Just Chill, Relax and Unwind

To me it seems that people are so much busier nowadays and because of it they don't take enough time just for themselves. Before, I was just lazy. What I thought was taking time out for me was actually just being unsociable and unmotivated, but since starting university, I had managed to understand and really appreciate giving myself a break. With lectures and studio sessions all week and then working at the weekends (because let's face it, being a student isn't exactly cheap), I was able to sit in my room and watch a whole 7 series show on Netflix in one go, but now I feel like I actually deserve a day of nothing from time to time.

Others, like my mum for example, have other opinions. Now I'm not saying that she doesn't think people she have a day off, of course I'm not, but in terms of allowing HERSELF a day for her, this isn't something she gives herself enough very often, and she really should. She seems to think that even though she works all day, every day and then comes home to other everyday jobs, she still tells herself that she has to really earn a day of absolutely nothing. Well guess what, she definitely does, because who doesn't like staying in bed until midday and relaxing in their pyjamas all day? I think just about everyone (except crazy people, haha).

If you are one of these people like my mum, then you ARE allowed a day to yourself. You are allowed to say "no" to plans and spend that time embracing yourself and doing whatever it is you want to do. This goes for eveyone, whether you are a school student, and university student, a working adult, a parent, everyone deserves a least one day off occasionally. Here are a few examples of things you could do on a lazy day:

• Read a book - Sure, you could, as I said, spend 12 hours watching Netflix, but personally, sometimes I just like a bit of peace and quiet, and that means even no music! This just helps me clear my head so I'm not thinking about anything in particular, just for one day, and reading is the perfect for me being a couch potato who could easily spend my lazy day getting through Pretty Little Liars. Why I like reading on a lazy day is it's, in a way, like watching TV but in your head. When reading the story, pictures of the scenes and the characters come into your own head and it's really exciting, you have more control. I'm currently reading 'The A. B. C. Murders' by Agatha Christie which I highly recommend, it's just as gripping as any popular Netflix drama, trust me!

• Have a bath - If you desperately want to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, ect. on your day off, cool, it's totally up to you, but why not watch it whilst having a relaxing bubble bath? Once you try it once, you will be hooked. I can't go a week without at least one bubble bath! I don't know if it's just me, but sometimes when I'm spending the whole day in bed or on the sofa watching TV I can eventually feel a bit "icky'. What I mean by that is, because I want to stay in my pyjamas all day, I'll most likely won't shower that morning, (let's be realistic), so now I've started having a bath whilst watching my show of choice, it's the best of both worlds!

• Bake/cook - Who says you have to do nothing on a lazy day? My sister loves to bake when she has day off at home, and I love when she bakes too because it means I get to eat everything she bakes and it's always amazing! She's one of those people who struggles to adjust to a new routine, so relaxing for a long time (like school holidays) can be a bit tricky for her. So instead of not moving all day, she picks a hobby she enjoys and does something productive with it, and her hobby just so happens to be baking. If you are the same, why not have a bit of fun, try some different recipes and create a sweet treat, or a tasty meal, for yourself to look forward to that evening? 

• Go for a walk - Having a day off doesn't always mean staying inside all day. It's about doing something for YOU that will make you feel relaxed and that you'll enjoy. If you are an outdoorsy person, go for a nice walk. You could go wander through you're local town or village, stop for a coffee or lunch, do some shopping, or even just have a peaceful, uneventful stroll and smell the roses.

• Try out a new skill - Lazy days for me are usually the days I try out something I have always wanted to give a go. Most recently, it was actually starting this blog. I discovered that I enjoyed writing more than I realised and that I also had a lot to say, so to me, writing is quite relax and a release of stress. Obviously, writing might not be for everybody, but of course, you don't have to start a blog. You could begin to learn a new language, to play a new instrument, to cook, and many more. You'll never really know if you'll love a hobby if you don't just give it a good go, and there's no better day to do this than a day off from stress of other things, most of the time, things we don't really enjoy. 

So these are only a few examples of the kinds of things you could do on an easy day to yourself, there are so many and it's really up to you as an individual what makes you feel calm and happy. To be honest, if you don't allow yourself the odd day off from everything occasionally, you'll simply burn out, so we all should be given the chance to just chill, relax and unwind. Let me know what you do to unwind and be happy. Until next time.