Why Kids Need Lazy Days? What Are The Benefits?

If you are feeling burnt out or rushing from place to place frequently, you might benefit as much as your children from having a lazy day at home. While in the past, parents have been encouraged to keep their kids busy and sign them up for a sport, a musical instrument, or an art, it can quickly become too much for both parents and kids. It is very beneficial for children and families to have lazy days and spend time at home with no set tasks or activities. It can foster imagination and creativity, form closer bonds between siblings and within the family, and provide time to rest and reset before beginning another busy period. You may find children who have these rest days sleep better, handle Stress better, and become bored less quickly.

Creating a family schedule is an art in balancing schedules, activities, school, kids, medical, and family commitments. Especially for children enrolled in more than one activity, this can become a juggling act for parents to get everyone where they need to be on time and plan any family time and meals. If you notice that your kids are falling behind in homework, staying up late to finish homework and other tasks, resulting in being very tired at school, showing signs of brain fog or forgetting things more often, or if they are unable to spend time with their friends and engage in hobbies. If parents are rushing and feeling stressed, are skipping meals or feel they are cutting corners for meals frequently, you may be overscheduled.

Several benefits can be found when you have lazy days, which will help prepare your children for a healthy, balanced future. Children will often become overwhelmed when they are too busy, and it is necessary to have time to rest and gather energy to prepare for the next set of tasks. It can be seen especially in younger children who arrive home from school tired, hungry, and grumpy. A lot of interactions and social efforts have to be made every day around other people, which can wear out a kid and drain their energy. Lazy days allow them time not to relax, interact with new people, or follow strict guidelines as they do at school or sports. They also encourage them to rest and care for their needs and wants. It can teach them that it is okay to have slow days and that it is essential to relax. You may find less illness during cold and flu season, better sleep patterns, better marks in school, improved attention spans, and better preparation for stressful situations.

When children are getting enough rest, you will likely find they are grumpy less and are happy to engage in activities when offered and enjoy holidays more as they are not worn out before they go. They will often be better able to share their feelings in a non-problematic way. They will also use their imagination more, looking for things to do; this forms the skill to decide what to do and what to do next, how to spend their time and work around school, homework, activities, and downtime. Quiet days at home also spark creativity as they find new things to do and discover hobbies and other activities they otherwise wouldn't.

Along with the benefits to each family member, lazy days at home also benefit the family as a group. They spend time together without the pressure of what and how they must do it. By having time without structure, they can interact in ways they otherwise wouldn't, and they can better grow their relationships and bond as a family. It allows for family meals, shared experiences and adventures, and time to watch movies or read books and discuss them. Family members will learn about each other and find things they enjoy doing together.

Doing independent activities and spending time alone can be great for learning more about what you like and how you want to present yourself to the world. These are great moments for self-discovery, trying new hobbies or genres of books or games, and learning that it is okay to do nothing at all sometimes. Alone time can be great for recharging social batteries and can improve other relationships.

It can be challenging for busy families to decide what to do during lazy winter days, watching the snowfall, or summer days when it's too hot to be outside for long. This is part of the benefit of these days, as it will fall on each individual and the group to find things to do either alone for time to recharge or together if they still want social interactions.

Puzzles, board games, and even video games can be an excellent way for a family to spend time together. It fosters cooperation and working together, enforcing the idea that you work together as a team or to help learn how to win and lose gracefully, which is essential throughout life. When avoiding boredom or enjoying your favourite quiet activities, these moments are often when people learn the most about their family members, so interacting can be as beneficial as time alone. Knowing that you can be in the same home and room just sitting and doing things quietly is positive for healthy relationships and builds trust.

Rest days and lazy days that lack structure and routine are beneficial for individuals and families in many ways. They allow for genuine rest, allow for catching up on any tasks that can't wait, and allow for both alone time and bonding time with the family. They reduce stress, improve sleep, and remind everyone that it is okay to take time for themselves and time to take care of themselves.