Sometimes, we all need a break. That's okay! Being active all the time isn't necessarily a good thing, and many college students understand the necessity of having time off. Allowing our minds to relax for a while may actually help us be more productive when we're trying to do something important later on. However, being "lazy" isn't necessarily the best option when taking a break. The best way to spend a lazy day is not being lazy.

I know, it sounds contradictory. We've all done this classic move: you lay down for a 20-minute nap with plans to get up and do your homework right after. It's only 20 minutes, right? And your mind will be so much more clear when you wake up! Then…20 minutes turns into 30. Suddenly, you've slept for an hour and have to be somewhere in 15 minutes. What happened? Where'd the time go? Taking a break can be beneficial, but being lazy can turn into a waste of time.

I'd like to suggest a different way to take a break. Instead of doing nothing (i.e watching Netflix, sleeping, playing games), do something that is easy but still forces you to use your mind. Write in a journal (get a book of writing prompts), learn a new skill, watch an informational video (documentary), play an instrument. These things relieve stress, but also keep your mind active. This will help keep you focused, so it easier to get back to work when the time comes. It also removes you from the normal workflow, which gives your mind a break from monotonous tasks.

The best way to be lazy is staying active.