Friday, October 17, 2025

Why Laziness Might Be the Best Warning Your Body Gives You

Understanding Laziness as a Psychological Response

Have you ever had moments where you received a work task, but for some reason, despite knowing you should start right away, you find yourself procrastinating until the last minute? Or when you feel mentally and physically drained, even though there’s not a lot of work or responsibilities, and all you want is to rest? Or when you face a difficult challenge and realize you have no control over your actions, watching as opportunities slip through your fingers without even trying?

These are all scenarios we commonly experience, and the first instinct is often to label ourselves as “lazy.” However, the more we criticize ourselves for it, the more trapped we become in anxiety, frustration, and fatigue, ultimately creating a cycle that leaves us feeling stuck. Psychologist Cikey highlights a crucial point here: laziness isn't just a lack of willpower or discipline, but a psychological defense mechanism—a way our minds and bodies signal that something deeper is wrong and that we need help.

When we dive deeper into understanding laziness, it becomes clear that it’s not just about a temporary dip in motivation; it’s often our body’s way of sending us an SOS signal. When we understand the underlying cause of this "laziness," we can take steps to address it more effectively, breaking the cycle and restoring our energy and mental clarity.

The Case of the Overburdened Woman: A Wake-Up Call

One story shared by therapist illustrates the profound impact of unchecked stress on productivity and well-being. The story involves a hardworking woman who, at work, had always been diligent, constantly moving, and striving to prove her worth. Her efforts were eventually recognized, and she was frequently given opportunities for advancement. However, when a significant opportunity presented itself—a chance to present to a major client, which could lead to a promotion—she found herself inexplicably overwhelmed.

Despite her initial excitement, she began to experience rising anxiety as the presentation deadline approached. Even though she was fully aware of the importance of preparing her speech and refining her pitch, she found herself procrastinating. Rather than working on the task, she became distracted, even binge-watching TV shows as a way to escape the pressure. Her performance at the presentation, unsurprisingly, was disastrous—her speech was disorganized, and she couldn’t even answer questions properly. Following this, she continued to feel unmotivated and lazy, struggling to find energy for even basic tasks.

What was happening in this situation? The woman was facing intense pressure—pressure to perform well, pressure to meet expectations, and pressure to succeed. While her outward behavior seemed like laziness, what was actually happening was her body's way of shutting down to protect her from the overwhelming stress. It wasn’t laziness in the traditional sense; it was burnout and emotional exhaustion manifesting as avoidance and lack of motivation.

Psychological Research: Stress Triggers a Defensive Response

The case of the overburdened woman illustrates an important point: stress, anxiety, and fear can trigger a psychological and physical response that feels like laziness but is in fact the body’s defense mechanism. Neurological research shows that when we’re under chronic stress or surrounded by negative emotions, our brain’s amygdala gets activated. The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions like fear and stress, and when it's overactivated, it can make us feel overwhelmed and even paralyzed.

When our bodies and minds experience continuous stress, our nervous system floods with stress hormones like cortisol. This creates feelings of anxiety, irritability, and a sense of being mentally and physically drained. Instead of being productive, we may feel an overwhelming urge to escape the situation or procrastinate, which can look like laziness from the outside. However, it’s actually a coping mechanism—a response to mental overload.

The Bigger Picture: Recognizing the Pressure We’re Under

It’s easy to see these moments as personal failures or signs of a lack of discipline, but they’re actually much more complex. Most of us experience such moments regularly—whether it’s struggling with a looming deadline, feeling unable to handle a difficult work situation, or becoming increasingly frustrated by a lack of progress. These situations often lead to a gradual decline in our energy and motivation, and we may even find ourselves self-blaming, further deepening the sense of being stuck.

Recent surveys and studies show that a staggering 90% of respondents experience burnout or feelings of exhaustion connected to their jobs and personal lives. It's clear that many people are facing overwhelming pressure, and the resulting fatigue and laziness aren’t simply because they’re "lazy"—they're signals of mental and physical burnout.

The Role of the Body: A Sensitive Alarm System

The body is an incredibly sensitive instrument, capable of detecting early signs of stress and fatigue. Unfortunately, we often ignore these signals, pushing ourselves further and further without taking the necessary breaks to recharge. As a result, we continue operating at full capacity, ignoring our need for rest. Over time, this leads to a depletion of our mental and physical resources, manifesting as exhaustion, low energy, and a lack of motivation. This is when we often begin to experience the kind of “laziness” that feels uncontrollable.

The reality is that laziness often isn’t laziness at all. It’s the body and mind sending out a distress signal: "I need a break, I’m overloaded, and I can’t keep going at this pace."

Stories of Burnout: How to Recognize and Address It

The story of L is another example of how intense workplace pressure can cause burnout. L was known for her relentless work ethic—constantly going above and beyond, preparing materials in advance, memorizing data, and taking on more than her share of responsibility. While others admired her, she felt physically and mentally drained, much like a bird that has overexerted itself and can no longer fly. Despite her best efforts to rest at night, she woke up exhausted, unable to focus, and increasingly detached from her work.

Recognizing her condition, she took a long break to reset. By stepping away from the constant demands of work, she allowed herself time to recover. She spent time reading, writing, and engaging in activities that helped ease her anxiety. When she returned to work, she slowed down her pace, focusing only on the tasks she was responsible for and setting boundaries to avoid overcommitting. This approach allowed her to regain her energy and focus, showing that sometimes, slowing down and taking breaks is necessary to regain productivity.

Three Key Strategies to Combat Burnout and Restore Energy

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, lethargic, or unmotivated, there are several strategies you can use to recharge and break the cycle of burnout:

1.    Slow Down and Lower Expectations: Sometimes we set ourselves up for failure by setting unrealistically high goals. When we don’t meet these goals, we spiral into anxiety and frustration. Instead, try lowering your expectations and focusing on small, achievable tasks. This will help you build momentum without feeling overwhelmed.

2.    Rest Effectively and Refuse to Overwork: Mental exhaustion is just as debilitating as physical fatigue. If you feel stressed or anxious about returning to work, it might be a sign that your mind is overloaded. Take time for rest and relaxation, whether it’s a short meditation break, physical exercise, or simply taking a walk. Small moments of relaxation can help reset your energy levels.

3.    Practice Mindfulness and Positive Thinking: Negative thoughts can drain our energy, making it hard to stay motivated. When you find yourself spiraling into negativity, try focusing on the positive. Remind yourself of past successes, and use positive affirmations to shift your mindset. This simple shift in perspective can help reframe your mental state and boost your energy.

The Importance of Listening to Your Body

Ultimately, laziness isn’t something to fear. It’s a sign that your body and mind need attention and care. By listening to these signals and responding in a healthy way—whether that means resting, lowering expectations, or shifting your mindset—you can break free from the cycle of burnout and restore your energy. Everyone has moments of exhaustion, but it’s how we respond to these moments that determines our ability to overcome them and thrive in the long term.

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Friday, October 10, 2025

The Best Way to Enhance Your Luck

Someone once asked online: How can I change my luck?

The highly upvoted answer was: Luck isn't random; it's hidden within a person's mindset and lifestyle. To change luck, you must first change your way of life.

Indeed, that's the case. Good fortune doesn't just happen; everything around us is attracted by our own energy and qualities.

Everyone hopes for good luck and meeting influential people, but they overlook the fact that good luck is often self-sought:

Being passive and idle will only let opportunities slip by, while being proactive will lead to a better life.

In 2025, it might be beneficial to adopt these five lifestyle habits to boost your energy, upgrade your thinking, and truly "enhance" yourself.

01 Rise Early, Recharge Your Energy

Have you ever experienced this:

Staying up late at night to meet deadlines, only to feel lethargic and drowsy the next day; or hitting the snooze button for an extra 10 minutes of sleep, only to rush and feel anxious afterwards?

But when you occasionally wake up early, calmly go through your morning routine, and head out, you feel energized for the entire day.

As the saying goes, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

Waking up early allows us to have more time to organize work and life, leading to a better state of being.

People who habitually wake up early often have better health and a better state of mind.

Waking up early acts like the butterfly effect, gradually improving your life.

If you also want to develop the habit of waking up early:

a.Take gradual steps

Every week, set your wake-up time 10 minutes earlier until you find a schedule that suits you.

b.Practice the "3-second rule"

When you hear the alarm, imagine a rocket launch, count down three seconds, and immediately get up. Repeat until it becomes reflexive.

c.Make mornings enjoyable

If you prefer to be alone, use this undisturbed time to read or meditate; if you're active, take a walk or exercise in the morning light.

When you can gracefully handle each morning, you can handle life's challenges with ease.

02 Exercise, Energize Your Body

Many youths are sharing their experiences on social platforms: "Stretching and twisted my neck," "Went to the bathroom, then couldn't stand up," etc.

These bizarre injury experiences are both amusing and concerning.

In reality, how many people around us are becoming increasingly fragile due to prolonged lack of exercise and overexertion.

"In the short term, life depends on intelligence, in the medium term, on willpower, and in the long term, on physical strength."

To confront life's challenges, it's essential to exercise and keep our bodies healthy.

If you want to develop good exercise habits:

a.Establish the right "exercise perspective"

Exercise is not just for weight loss but for a healthy body. When you prioritize your health, you'll make time to exercise.

b.Commit to exercising for at least 20 minutes each time

This significantly increases dopamine and serotonin levels, making you enjoy exercise while maintaining a cheerful mood.

c.Find an exercise you enjoy

Skipping, running, frisbee... Whatever form of exercise, as long as you persevere, it will bring positive changes to your body.

By sticking to exercise, you'll discover that you're stronger than you ever imagined.

03 Reading, Nourish Your Emotions

There's a saying: "Reading can't solve all problems, but it can help you see problems more comprehensively."

Books nourish our spirits, making us resilient and enriched.

When you've experienced countless lives through books, setbacks won't seem like dead ends.

After my friend gave birth, she went through a difficult time.

During that period, her child woke up frequently at night and cried incessantly, leaving her feeling helpless. She always felt she wasn't a good mother.

When her child was three months old, she developed mastitis, adding to her physical and mental stress, almost leading to depression.

To ease her mood, she began studying psychology books. In these books, she realized that her low spirits were influenced by postpartum hormones and were only temporary.

She tried using the methods from the books to guide herself and gradually emerged from her depression.

Often, we are swayed by emotions because we only look at problems from one perspective. Books, however, can help us break free from this confinement and find different answers.

In today's fast-paced and stressful world, if you want to have good emotional health, try these two things:

a.Read more history books

When you see the hardships and dilemmas of generations in history, you'll understand life's impermanence. You'll realize that the ups and downs of life are just experiences and practices.

b.Read more classic books

Classics that transcend time often contain the thoughts and wisdom of the past. They will offer you unique perspectives and help you break out of mental constraints.

04 Meditation, Lighten Your Mind's Burden

There's a story:

One Christmas Eve, Andy and his friends left a party. Suddenly, a car out of control came towards them.

Andy watched in horror as his friend was hit by the car and thrown away. This accident left him sleepless and plunged him into depression.

Every night, lying in bed, scenes of the past would constantly flash through his mind, causing him unbearable pain.

It wasn't until later when he discovered meditation that he realized:

Much of our suffering doesn't come from past experiences but from our brains. Those fears and anxieties are actually created by the brain.

To rid oneself of this suffering, one must train the brain through meditation to live in the present moment.

So, he persisted in meditation for 10 years, completely changing his life.

Each of us may experience the darkest moments in life. If we keep worrying about the past and fearing the future, we'll only find ourselves trapped in an emotional whirlpool, sinking deeper and deeper.

By mastering our consciousness, living mindfully, and with a positive attitude, we can achieve true mental and physical freedom.

If you want to try meditation:

a.Practice "stability."

Close your eyes, stabilize your emotions, focus on your breath, feel the rise and fall of your body, and live in the moment.

b.Practice "tranquility."

Listen to the sounds around you, observe your thoughts, but don't let them affect your mood. Be an observer, letting thoughts come and go.

When you learn to live in the present moment without judgment, you'll have a healthier and more relaxed state of mind.

05 Writing, Upgrade Your Thinking

Have you ever felt this:

You've read many books, but in the blink of an eye, you've forgotten everything, not remembering what you read;

You've consumed a lot of practical knowledge, but you've only learned surface-level concepts, without any substantial improvement...

This is because no matter how many books you read or notes you take, you're just accumulating other people's viewpoints.

Only when you learn to express what you've learned in your own words can you gain true knowledge. And the best way to do that is through writing.

Writing forces us to think, organize, and summarize what we've learned, making our thinking clearer.

To enhance your thinking through writing, you can try these:

a.Record constantly

When you encounter a new idea in life, don't just stop at reading it. Try to write it down in your own words and interpret it.

b.Write 

Find interesting points, interpret them from different perspectives, and add your own thoughts.

Organize them into a complete article and gradually build your own knowledge system.

By learning to use writing to improve yourself, continuously upgrading your cognition and thinking, you'll be better equipped to handle the unpredictable future.

There are three ways for a person to obtain good luck:

Firstly, leave it to fate and wait for good luck to come unexpectedly;

Secondly, continuously accumulate and upgrade your thinking to discover opportunities that others can't see;

Thirdly, improve your own strength, allowing opportunities to find you automatically and making good luck inevitable.

To obtain good luck, it's better to learn to improve yourself from the inside out:

Stick to exercise to have a healthy body; stick to meditation to have good emotions; stick to reading to have a broad vision.

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Friday, October 3, 2025

Simplify Your Life: 21-Day Minimalism Checklist

Minimalism does not mean living a life of austerity or monotony. It's about eliminating unnecessary complexities and redundancies from life while meeting basic needs, making life simpler, more orderly, and harmonious.

Minimalism helps us reduce the burden, both material and spiritual, allowing us more time and energy to focus on truly important things such as family, friends, health, and personal growth.

21-Day Minimalism Plan:

Day 1: Assessment and Preparation

List all items in your daily life, including clothing, furniture, electronic products, etc. Examine these items, distinguishing between "essential" and "non-essential." Develop a preliminary list of minimalist living goals.

Day 2: Wardrobe Organization

Sort clothes in the wardrobe into "regular wear," "occasional wear," and "unused" categories. Donate or discard unused clothes. Develop a reasonable storage and access plan for regularly worn clothes.

Day 3: Kitchen Organization

Check the ingredients and seasonings in the kitchen, discard expired items. Clean out infrequently used kitchen utensils and tableware. Develop a simple kitchen storage plan to ensure items are orderly.

Day 4: Study Room Organization

Clear unnecessary documents and items from the desk. Organize books, storing less frequently read ones in storage areas. Develop a convenient access plan for commonly used study or work supplies.

Day 5: Electronic Devices Management

List all your electronic devices. Analyze which ones are truly necessary and which ones are rarely used. Develop a usage and management plan for electronic devices to reduce unnecessary screen time.

Day 6: Simplify Daily Activities

Examine daily activities to identify areas that can be simplified. For example, merging similar tasks.

Day 7: Review and Adjustment

Review the organization process of the past six days and make adjustments based on actual conditions.

Day 8: Deepen Wardrobe Organization

Organize and rehang regularly worn clothes, ensuring easy access. Use storage boxes or bags to properly store seasonal clothing, keeping the closet tidy.

Day 9: Simplify Kitchen Cooking Utensils

Develop a weekly cooking plan to reduce food waste and unnecessary cooking activities.

Day 10: Electronic Devices Organization

Use electronic labels or software tools to categorize and label electronic devices for easy retrieval and use. Organize electronic device cables to ensure neatness.

Day 11: Simplify Daily Commuting

Review daily commuting methods, consider reducing commuting time or choosing more environmentally friendly travel methods. Evaluate commuting routes and transportation methods, choosing the most convenient and sustainable options. Also, schedule travel times sensibly to avoid peak hour congestion and increase commuting efficiency.

Day 12: Deepen Bedroom Organization

Deepen bedroom organization, tidy up the bed and bedside table, ensuring items are neatly arranged. Assess storage space in the bedroom, optimize storage solutions, use storage boxes or bags to organize seasonal items. Also, develop a bedroom cleaning and maintenance plan to keep the living environment clean and comfortable.

Day 13-14: Simplify Shopping Habits

Simplify shopping habits, create a shopping list and stick to it, avoiding impulse purchases. Only buy items that are truly needed and try to choose high-quality, sustainable products. Assess shopping needs and budgets, reducing unnecessary expenses and waste.

Day 15: Simplify Dietary Habits

Review dietary habits, reduce waste and unnecessary purchases. For example, create a weekly shopping list to avoid frequent outings for shopping.

Day 16: Mental Organization

Examine your mental self, such as social media use, TV watching, etc. Reduce unnecessary mental inputs and make time for genuine interests and hobbies.

Day 17: Time Management

Develop a reasonable time management plan to ensure enough time is allocated each day to accomplish truly important tasks.

Day 18: Exercise

Start a simple exercise plan, such as walking daily, practicing yoga, etc. This helps simplify life and promote physical and mental health.

Day 19: Social Simplification

Examine social activities, reduce unnecessary socializing, and stay connected with those who truly care and support you.

Day 20: Financial Organization

Assess your financial situation, develop a reasonable budget and savings plan. Reduce unnecessary expenses and prepare for future life.

Day 21: Review and Summary

Review the entire 21-day minimalist living plan, summarize your achievements and changes. Develop a continuous minimalist plan for the future.

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Why Laziness Might Be the Best Warning Your Body Gives You

Understanding Laziness as a Psychological Response Have you ever had moments where you received a work task, but for some reason, despite ...