1 hr ago
Why Relaxing Is Making More People Feel Anxious
Stresslaxing means feeling worried when you are trying to rest.
Your body may stop working, but your brain may keep thinking about unfinished tasks.
Some people feel guilty when they watch a movie, nap, or do nothing.
This can happen because they are used to being busy and alert all the time.
Phones and work messages can make it harder to know when the day is finished.
Stresslaxing is not described as a disorder.
People can start by noticing their uncomfortable feelings without blaming themselves.
Writing a to-do list or turning off work notifications may help the brain feel that work is over.
Rest is important because it helps the body and mind recover.
Stresslaxing describes feeling anxious, guilty, or uncomfortable while trying to relax.
Research calls this relaxation-induced anxiety; about 15% of people reported experiencing it in one study.
Productivity pressure, perfectionism, chronic stress, and constant digital notifications can contribute to the problem.
Stresslaxing is reported among professionals, parents, caregivers, students, and healthcare workers.
Experts recommend noticing guilt without judgment and using routines or enjoyable activities to create a clearer transition into rest.
- Who
- People who feel anxious or guilty while trying to relax; clinical psychologist Puja Dutta explains the phenomenon.
- What
- Stresslaxing, or experiencing stress and discomfort during attempts to rest.
- Where
- When
- Why
- Chronic stress, perfectionism, productivity pressure, and blurred boundaries created by technology can make relaxation feel like falling behind.
Key facts
- Term
- Stresslaxing
- Clinical description
- Feeling stressed while trying to relax, with rest triggering discomfort, guilt, or anxiety.
- Research term
- Relaxation-induced anxiety
- Reported prevalence
- Around 15% of individuals reported relaxation-induced anxiety in a study cited from the National Library of Medicine.
- Contributing factors
- Chronic stress, perfectionism, constant notifications, and unclear work-life boundaries.
- Commonly affected groups
- Working professionals, parents, caregivers, students, and healthcare workers.
- Suggested strategies
- Notice guilt without judgment, create an end-of-work ritual, disable work notifications, and choose restorative activities that feel comfortable.
Quotes
Puja Dutta
Clinical psychologist and Lead of the IAC Training Academy at India Autism Centre
“Rest is not laziness, nor is it a reward for finishing everything on the list—because the list never really ends. Rest is a psychological and biological need. It allows our brain to recover, our emotions to settle, and our body to prepare for the next day.”
indianexpress.com
“Stresslaxing is not simply about being stressed. It is the experience of feeling stressed while trying to relax. The very act of resting begins to create discomfort, guilt, or anxiety.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Bengaluru Woman Compares Corporate Life To Endless School Exams
DU Professor Links ‘Always Right’ Attitude to Stress
Reverse Vacations: Embracing Discomfort on Holiday
Why Cancelled Plans Can Feel Like Relief: Six Reasons
Why Delayed Replies Can Trigger Anxiety In Digital Relationships
