Never ask a busy person to ‘do nothing’ they need to gradually unwind by doing something. It feels strange, awkward, a sense of ‘I should be doing something’ when you go from a hectic life and work pace to finally having time to do, well nothing in particular.
The Dutch have a term for doing nothing, Niksen “literally means to do nothing, to be idle or doing something without any use.
Practicing niksen could be as simple as just hanging around, looking at your surroundings or listening to music “as long as it’s without purpose and not done in order to achieve something or be productive.
Easier said than done if you have a mind that is always busy but there are a number of ways we can enjoy actively relaxing or unwinding to work towards doing nothing.
There’s always something to do, even when we do so-called ‘nothing’ and it may be something you enjoy that is productive, rewarding or interesting that helps you to slow down, yet you are still doing something but it’s what you choose to do rather than what you have to do.
1.Movies and watching Mini-series are a great way to escape your world for another, it keeps your mind occupies while you body rests and often you learn something too.
2.Reading anything but work related material is always a great way of switching off from one world for another. The best thing about reading a good book is that you can leave it and come back to it for as long or as little as you have time for. It’s active rest for the mind but also passive rest for your body.
3.Photography is a creative way to slow an active mind as it’s a completely different way to focus on something and usually involves exploring new places and a lot of creativity.
4.Exercise is not only good for your body but just as good for your mind especially if you spend time outdoors in nature when exercising. Exercise is one of the best ways to switch off a busy mind but you can’t take work calls on your mobile, switch it off so you can switch off too.
5.Cooking, if you enjoy it has the benefits of making delicious food as a result of spending time creating a meal or stocking up the freezer with supplies for busier times ahead. Not only is cooking saving time from preparing meals when time is tight but is save you money and thinking of what to eat and hopefully you enjoy making health nutritious food to benefit your body as well.
6.Gardening not only looks great when you do it but is also physical exercise but most of all it’s tapping into nature and therefore grounding for you. Connecting to the earth is physically and mentally balancing for your body through the magnetic energy from the ground. Surrounding yourself with nature revitalises the body, mind and soul.
7.Journaling or Writing anything other than work is becoming a popular activity recommend by lifestyle coaches. Writing down your thought and feelings can often help you with managing your life and work load as well as tracking where you have gained improvements and goals you want to achieve. Writing it down helps unload your mind and can often help your sort whats needed to move forward.
8.Day Spa treatments are of course an ideal way to relax. Book in for some selfcare as a necessity to be able to manage all you do in life. It’s not pampering it’s deserving for someone who works hard and it’s a necessity to maintain your health and wellness.
If your mind is always busy choose a treatment that includes sensory experiences, such as a body treatment as this distracts your mind and brings you into the present moment. While massage is always considered relaxing it can be hard to stop a busy mind when you are laying on a treatment bed but having a body treatment first helps with deeper relaxation and a calmer mind.
Enjoy some regular active relaxation to slow down your mind.
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