Honestly, when was the last time you enjoyed lying on the couch, staring at the ceiling, and doing absolutely nothing?
Wouldn’t it be great if you had more moments with only you, your thoughts, and not a single grain of guilt in the room?
Well, then I have great news for you. Lazy moments are actually good for your mind.
But you need to prepare and execute them like a pro…
What is “Doing Nothing” really?
Doing nothing is much harder than most people think. It is often confused with sleeping during the day or leisure activities. But what it really means is that our bodies do nothing and that we give our brain a chance to wander.
So, doing nothing totally differs from:
- watching a TV series or reading a book.
- gathering with friends to enjoy a drink or a meal.
- scrolling on your phone or playing a video game.
You see, in these examples, someone is still DOING something that distracts their brain.
Many people find it uncomfortable when they have nothing at hands.
- They get bored.
- Or guilt takes over. That’s normal because society wants us to be ambitious. And that implies being productive – or at least busy – all day long.
- Or they believe they are wasting their time.
- Some people are not used to listening to their own thoughts.
And yet…
Mastering the art of doing nothing has benefits.
Let’s zoom in on the advantages before I share what I do to get in the right mood…
Why “doing nothing at all” is good?
You might think “doing nothing” means being completely idle, but it’s more about giving your brain a much-needed break from stressful activities.
Doing nothing is the mental equivalent of a spa day.
No deadlines, no pressure, just time to unwind and relax.
Benefit #1: Recharging your brain
Total downtime allows your brain to recharge and get ready for the next big challenge.
I am not making that up.
There is a scientific explanation, but I won’t bore you with the details. Here is how it works:
Our brain has different modes. When we are doing nothing, it switches to the “default mode network” (DMN).
In that state, we can
- daydream and trigger inspiration
- think about the future
- make sense of experiences
- make connections between the dots and that can result in creative solutions
Reading tip: Some of the greatest inventors and thinkers had lazy habits.
Benefit #2: Relaxing your body
Remember the definition from above of doing nothing? Besides giving your brain a break, you also give your body a good rest.
But it is not the same as when you are sleeping or taking a power nap during the day.
Relaxation reduces stress levels and increases happiness.
A totally relaxed body has a positive effect on your mind. And the reverse.
After taking a break, you will feel more energized and have a clear head to tackle your next tasks or solve problems.
Now when you know that doing nothing can turn you into a more happy and productive person, it’s time to learn how to prepare and plan your downtime.
Yes, you read that right.
You have to plan your lazy moments to keep them under control.
How to embrace “No Activity” moments without pressure and guilt?
To master the art of doing nothing, you can follow the steps below.
Step 1: Plan your downtime moments
It may sound weird, but foresee a time slot in your agenda to do nothing. This will ensure that you have moments for yourself.
You could, for example, plan 5 minutes every day. Or plan a longer period during the weekend.
Step 2: Remind yourself about the “why”
The moment you feel guilty about doing nothing, you will look for distractions.
Don’t give in to them because any activity will undo the effect of a break. So remind yourself that this doing nothing moment is for your own good.
Step 3: Switch off all devices
Keep your phone out of reach or switch on the flight mode. Switch off music and the television. Remember that you are giving your brain some freedom to do what it is best at: producing thoughts.
Step 4: Find a quiet environment
You can do nothing inside or outdoors. The best is to pick a place that is not too busy. Otherwise, you will be easily distracted by, for example, shouting kids or crazy drivers.
A park is a great place for cloud gazing. A hammock is a safe choice too.
Step 5: Let your thoughts go
At this point, you will probably feel uncomfortable. That’s absolutely normal. Don’t stop doing nothing. After a few minutes, your thoughts are freed from daily worries and duties.
That’s it.
Start small and adapt on the go.
Before you know, you will master the art of doing nothing.
Before you don’t do anything, remember this…
Doing nothing and being lazy are not exactly the same.
But they can have the same energizing effect for your mind and body.
Now, enjoy the mini holidays for your brain.
I hope it will do you good as it did for these famous artists that knew how to chill.
Now I stop, because the sky is perfect for some good old cloud gazing…
