Today’s society moves at a pace that would have seemed unthinkable just a few decades ago. Our days are shaped by work commitments, family responsibilities, constant notifications, ongoing updates, and a widespread feeling that we must always be available, productive, and performing. Even when work ends, the mind often remains tied to tasks, messages to read, deadlines to meet, or worries about the following day. In this context, free time has gradually diminished, to the point of becoming almost a luxury.
Many people struggle to allow themselves genuine moments of rest, because they see relaxation as a waste of time or as something to be earned only after everything is finished. The problem is that this “everything” never truly ends. There is always something to do, fix, or organize. As a result, personal time is postponed, sacrificed, or filled with additional activities that do not truly restore energy. This cycle leads to a widespread fatigue that is not only physical, but also mental and emotional.
In a society that often measures a person’s value based on results, efficiency, and the ability to keep up, slowing down can seem almost like an act of defiance. Yet this is where a simple but crucial truth lies: free time is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It does not represent an escape from reality, but rather an essential condition for living reality better.
Activities that can restore a sense of lightness
Making time for yourself means regaining balance. It means giving your mind a space where it doesn’t always have to produce, solve, or plan. Moments of leisure help reduce stress, improve mood, and restore valuable energy. They also allow you to nurture your identity beyond social and professional roles: not just as workers, parents, or students, but as individuals with interests, desires, and deeper needs. Spending time in a carefree way doesn’t necessarily mean doing something extraordinary. In fact, it is often the simplest activities that bring the greatest sense of well-being. A walk without a specific destination, for example, can be an effective way to slow down and reconnect with yourself. Walking outdoors, observing your surroundings, and stepping away from screens for a while helps lighten your thoughts and breathe more consciously.
In the digital world, there are also forms of entertainment that are quick and accessible, to be enjoyed with balance and moderation. These can include casual video games, online quizzes, and experiences such as palying slots online, which some people choose as a light form of entertainment. Reading a novel, watching a light-hearted film, or listening to music can also be healthy forms of escape. These activities help shift your attention, stimulate imagination, and allow you to experience emotions different from those imposed by routine. For many, engaging in board games, small creative hobbies, or spending quality time with friends and family is a valuable way to rediscover lightness and spontaneity.
Another often overlooked activity is doing nothing for a few minutes. Sitting down, slowly drinking a coffee, looking out the window, letting your thoughts wander. In an age that pushes us to fill every moment, even stillness becomes revolutionary. Yet it is precisely in those moments of apparent inactivity that the mind can breathe and regain clarity.
Huizinga’s sociological perspective
Reclaiming free time, therefore, does not mean taking it away from important things. It means protecting it, because it is itself something important. A person who allows themselves genuine breaks is more present, more balanced, and often more effective in their responsibilities. Leisure is not the opposite of seriousness, but one of its hidden foundations.
This is also reflected in the thinking of Johan Huizinga, a scholar renowned worldwide and author of Homo Ludens. According to Huizinga, play is not a marginal aspect of human life, but an essential component of culture and civilization. Through play—free and voluntary activity—human beings express creativity, relationships, imagination, and meaning. His perspective remains highly relevant today: taking time to unwind is not wasted time, but an authentic way to remain fully human.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
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