing- more thin than what you could have expected! It goes back to what was being said right above. So, do you find yourself snapping at people over the smallest things? When we’re wound too tight, our patience wears thin. If you’re more irritable than usual, take it as a sign. Your mind might be begging for a break to replenish your patience and improve your interactions.
You’re Always Feeling Guilty for Taking Breaks
This is a big one. If the thought of relaxing makes you feel guilty or anxious, it’s a strong indicator that you’re not doing it enough. Hustle culture is actually a massive culprit in why so many people feel this way; they get that whole “ride and grind” mantra into their head where they should “only sleep when they’re dead,” and that’s just not something that you should do. Seriously, this isn’t good, and you should never wear this as a badge of honor, either.
Relaxation isn’t just leisure; it’s necessary for mental health and productivity. Giving yourself permission to relax is not indulgent—it’s essential. It might be hard to get into your mind, but if you want to be as productive as possible, it does mean having to take breaks.
