We live in a culture obsessed with productivity. Hustle culture tells us to optimise every moment, turn hobbies into side hustles, and fill every spare minute with something "useful." But here's the thing: doing nothing isn't wasted time. In fact, it might be one of the most important things you can do for your wellbeing.

The art of doing nothing - sometimes called "niksen" in Dutch culture - is exactly what it sounds like: intentionally making space to simply exist without purpose or productivity. No scrolling, no optimising, no ticking off to-do lists. Just being.

If that sounds uncomfortable, you're not alone. Many of us have forgotten how to rest properly. But learning to embrace stillness can transform your mental health, creativity, and overall quality of life.

What is the art of doing nothing?

The art of doing nothing means allowing yourself moments of true rest without guilt or the need to justify them. It's not about being lazy, it's about giving your mind and body permission to pause.

This might look like:

• Sitting in your garden without your phone
• Staring out the window during your morning coffee
• Lying on the sofa without turning on the TV
• Watching clouds drift by on a Sunday afternoon

There's no goal, no outcome, no achievement. You're simply present, without pressure to be productive or entertained.

Why rest isn't lazy

Somewhere along the way, we started equating rest with laziness. But rest is essential for human functioning. Your brain isn't designed to operate at full capacity all day, every day.

Research shows that our brains need rest to process information, consolidate memories, and solve problems¹. When you're constantly busy, your mind doesn't get the space it needs to think deeply or be creative.

Rest also helps regulate stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress from never switching off can lead to burnout, anxiety, and physical health issues². Doing nothing isn't indulgent, it's preventative healthcare.

The benefits of doing nothing

1. Reduces stress and anxiety

When you're constantly on the go, your nervous system stays in a heightened state. Doing nothing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the part responsible for rest and recovery. This lowers your heart rate, reduces cortisol levels, and helps you feel genuinely calm³.

2. Boosts creativity

Ever notice how your best ideas come when you're in the shower or taking a walk? That's because your brain does its most creative work when it's not forced to focus. Boredom and stillness allow your mind to make unexpected connections and solve problems you've been stuck on.

3. Improves focus and productivity

Ironically, doing nothing makes you better at doing something. Regular rest prevents mental fatigue, helping you stay sharp when you actually need to work. Think of it as recharging your battery rather than running it down to zero every day.

4. Reconnects you with yourself

Constant busyness is often a form of avoidance. When you slow down and do nothing, you create space to check in with how you're actually feeling. This self-awareness is crucial for mental health and making conscious choices.

How to embrace doing nothing

If the idea of doing nothing makes you anxious, start small. Here's how to ease into it:

1. Schedule it in

Sounds counterintuitive, but if you're used to filling every moment, you might need to literally block out time for rest. Put "do nothing" in your calendar and treat it like any other commitment.

2. Start with 10 minutes

You don't need to spend an hour staring at the ceiling. Begin with 10 minutes of intentional nothingness. Sit somewhere comfortable, don't pick up your phone, and just be.

3. Remove distractions

Put your phone in another room. Turn off the TV. Remove the temptation to fill the silence with noise or scrolling. The point is to let your mind wander without external input.

4. Let go of guilt

This is the hardest part. When you start doing nothing, your brain will likely tell you that you should be doing something productive. Notice that thought, acknowledge it, and let it pass. Rest is productive in its own right.

5. Try different forms of stillness

Doing nothing doesn't have to mean sitting motionless. You might:

• Lie in the grass and watch the sky
• Sit with a cup of tea and just drink it
• Listen to the sounds around you
• Take a slow walk with no destination in mind

The key is removing purpose and productivity from the activity.

Making space for rest in daily life

You don't need to carve out hours every day for doing nothing. Even small moments of intentional rest can make a difference:

• Morning ritual: Before checking your phone, spend five minutes sitting with your coffee or tea. No reading, no planning, just drinking.
• Lunch break reset: Instead of eating at your desk, sit outside for 10 minutes after eating. Don't scroll, just observe.
• Evening wind-down: Create a buffer between work and evening activities. Sit on your sofa or in your garden for 15 minutes without any agenda.
• Weekend slowness: Designate one morning where you don't make plans. Wake up without an alarm and let the day unfold without structure.

The conscious choice to rest

In a world that glorifies being busy, choosing to do nothing is radical. It's a conscious decision to prioritise your wellbeing over productivity, to value rest as much as action, and to trust that you're enough without constantly achieving.

The art of doing nothing isn't about becoming unmotivated or unambitious. It's about creating sustainable rhythms in your life where rest and activity balance each other out. When you allow yourself true downtime, you show up more fully for everything else.

So next time you find yourself with a spare moment, resist the urge to fill it. Sit down, do nothing, and remember: rest isn't lazy. It's essential.

Want to explore more ways to live consciously? Discover our guide to Digital Detoxing or learn about The Power of Eating Together.

Sources

1. Immordino-Yang, M. H., et al. (2012). "Rest Is Not Idleness: Implications of the Brain's Default Mode for Human Development and Education." Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7(4), 352-364.
2. McEwen, B. S. (2007). "Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: Central role of the brain." Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873-904.
3. Brosschot, J. F., et al. (2016). "The default response to uncertainty and the importance of perceived safety in anxiety and stress." Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 41, 22-34.