After several weeks of lounging in pyjamas or togs over the summer break, I see a stark change in my children: they are calmer, more in tune with their body’s natural rhythm, and have a renewed positive energy that I’d pay almost anything to bottle for when the return-to-school stress cranks up. By the end of the holidays, they are skilful masters in the art of doing nothing, something the luxury of time allows in childhood.
But why should it stop there? Research shows that taking time out to wonder and ponder (or ‘lazing about’, if you will), can have a multitude of benefits at any age – we just have to consciously make it a priority as adults.
“The 9-to-5 is a prison we are used to!” says Charlotte Thaarup, Founder of the Mindfulness Clinic. “Sticking our toes outside these bars feels like we’re not conforming