The Art of Doing Nothing
Disconnect! Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter - getting lost online can drain your energy and hours on social media becomes a waste of time. The ‘sweetness of doing nothing’ is the exact opposite. If disconnecting entirely for a day sounds like an impossible task, start in small doses. Turn your devices off an hour earlier each night or enjoy your coffee in the morning without staring at your phone or iPad.
Get Rid of Your Guilt: We often measure the success of our day by how much we got done and what we accomplished. Getting rid of guilt about your "to-do" list or what you "should" be doing, will help you fully experience the “sweet art of doing nothing.’
Turn Off Your TV: Watching TV can be a stress reliever for some people but in excess amounts it robs you of your time. Give up TV for an hour and replace it with a walk around the neighbourhood and connect with nature.
Have a Day of Rest: This is an important ritual that many religions still observe, whether it's Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Try declaring one day of the week (or month) as a ‘do-nothing day’. Skip the chores, ignore your work emails, stay home, enjoy your family, and savour the day.
Revisit Naptime: Research has shown that naps are not just for toddlers. A daily snooze can reduce the risk of heart attack and lower stress levels. A nap doesn't have to be at your home or office. You can go to a quiet park and close your eyes, listen to the birds and smell the grass. This quiet moment of nothing can be profoundly healing.
Skip a Few Chores: You don't have to load the dishwasher the minute everyone is done eating. After dinner, skip the dishes and watch the moonrise, stare at the stars or enjoy a dessert. Taking a break can show us that the earth will not stop spinning if we pause the tasks that face us.
With moments of ‘doing nothing’ your overall stress levels will be reduced and you will slow down and look at the world in a different light.
It is at these times that you will begin to appreciate the simple things in life.