Welcome to America’s most dreaded day of the year, Tax Day!

For those who waited until the very last day to file their taxes, staying up late to shuffle through receipts and rushing to not miss the deadline can be stressful – not to mention mentally and physically exhausting. As if filing taxes isn’t hectic enough, we are still adjusting to going back to the office and working hybrid schedules. Fortunately, the day after Tax Day, April 18^th, can be enjoyed by celebrating “National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day” on April 19^th!

National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day

While much of the day’s history is unknown, National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day first received national attention in 2004, when Pajamagram launched a campaign suggesting wearing pajamas to work as a reward for staying up late to work on taxes. This holiday always falls on the day after Tax Day and, as the name suggests, it gives us taxpayers a day to “relax” after all the weight from the day prior.

This is the one day a year where rolling out of bed and going straight to work is socially and professionally “acceptable.” This enables a few extra minutes of sleep for all those accountants, tax preparers and procrastinators who were up late pushing the deadline to the limit. Not only is it a great way to recover, but it also provides a bit of fun and the ability to feel comfortable in the workplace.  Although, many of us have been able to wear comfortable clothes at home while working during the pandemic, celebrating a specific day in our pajamas can still provide a much-needed mental boost.

It’s Pajama Time!

I think Sandra Boynton said it best with her children’s songbook, Pajama Time!,

“Let’s get ready to celebrate. It’s Pajama Time!”

The holiday may have been created for fun, but it’s also beneficial to your health too! Wearing pajamas to work can help reduce stress levels and research has shown the more relaxed and less stressed you are, the more productive you are. This day gives everyone the opportunity to be more relaxed and comfortable in the workplace. Before showing up to work in your pajamas, you probably want to check with your boss first.

Pajamas, PJs, jammies, jams, loungewear, nightie, whatever term you use, find something soft, cute, and cozy to wear. Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day is the perfect excuse to show off your bunny slippers and onesies!

“Business as usual” looks a little different in the post-pandemic world.

From waking up an hour earlier to shower to brushing your teeth, doing your hair, picking an outfit, getting dressed, making coffee, and leaving early to avoid rush hour — there are probably many reasons you might not be looking forward to going back to the office. As work cultures have shifted to working from home and not having to worry about the issues you normally would while being in the office, such as meal prepping and business attire, we need to learn how to readjust to office culture and mentally prepare ourselves for success while trying to reduce the potential return to work angst.

Rolling out of bed and going straight to work have been the “new normal” for many of us. With the shift to going back to the office, Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day offers that sense of comfort and relaxation that we have become accustomed to during the pandemic. The holiday might have been created out of silliness, but it is also one way to improve workplace camaraderie and morale for those who have already returned to the office.

Improve Your Office Camaraderie

Encourage your co-workers to participate in the holiday and have fun with it. You don’t want to be the only one rocking your jammies in your office chair. Have a Pajama Day Party and have breakfast for lunch, coordinate with your co-workers and don’t forget to wear your robe and fuzzy slippers!

The holiday enables a sense of comfort in the workplace and with your co-workers. Transitioning back to the office can be challenging and takes time to get used to again. Companies must find ways to create a new workplace culture and not everyone is happy to have to leave their home offices and start commuting again. Getting everyone involved is the perfect opportunity to grow relationships with your team and creates a sense of unity. This results in improved rapport, teamwork and productivity. Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day is a great way to reconnect and have fun with your co-workers.

How To Celebrate Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day

• Wear your favorite pajamas to work
• Treat yourself to a new pair of cozy pajamas
• Hold a contest and give prizes to the best pajamas
• Take group photos and post them to social media accounts using the hashtag #WearYourPajamasToWorkDay (this is great for branding and enables your company to be a part of what is currently trending resulting in improved online visibility!)
• Share pictures with your friends and family of you sitting at your desk in your pajamas
• If you work from home, you can still wear your pajamas and post pictures of yourself on social media

Did You Know…

The word, Pajamas, is the preferred spelling in American English. Pyjamas is more commonly used in English throughout the rest of the world.

However you choose to say it, our nighties were first introduced in Britain in the 17th century and were originally known as mogul’s breeches. They only became popular as loungewear for men from about 1870. Pyjamas were a luxurious and comfortable garment for lounging until the beginning of the 20^th century. In the 1930s, pyjamas became a popular and sought-after garment for women.

Regardless of how or where you rock your sleepwear, we hope you have a great Tuesday!

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