Perhaps the most salient example of this nonchalance is how work-life balance is revered here in America. Indeed, amidst the US culture that celebrates hard work and fierce competition, there is a broad consensus on the necessity of rest. Americans are skilled at quarantining their lives, keeping their job habits from taking over their home hours. The idea of taking a lighter tone as the work week approaches its end is reflected in the popularity of ideas such as “casual Fridays,” when employees are urged to abandon the business decorum of the office for its casual counterpart as the week concludes. Paid time off (PTO) policies are ubiquitous, giving Americans license to leave the office with a clear conscience and get away with a vacation or just some time sitting and doing nothing.

The American comfort zone is also reflected in the country’s favorite pastimes. From backyard barbecues to weekend road trips, the Americans have perfected the art of savoring the small joys in life. The concept of “weekend warriors” — folks who engage in vigorous activity during their time off — epitomizes this cultural trait. Hiking in national parks, competing in sports or simply lounging poolside, Americans know how to maximize their leisure time. This ability to go into work mode and then into leisure mode is another element of the American relaxed attitude.

Even more, that American sense of ease is intimately connected to the country's sprawling, varied geography. The US provides such a variety of settings, from vibrant cities to rooted ruralness, that people will be able to find the environment that gives them the most needed sense of relaxation. The trend of “staycations” — vacations spent at home or close to home — emphasizes Americans' capability of finding peace in their own space without extensive travel. Such flexibility in how and where to unwind plays a role in the overall ease many Americans feel.

The cultural embrace of imperfection is also a factor. Americans are typically forgiving of blunders and realize most aspects of life are not perfect. This attitude also provides an easier way to relax through personal and professional activities. “Good enough” describes a satisfactory outcome and connotes a pragmatic attitude — focus on what works rather than unwavering pursuit of excellence that might come at the expense of well-being. Acceptance of being imperfect certainly creates a calmer and less tense atmosphere, whether at the work front or personal front.

But the American sense of ease is not universal. Building a career and a better life is something that we all need to do, but the pace of life today means that we can often find it hard to relax. In addition, according to Harms, the emergence of the “gig economy,” as well as the growing adoption of remote work practices, has conspired to make work-life boundaries less clear, and for some people, more difficult to dissociate. But the ideal of leisure still has a strong undercurrent in American life despite these challenges.

In general, it is thus an inherent quality of Americanism to take the casual, and cultural aspect of it is to make sure that we align it with our progress. Of course, modern life can be stressful, and it can be easy to be carried away by its tides; nonetheless, the cultural ideal of slowing down and smelling the roses remains one of the defining aspects of the American lifestyle.