“Idleness is the Dead Sea that swallows all virtue.”

~Benjamin Franklin

Rainy days make me desire one thing: Curling up with tea and a good book.

What is wrong with that? Nothing. For many people, the luxury of spending a day in their favorite lounge clothes is a treat. Why is it a treat? Because most other days they work hard and expend a lot of mental and physical energy.

Now let’s imagine a different scenario. 

Picture an adult who is staying home because it is more fortuitous for them to do so. They have no job. They rely on taxpayers’ support through any and every form of public assistance they can get their hand on. Perhaps they are receiving stimulus checks as well. They haven’t worked since the pandemic hit, or maybe longer.

Which one leaves a sour taste in your imagination? For me, the second scenario. Why? What’s the difference? Simple: in the first scenario, our protagonist is enjoying a day outside of the norm. It is a treat. A mini-vacation. It is called rest. In the second scenario, it is a lifestyle. It has turned into a permanent state of being. It is called laziness.

Laziness may have farther reaching consequences than you imagined. Here are some ways laziness can influence you and others in your life:

1. Your Mind

Lie around on your couch all day, glued to your favorite reality show or video game, and your brain’s critical thinking skills could go on hiatus. Some people who are physically limited find ways to keep their brains sharp. They read, take online classes, or learn new skills. The person who fills their mind with video games and fluff shows in all their free time isn’t doing themselves any favors.

2. Your Body

Your body is greatly affected by laziness. Sure, you may gain weight. But even if you dodge a few additional pounds, your body is going to suffer. The human body was created to move. That is why we have tendons, muscles, and joints. If you are able, avoid sitting around all day. Get up and move around, even if all you can manage is a quick walk around a room. A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to all manner of chronic health problems, such as poor circulation, constipation, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and loss of stamina.

“Idleness is the stupidity of the body, and stupidity is the idleness of the mind.”

~Johann G. Seume

3. Your Mental Health

There is nothing that can take the place of that sense of accomplishment when you have put in a good day’s work, finished a big project, or completed a task, even the most mundane. Is it any wonder that people who laze around day after day have more issues with anger, anxiety, frustration, and a sense of low esteem? The answer, of course, is simple: get up and make a schedule! Do something, and do it regularly enough so it is routine. Go back to school. Get a job. Learn a new skill. Learn an instrument. Something to make you put out effort will reap the greatest rewards.

Disclaimer: The above is targeting people who are lazy, not those who truly suffer from mental illness. If you do suffer from mental illness, then always follow the advice of your doctor or therapist.

4. Your Mantra

“Plan your work and work the plan” has been my dad’s mantra for as long as I can remember. Whether he learned that from his father or from his days in the Air Force, or if it is a natural philosophy of his Type A personality, I don’t know. However, I do know that the pithy phrase works. Why? Because when you make a plan, you feel like you have steps you can take to move forward with whatever needs to be done. Working the plan means you get off your backside and get moving. It has been said the hardest part of overcoming laziness is taking the first step. Working the plan removes the hesitancy over the first step.

However, I have seen more and more lately mottos like: “Laziness isn’t a bad thing!” But if you read these types of articles, what they are promoting is something similar to the first scenario at the beginning of this article. They are talking about taking a random and infrequent segment of time to unwind and recuperate from the busyness of life. What I am talking about are those who dodge work and responsibilities like it is the national pastime.

5. Your Family, Friends, And Acquaintances

A habit of laziness has a ripple effect. Everyone in your social bubble will notice and react in their own way. For example, I know lazy people, hard-working people, and people who fall in between. If I have to delegate something that is important, I’m going to ask the busy person to do it. I have found the old saying true: If you need something done on time, as a busy person. Call me cynical, but I have no faith that a lazy person will get anything done on time. Unfortunately, the lack of motivation and responsibility will adversely affect others.

6. Your Country

At the risk of sounding a little melodramatic, being lazy can have negative effects on your country. We are seeing this firsthand right now in America. People are complaining about eerily empty shelves in stores. What we need to realize is that the supply line isn’t suffering because of illness, but laziness. Many people are simply staying home because, frankly, they are getting more money from the government to not work than when they receive a wage. This means there is a shortage of workers in many businesses and organizations spanning from hairdressers, hospitals, and employees to stock shelves.

Recently we inquired our local Dollar General regarding their empty shelves. It was so bad I thought they might be going out of business. The answer was no, they aren’t going out of business. But despite all their advertising for help, they don’t have enough employees to stock the shelves. At that time, they had three truckloads of merchandise, but it was all stacked in the back because there was no one to unpack the goods.

The government should stop paying people to stay home. Get out there, get a job, and take care of yourself. The time for staying home out of fear is past. If you are concerned wear a mask. Get vaccinated. But the economical truth is that people need to get back out there and work.

  “Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction.”

  ~Anne Frank

Photo courtesy of Thibault Penin on Unsplash