We recently wrapped up a wonderfully relaxed holiday break—a staycation that my family truly cherished. It wasn’t just about the festive activities like unwrapping gifts, enjoying holiday films, and indulging in delicious treats. We also embraced a lot of downtime, where I found myself simply lounging on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. It was blissful.
What struck me during this period of idleness was how often I felt compelled to rationalize it. I kept thinking about all the chores I could tackle instead. Shouldn’t I be tidying up the kitchen? Maybe it’s time to check in with family? Or perhaps I should prepare for the upcoming work week?
I often nudged my kids to create lasting memories together, suggesting board games or cookie baking, while they preferred lounging and chatting or just zoning out. Once we settled into this unstructured time, we became surprisingly adept at it!
As the winter break wound down, I stumbled upon an intriguing concept that resonated with our experience: niksen, a Dutch term that translates to “doing nothing.” This concept aligns with other Scandinavian philosophies, such as hygge from Denmark and lagom from Sweden, both of which emphasize simplicity and moderation for a fulfilling life.
Niksen isn’t a highly structured practice like meditation, where you focus on breathing and clearing your mind. Instead, it’s about embracing the art of stillness without strict guidelines. You can simply put your phone aside and enjoy a moment of calm. According to Laura Green, a mental health expert, she often recommends niksen to her clients who find traditional meditation challenging. “It’s about finding peace in the chaos,” she explains.
Although niksen lacks formal instructions, experts suggest that it’s most effective when practiced intentionally and regularly. Productivity specialist Mark Wilson advises integrating niksen into your routine, particularly during times when you feel mentally drained. These breaks can enhance your overall productivity, as they replenish your mental energy.
Olivia Hart, author of the upcoming book Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing, emphasizes the health benefits of this practice. “Our culture generally discourages moments of stillness, which can negatively impact our mental well-being,” she notes. In a world dominated by smartphone distractions, it’s easy to confuse relaxation with mindlessly scrolling through screens.
Hart mentions that incorporating niksen can help curb our dependence on technology. “Learning to sit quietly can reduce the urge to grab our devices for distraction,” she adds.
Clearly, we could all benefit from incorporating more niksen into our lives. But how can busy parents manage to find time for this when life is constantly hectic? The beauty of niksen is its flexibility; you can practice it while waiting for your child to fall asleep or during a quiet moment at the park.
You can even involve your children. Try suggesting a family “do nothing” time on the couch and see how they respond; it might just turn into a delightful experience. Ultimately, modeling niksen for your kids is crucial, as it teaches them the value of downtime.
What I adore most about niksen is its inherent lack of pressure. It’s a reminder that if you find yourself lounging around or daydreaming, you are not being unproductive. Instead, you are engaging in an activity that’s commendable and beneficial for your well-being. So here’s to embracing more moments of niksen in our busy lives.
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In summary, niksen encourages us to slow down and embrace the art of doing nothing, which can lead to improved mental health and productivity. By modeling this practice, especially to our children, we can cultivate a healthier approach to our busy lives.