La-Z-Boy UK embraces the importance of resting, relaxing and allowing yourself space to unwind after a busy day. Our Long Live the Lazy marketing campaign aims to reclaim the word lazy and celebrate taking breaks, recharging our internal batteries and prioritising self-care.
For World Mental Health Day (October 10), we look at why being lazy is nothing to feel guilty about.
Taking rest days protects your overall health
If you’ve had a particularly busy time at work or been tackling something stressful like moving house or planning a wedding, you may notice you start to feel tired, run down and burnt out. Experts believe that taking one lazy day a week is good for both your mental and physical health and can even make you more productive.
Switching off mentally and taking time to relax gives your brain and body a much-needed break. And if you don’t build in time to rest and recover, you may find physical symptoms force your body to stop.
As well as impacting your mental health, stress can cause headaches, problems sleeping, muscle aches, nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. It can also lead to dizziness, skin conditions and make existing health problems worse.
Rest also plays a vital role in your body’s immune system so it is common for people who work long hours and don’t sleep well to catch infections like the common cold more easily than those who build in plenty of time to relax during the week.
Relaxation can help you focus
If you’re someone who struggles to unwind because you feel guilty if you’re not doing something useful, it may help to know that rest can actually make you more productive. In fact, relaxing is viewed by many experts as being an important life skill and an important and healthy coping strategy.
Research shows that relaxation reduces depression, anxiety and stress and can boost brain function and memory. This is why you will often find it easier to focus on a task after you have had a break.
When you sit back and unwind, your heart rate slows and the flow of blood around your body increases. This can help replenish your energy levels and help you feel less tired and more able to approach important tasks.
Our digestion also works better when we relax so your body is better able to take advantage of the nutrients in the food you eat. And when you feel better physically, this usually has a positive impact on your mood as well.
Why putting your feet up is important too
Most La-Z-Boy UK sofas and chairs come with either a power recline or manual recline function. This means it is easy to lie back and put your feet up without needing an extra footstool (although many of our collections include those too).
Raising your legs helps increase your circulation, relieve tension from your muscles and reduce any swelling. Putting your feet above your heart aids the flow of blood around your body and means your veins don’t have to work quite as hard.
Make time for rest
If having a lazy day seems impossible, make some time for lazy moments instead. Mark out time in your diary for breaks and prioritise them in the same way you would a work meeting or a trip to the gym.
Building in regular periods of relaxation will help prevent you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Even if it is just setting aside a few minutes each day to listen to music, read a book, watch a film or do some breathing exercises, both your body and mind will thank you later.
Designed and Manufactured in Britain
The Made in Britain campaign is a movement designed to bring together the manufacturing community in the UK, awarding companies who manufacture their products in Britain a collective mark we can use on our products and communications.
The mark proudly demonstrates La-Z-Boy’s commitment to supporting the local economy and community.
You can identify our UK manufactured products by the Made in Britain flag on the product’s photos.
We launch new ranges throughout the year, so be sure to follow us on social media and check back to keep up-to-date with our new products.