My therapist once said something that stuck with me:

“You don’t have to work until your battery is empty. Your phone also goes back to 100% quicker if you start charging it at 20 or 30%.”

And honestly? That hit me.

We get it when it comes to fitness—you wouldn’t train the same muscle group every single day because it needs time to recover. But when it comes to our brains? We just keep going, non-stop, like some overworked, underpaid intern at the universe’s busiest office. (Feels relatable?)

I used to think a day was only successful if I collapsed into bed completely drained. Staying at university until closing time? Standard. Five days a week at uni plus weekends spent working? Of course. And if I happened to have a free hour? Well, there was always something I could do for school.

I used to envy my mom, who works at a hospital. When she got home, she knew her workday was done (shout-out to her though, being a mom is a full-time job on top of a full-time job). Meanwhile, as a student, I never had that clear stopping point. Should I start the essay now or the night before? Spoiler: waiting until the last minute would’ve given me anxiety of the century, so I always started early. And let’s be real—nothing is more annoying than those last-minute crammers who somehow pulled off a better grade. Yes, Yann—my former-stoner roommate—I’m talking to you!

Anyway, my point? Slowing down is hard, especially when there’s always more to do. But even top athletes take rest days. So why do we act like taking a break is some kind of moral failing? Society glorifies overworking but shames rest, as if burning out is some kind of life achievement. Newsflash: It’s not.

Taking a lazy day—or even two—isn’t merely valid. It’s necessary.

Sunday is my slowest, most intentional day—and hands down, my favorite. Why? Because I let myself do whatever feels right in the moment. Staying in pajamas until the afternoon? Absolutely. And honestly, I think we could all use a little more of that.

Why are lazy days a necessity?

1. Lazy days help prevent burnout

Ever noticed how one day you can study for 10 hours straight, and the next day your brain feels like fried mush? Yeah, that’s burnout knocking. You can’t give 100% all the time. Some days, 50% is all you have, and that’s okay. My therapist always says, “Your all looks different on different days.” If you don’t take time to recharge, exhaustion builds up, focus disappears, and motivation tanks. Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s the only way to keep going long-term.

2. Lazy days boost creativity

Why do your best ideas come to you in the shower? Or right before bed (or at 2 AM—hello, my brain)? Because when your brain isn’t drowning in deadlines, it actually has space to make creative connections. Some of the most innovative thinkers swear by doing nothing as a way to spark inspiration. Taking a break lets your mind wander freely, often leading to those “aha!” moments. Sometimes, the best solutions come when you’re not actively searching for them.

3. Lazy days support mental health

Let’s be real—society stigmatizes laziness, but pushing yourself to the edge? That’s what actually leads to stress, anxiety, and depression. I used to say, “School is my number one priority,” and I lived by that. But I completely ignored my mental health—until, surprise, it caught up with me. Now, I make me my top priority. Because let’s be honest: That A+ no one will ever ask about again? Not worth sacrificing your well-being. Without your health, you have nothing.

4. Lazy days make you more productive (ironically)

Funny enough, taking breaks actually makes you better at getting things done. Think of it like charging your phone (yes—the phone example again—thank you, therapist)—if you let it hit 0%, it takes forever to turn back on. But if you plug it in at 30%, it charges way faster.

Same goes for your brain. Taking a step back helps you return with more energy, better focus, and actual efficiency. Working non-stop doesn’t mean you’re achieving more—it usually just means you’re running on fumes.

5. Lazy days teach self-compassion

In a world that constantly demands productivity, choosing to rest can feel uncomfortable—almost rebellious. But learning to rest without guilt is a powerful act of self-care. It reminds you that your worth isn’t defined by how much you accomplish, a truth many people come to realize eventually through burnout, illness, or a good ol’ identity crisis. You deserve to exist without constantly proving your value through work. Resting doesn’t make you lazy—it makes you human.

So if you’ve been waiting for permission to slow down—this is it.

Your brain (and body) will thank you.

What would it look like if you started prioritizing rest as much as productivity moving forward?