Zero Tasking Day – November 6, 2022, history, significance
The extra hour we get when daylight savings times change is often heralded as an opportunity for extra productivity, activity and ‘doing’. However, given that we’re all already ‘owed’ an hour every other time it changes, it seems a little unfair to expect us to work through it – as such, Zero Tasking Day is designed to dedicate this hour to ‘me time’; encouraging rest, relaxation and a distinct lack of work.
History of Zero Tasking Day
Daylight Savings Time was originally created to help the world keep in line with the cycles of an agrarian society. The times you worked and the times you took care of personal needs were all tied directly to the daylight hours.
So it was decided that changing all the clocks at the same time on the same day would provide an additional hour of light for those who followed a more modern, clock-based schedule. For a while, most of the world followed a schedule affected by Daylight Savings Time, and each year that number is dwindling.
When daylight savings time changes, we are sometimes gifted with an imaginary ‘extra hour’, and zero-tasking day encourages us to take the opportunity to use that hour for personal growth, relaxation, and basically just taking care of ‘me’.
Especially in today’s society where time is constantly marching on and we’re heavily connected to everything, finding a little time to disconnect is absolutely vital to keeping ourselves physically and emotionally fit. So who’s responsible for this little burst of genius?
Nancy Christie, a self-help coach and general life blogger who encourages people to really care about themselves and live the best, happiest life they can. So what better time to do all this than the time that doesn’t exist anywhere else?
ZERO TASKING DAY TIMELINE
1874
Benjamin Franklin Saves the Candles
He writes a letter suggesting that going to bed an hour early can save candle usage.
1875
All Work and No Play
The Factory Act limits daily working hours to eight, allowing people to rest.
1901
The Leisure Industry Emerges
A new form of entertainment emerges for the working-class audience at low prices.
1935
Literacy and Leisure
Reading as a way to unwind becomes common with Penguin Books at the heart of it.
ZERO TASKING DAY ACTIVITIES
Sleep in
That extra hour of much-needed sleep wouldn’t hurt, especially after months of depriving yourself of proper sleep; it is only fair to give in to your body and snooze that alarm.
Do nothing
The best way to celebrate Zero Tasking Day is to do nothing. Take this as a step to teach your body to rest and take a break.
Take control
In an environment where we schedule everything, time has become increasingly important. On this day, take a step back and disassociate yourself from the hustle and bustle of time, schedules, and tasks.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LEISURE
It was for the upper class
Doing nothing was an activity for people with wealth and fewer working hours.
It became an organized part of society
Social organizations and spaces were created for leisure activities.
It was seen as a male activity
Men dominated the public leisure industry.
It follows cultural differences
Time for leisure varies based on the complexity or simplicity of a society.
Men have more of it
Some research shows that men enjoy up to five hours more leisure time per week than women.
WHY WE LOVE ZERO TASKING DAY
Teaches stress control
No one wants to crash and burn, but how do you know you are about to crash when you don’t stop to check? Zero Tasking Day teaches us simple ways to control our emotions. Nothing elaborate; just stop and stare.
Promotes self-love
Life can get overwhelming and demanding, making everyone go crazy trying to keep up. On this day, breathe in and out, appreciate the smaller things in your life and the person you are becoming.
It keeps us in check
Drop your ridiculous list of daily to-dos. Some of us try cramming too many things into our days; we overburden ourselves and don’t do right by our bodies and minds.
