Tips on How to Relax Without Feeling Guilty

Give yourself the time and space to unwind, without feeling you should be doing something else

Scheduling a break may help dispel the notion that you should be doing something else at that time. (fizkes/Shutterstock)

It can be challenging for some to truly relax without feeling guilty about it. While in their comfortable recliner on a rainy Sunday afternoon, with a cup of tea and a good book, they’re thinking about that phone call they’ve been meaning to make.

Or, on vacation, they’re lounging on a beach dotted with palm trees, looking out at crystal blue waters, and they feel compelled to check their phone to ensure they’re not missing anything important.

If you feel afflicted with such a condition as the inability to relax without guilt, there are a few steps you can take.

Relaxation Is Productivity

First, you need a mindset shift. Allowing your mind and body time to unwind, decompress, rest, and relax is an effective strategy that will make you more productive and effective in the long run. Relaxing refills your tank and rejuvenates your energy. It allows for inspiration to reveal itself and new perspectives to become obvious. It adds variety and color to your life and increases your motivation.

Schedule Relaxation

Much of the guilt you might encounter while trying to relax stems from a belief that you should be doing something else. One way to combat this notion is to schedule relaxation. Simple as it may sound, taking a predetermined break at, say, 2:30 p.m. every afternoon may allow your mind to let go of the sense that you should be doing something else. After all, according to your calendar, you’re doing exactly what you should be.

Make Relaxation a Reward

Being the productive person you are, you’ll likely achieve some goals and check off some boxes as you go about your day. Making relaxation your reward for accomplishment may allow you to be able to relax without guilt. You’ve already “paid for” the privilege by accomplishing what you set out to do.

If you find relaxing to be a valuable reward, you may even find yourself more motivated to do what you set out to do, doubling the benefit of the relaxation itself.

Dissect Your Guilt

Take time to understand what lies underneath your feeling of guilt for relaxing. Have you been consistently letting yourself down in some way? Are you not living up to your own expectations in one regard or another?

Understanding what lies beneath a consistent sense of guilt may point you toward areas of your life that you can take steps to improve. Your guilt may be telling you something helpful. If you begin to make small, incremental improvements in those areas, perhaps you’ll find your guilt diminishing, and relaxation an enjoyable pastime once again.