The lost art of guilt-free relaxation on Sundays | Letters

Readers respond to an article about le dimanche français, the French Sunday, being the secret to happiness What Polly Hudson describes as le dimanche français is almost a description of the very British Sundays of my youth (Is a French Sunday the secret to a healthier, happier life?, 23 August). Sundays were days of guilt-free relaxation. There was time to enjoy the company of family, and sometimes close friends, with no time constraints. We enjoyed a good book (not a heavy one), an afternoon film on TV, board games, cards, or a gentle stroll for the pleasure of it rather than as part of a keep-fit regime. And let us not forget time to peruse the Sunday newspapers. Children got bored and learned how to entertain themselves, a skill today’s hard-pressed parents underestimate as they struggle to ensure Sundays are packed with activities. There were no home computers and shops were closed, as were cinemas, swimming pools, theme parks and even pubs in certain parts of the country. This was occasionally frustrating, but more usually an advantage, removing the temptation to feel like one ought to be doing something, thus enhancing a guilt-free mindset. It was wonderful. Importantly, it w