The Art of Doing Nothing

Mental health or mental wellbeing has become an important concept these days, and we have seen the efforts taken by the government and the corporations (especially in past 2 years) across the globe in encouraging its citizens/ employees to adopt measures to improve the overall mental health and wellbeing. One such measure having a direct impact on the mental health and wellbeing of an individual is "Doing Nothing".

Niksen is a Dutch verb which means "doing nothing" and "Dolce far niente" in Italian language means "the sweetness of doing nothing".

Doing nothing does not mean browsing the internet, practicing your hobbies, shopping, travelling or exploring another country. It simply means doing something without a purpose or let's say it is simply recharging your mind or investing in your wellbeing. Also, doing nothing is NOT the same as meditation or mindfulness.

Psychologist and Niksen expert Helena Lewis states that Niksen is the art of doing nothing, aimlessly and without an objective or aim of being productive. Niksen demands nothing at all. She says many of us never really allow ourselves to do nothing. Even when we choose to switch off, we don't really and we choose to either read or browse the internet or work on personal development or listen to music. This still puts pressure on our brain and we see people suffering more and more with anxiety, stress and burnout.

Therefore, you are encouraged to become aware of "The Art of Doing Nothing" especially its benefits and impact on mental health. You will find several interesting articles and research notes on this topic. Olga Mecking has also written a beautiful book on 'Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing'. Elizabeth Gilbert's inspirational book and movie "Eat Pray Love" is also a must read or watch for this topic.

In today's fast pace environment where it is really challenging to do nothing for a long time, finding few minutes atleast 2-3 times during a day for doing nothing will ensure that your mental health and wellbeing is being taken care of. Depending upon your lifestyle and daily routine, you can decide when best to set these few minutes to invest in your wellbeing, however, below are some ideas to support this investment:

• Set time to spend in nature atleast 1-2 times a day (especially during sunrise and sunset).

• Commuting from workplace to home or vice versa without listening to radio or video or answering any calls.

• Few times every month go to any beach and stare at the moving water.

• Watch the sparkling stars and shining moon in the night.

• Do not start browsing your phone while waiting for elevator or while in the washroom.

• Keep your phone and other devices away from your reach atleast few times in a day.

• Go alone for long walks when possible without your phone or any devices.
  

“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” — Pooh’s Little Instruction Book

“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself” — Matsuo Bashō

“You have to allow a certain amount of time in which you are doing nothing in order to have things occur to you, to let your mind think.” — Mortimer Adler