How to Be Idle
Stress is a normal part of life, and some stress is actually a good and natural thing that gets us through our busy day. However, many people have too much stress, which studies have shown can seriously affect our health and social relationships. Whether family or work related, excessive stress must be balanced by periods of pure idleness, where worries about money and relationships drift away and are replaced by creative daydreaming and activities that provide nothing but pure fun and leisure. Some people have a hard time disengaging from the stress treadmill, however.
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Instructions
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Have a news fast. Being constantly reminded of the sagging economy and troubling world events can put undue stress on anyone. Pick a day or a week every month when you'll turn off the TV and radio news, stop reading newspapers and magazines, and in general disengage from the world and just focus on yourself. Don't worry, the world will go on without you, and you can always catch up on the news after the fast.
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Pick a day once a week to play board games, cook an elaborate dinner, go out with friends or work on a jigsaw puzzle. Avoid watching TV or playing video games. This will be your time, so put money and work problems on the back burner and allow yourself to just enjoy life.
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Get creative. Idleness is the springboard to creativity. By snoozing on the couch, daydreaming in a hammock or taking an aimless walk around the neighborhood, your unconscious mind will have a chance to raise creative ideas to the surface. Many world class scientists, artists and writers report that their most groundbreaking ideas come to them during periods of complete inactivity, so harness this insight and allow yourself to do absolutely nothing for a while.
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Play music. Don't let the fact that you don't know how to play an instrument stop you from harnessing the power of music to tame the stress beast. Tom Hodgkinson, author of the wonderful book "How to Be Idle," recommends getting a ukulele, a very inexpensive and easy instrument to play even for a beginner (see Resources below). Strum some chords, invent a song, sip a cool drink and watch the clouds roll over your head. Afterward, you'll feel energized and at peace with the world.
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Take a mental health day off work. Call in sick to work as many times as you can get away with without losing your job. Yes, your job is important, but if it's so stressful that you can't sleep well or end up in the hospital with heart palpitations or something worse, it's just not worth it. Go ahead and give yourself permission to "play hooky" once in a while (remember the feeling of freedom and joy you got from skipping school?). Go to a museum or have a picnic at the park while everyone else slaves away in their cubicles. A mental health day can work wonders for your creativity, motivation and productivity.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember that idleness is not pure laziness. You will actually benefit from being idle once in a while: your creativity will get a boost, your work situation will improve, you'll sleep and feel better about yourself and the world.
Make sure that your boss won't run into you during your "sick" day.
