When was the last time you felt properly rested?

In today’s ultra-busy, hyper-connected world, relaxation can seem like something of a dirty word. All too often, we conceive of downtime as a luxury: something we’d love to partake in, if only we had the time.

But according to a major new study, this association of restful activities with laziness is fundamentally misplaced. A global survey of 18,000 people from 134 countries – spearheaded by Durham University, and dubbed ‘The Rest Test’ – compiled huge amounts of data on people’s varying experiences and attitudes towards relaxation and busyness.

The results of the survey were broadcast on the BBC in a radio programme called The Anatomy of Rest. And they indicate that, far from being something we can afford to opt out of, relaxation is essential for our mental and physical health.

These are the top five relaxing activities, according to science