I don't feel like doing anything today
Not doing anything & lazy song lyrics
T
oday I don't feel like doing anything, I just wanna lay in my bed
Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone. 'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything
I'll be lounging on the couch, just chilling in my Snuggie. Click to MTV, so they can teach me how to dougie…
Bruno Mars's Lazy Song is about how you feel when you don't want to do anything. Is this a problem? Should I be worried when feeling this way?
Don't feel like doing anything
Idleness, slacking off, and downtime. Laziness can be described in a variety of ways. 'Niksen' is the Dutch word for it. These are emotions that we've all felt at one time or another.
Experiences like these are not unusual.
However, many people dread idleness (1). Most don't want a reputation for laziness. Google 'laziness' and you see a focus on stopping this behaviour. But we have learned that there are actually advantages to doing nothing.
The brain is always active. Even when staring into space. Doing nothing improves brain functioning by allowing it to process information and lock in new learning (2). Daydreaming and other 'being mode' mental activities (e.g., mindfulness) also bring benefits (3).
Our bodies also need time to rest. Excessive activity leads to fatigue, burnout, stress and other psychological problems. Laziness may even be part of an evolutionary survival strategy (4).
So, laziness comes with benefits. But most societies value hard work. Be mindful of laziness self-talk. Laziness is sometimes used to explain why others don't act as expected (5). This is simplistic.
Think about other interpretations of inactivity. Remember the benefits of doing nothing.
Be aware
Some laziness is normal. But, it could also be a sign of trouble. Look out for two warning signs:
Ongoing laziness. Feeling lazy all the time could be a concern.
Additional problems. See the below examples.
Feeling lazy from time to time is not usually a problem. But, frequent laziness could be a worry. Be alert to additional problems. These might include:
Low mood. Mood problems often come with a lack of motivation and energy. Laziness would not be an accurate description in this case.
Anxiety. Avoidance is a common response to anxiety. Dodging anxiety triggers could look similar to laziness.
Sleep and/or appetite problems. Often associated with elevated distress
Low motivation. Tends to be common with mood issues.
Persistent fatigue. Can be a sign of distress and/or medical issues.
Medical symptoms: Consider seeing a GP for a medical check.
Laziness might also be better explained by another issue, such as:
Self-doubt and self-confidence issues
Just calling someone lazy, is lazy! There are many reasons why someone is idle.
Songs about laziness
These artists sing about being lazy or idle....
'Sunny Afternoon' by The Kinks (1966)
'(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay' by Otis Redding (1968)
'Why Don't You Get A Job?' by The Offspring (1998)
Finally, here's a meme about laziness....
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References
(1) Hsee, C. K., Yang, A. X., & Wang, L. (2010). Idleness Aversion and the Need for Justifiable Busyness. Psychological Science, 21(7), 926–930. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610374738
(2) Immordino-Yang, M. H., Christodoulou, J. A., & Singh, V. (2012). Rest Is Not Idleness: Implications of the Brain’s Default Mode for Human Development and Education. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7(4), 352–364. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691612447308
(3) Brandmeyer, T., & Delorme, A. (2021). Meditation and the Wandering Mind: A Theoretical Framework of Underlying Neurocognitive Mechanisms. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 16(1), 39–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691620917340
(4) Strotz Luke C., Saupe Erin E., Kimmig Julien and Lieberman Bruce S. (2018). Metabolic rates, climate and macroevolution: a case study using Neogene molluscsProc. R. Soc. B.2852018129220181292
(5) Madsen, T. The Conception of Laziness and the Characterisation of Others as Lazy. Hu Arenas 1, 288–304 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-018-0018-6