At Your Leisure

Countless studies have proved the positive correlation between leisure time and psychological well-being. But as the lines between work and play get blurred, how does one make room for themselves? Experts show us the way

- Ravi Raj

'Dolce far Niente' is a famous Italian adage that literally translates to the sweetness of doing nothing' - the simple but forgotten art of detaching oneself from the drudgeries of daily life to savour a moment or two. The idea may seem even more alien to those born in the age of communication overload that has ostensibly blurred the lines between work and life.

Since there's only so much time in a day, we are often left with no option, but to cut our leisure time short, while accommodating matters of seemingly greater significance. It's not uncommon to think that leisure time and higher goals and purposes cannot co-exist together, informs Dr Nahid Dave, a consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist, adding how this can often lead to neurological illnesses, like burnout. For Dr Anindita Roy, a counselling psychologist, it's important for a person to understand the detrimental effect of constant physical and mental rush. Countless studies have proved the positive correlation between downtime and physical and psychological well-being. But with busy schedules, back-to-back calls, and a work culture that constantly glorifies multi-tasking, how does one do that? Here's what the experts recommend:

BORROW TIME FROM OTHER ACTIVITIES