How to Relax Without Guilt

Even without a pandemic, it's hard to find time to do nothing without feeling guilty or upset about it. I struggle with feelings of inadequacy and guilt whenever I do "nothing." But is it really nothing?

Having time to relax is vital for your overall health. Mental and physical. We need breaks! Social breaks, physical breaks, digital breaks, whatever you may need, this time is important.

Here are a few simple reminders so you can relax without feeling guilty.

1. Time is not "wasted." Calm down Rise-and-Grind crew, this one may be hard for you. Time spent doing things you enjoy is not wasted time. Not every endeavor needs to make money or further your career. Some things are just fun. If it helps, my counselor suggested that scheduling time for things you enjoy or what you might consider "nothing" could help you feel less guilty. Make relaxation intentional!

2. Hobbies are not frivolous. Finding something to do besides your usual work is also good for your mental health. Hobbies can bring many positives to your life, but a main point is that hobbies help you cope with stress. Now that doesn't sound like a time-waster to me, that sounds like self-care!

3. You are not your work life. Being busy is not a sign of social status nor that you are doing well. Honestly, it stinks to be busy all the time! It's okay to let others and yourself relax without judgment. You are not lazy for spending an hour watching your favorite TV show after nine hours at the office, while your friend decides to stay late to finish a project. Her life isn't better than yours, and yours isn't better than hers. You each have your own life and you each make choices that are best for you.

These reminders will help you feel less guilty about how you decide to spend your off-time. If you are still feeling guilty about relaxing, try looking inward to see what thoughts are causing these feelings so you can try to redirect them. For example, I feel guilty about relaxing because I have student loans to pay off, but I put in my time at the office and I make enough money to make my payments. A break also helps me be prepared for the next work day so I can perform my best.

Let's stop the guilt and start feeling at ease!