A Zen Buddhist monk suggests that scheduling a "lazy day" can actually increase productivity.

Working non-stop and taking minimal breaks is a common practice in hustle culture, but instances of burnout demonstrate the importance of allowing for breaks to increase productivity. A Zen Buddhist monk believes that sometimes being lazy can actually increase productivity.

In a recent episode of "Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris," Harris interviewed Brother Pháp Hữu, a Zen Buddhist monk, who argued that laziness can aid productivity.

"Hữu said, "Sometimes doing nothing allows us to deeply reflect and ask ourselves, 'Am I happy? Is what I'm doing providing me with nourishment and joy?'""

Hữu has a weekly "Lazy Day" where he doesn't plan anything and allows the day to unfold as it should.

Practicing mindfulness can spark curiosity and encourage new perspectives on life goals, he observed.

Hữu recommends that individuals who want to incorporate lazy days into their weekly routine begin with a 30-minute period of complete presence in the moment. During this time, be aware of any impulses to listen to a podcast or watch a movie, and make a conscious effort to resist them.

"In the absence of action, there is another thing happening that allows you to feel and see what needs to be felt and seen," Hữu said.

Taking moments of stillness to reflect and contemplate is crucial in determining what brings fulfillment and assessing one's overall happiness.

If we chase after wholeness but fail to recognize that it is already present, and we can offer wholeness to one another by simply being there for each other, we will never stop wanting, according to Hữu.

"By simply being present, we can experience the wonder of life that exists in the present moment."

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