“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it,” — the famous, wise words of a teenage skiver.

Recently my doctor told me I needed to do less and relax more — my levels of cortisol not doing me any favours. Sometimes though I find relaxing is easier imagined than done — I picture lounging on some tropical isle … Oh wait, I live on one. Why am I not the most relaxed person in the world?

There’s never “nothing” to do though …

So sometimes we have to make a gentle effort to put aside the “to do” list, ignore the laundry and dishes and take time off from the daily grind.

When we do, are there ways we can maximise the relaxing, feel-good benefits of our free time? I woke up this morning worried I didn’t have an idea for today’s article. I could have stressed and racked my brain for an answer, but instead I took the doc’s advice, turned over and went back to sleep. An hour later I woke up inspired, with a name in mind … and ate my breakfast watching an 1980s classic movie — for “research purposes” — doing less, getting more.

Especially with the holidays coming up, I thought I’d turn to an expert for a few tips in getting the best out of a day off: “Bueller? … Bueller?” Here are some lessons I learnt and quotes from Ferris Bueller.

#1 Choose good people to spend your free time with — we all need our alone time but we also get a natural boost from interpersonal connection. Plus, we often find it easier doing something when we have friends to do it with … or for. Sometimes the people we love need a little encouragement to relax and have fun. The effort is worth it for everyone.

#2 Get a different perspective — try looking at life a different way. Be a tourist for a day or go up in a plane and look down. Take a boat ride, or go somewhere you’ve never been; anything out of the norm. Relish the newness and note any shifts

#3 See art — enrich and awaken your imagination. Experiencing different creative expressions broadens our ideas and takes us out of our usual mindset. It also gives us something to talk about. Indulge in some culture — a soca concert, the ballet, a poetry slam, a tour around Masterworks … Open yourself to being moved.

#4 Go to a ball game — just saying, the next couple of days are the perfect opportunity! If cricket isn’t your thing, do what is. What is your passion? Or at the very least, what do you find fun? Spend some free time doing it … or planning it … or even reading about it if that gives you joy.

#5 Have a great soundtrack — science shows listening to music has surprising benefits to our health and wellbeing. Charge up your iPod, or get out your favourite CDs, tapes or 8-track. Try creating a free-day playlist that you can sing or hum along to. “Chook-a-chook-ah!”

#6 Leave other people to their own business — wasting our energy and time on what other people are doing does nothing but just that, especially when it’s our free time. “Spend a little more time dealing with yourself, a little less time worrying about what your brother does…”

#7 Be fearless — “It’s ridiculous being afraid, worrying about everything,” says Cameron after his epiphany. It is … it’s not easy to do, but it truly is.

#8 Play and be silly — there is just not enough lip-syncing in the world, in my opinion. A side note — play does not require Dark ‘n Stormys, contrary to popular belief. It does require a freedom of heart, to be present in the moment, to not worry what the neighbours are thinking, and to let your real spirits soar. (Please drink responsibly).

It’s a fun movie. And while I’m not advocating lying or playing hookey (much), we can all do with letting our hair down, relaxing and enjoying the time we get. These things don’t require a lot of doing and can help us relax and make more of our free time. As Ferris says, “Come on, live a little!” And Happy Cup Match!

Julia Pitt is a trained Success Coach and certified NLP practitioner on the team at Benedict Associates. For further information contact Julia on (441) 705-7488, www.juliapittcoaching.com.