Is a French Sunday the secret to a healthier, happier life? | Polly Hudson

They know what they’re doing when it comes to kissing, toast and horns, so get ready for a French Sunday. A new theory suggests that embracing this intriguing-sounding strategy might just be the secret to life, and, more importantly, to dreading Monday less.

Apparently in France the Sabbath really is a complete day of rest; not for the French any running of errands, cleaning or batch cooking. Rather than trying to do everything, they do nothing. And the hypothesis is that the French Sunday – or le dimanche français, as nobody is calling it – is transformative, and stamps out the Sunday Scaries for good.

The idea of being deliberately unproductive is certainly tempting. It feels bold and controversial because it’s the antithesis of the modern way of life, where we cram as much as we can into every single second, all aiming to become the most efficient, effective, prolific versions of ourselves. Sacré bleu, exhausting! No wonder we’re not looking forward to climbing back on the hamster wheel on Monday; we haven’t given ourselves a break, in either sense.

A French Sunday is not a waste of a day, you’re not being slothful, you are staving off burnout and recharging. Instead of running yourself ragged trying to wring the most out of the weekend, you’re sleeping in, vegging out, relaxing, lolling, pottering, while thinking chic thoughts, or whatever. Perhaps reading a bit, although holding a book takes a lot of energy, so caution is advised.

The only potential pitfall with the French Sunday is enjoying it too much, climbing too enthusiastically on board and trying to extend it. Can’t imagine many bosses would approve a proposal to introduce a company-wide French Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but, you know, God loves a trier. Bonne chance with that.

Polly Hudson is a freelance writer

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