Why Doing Nothing Can Be a Good Thing
When freedom feels like jail, tell yourself it’s ok.
“How very, very tired I am with this hidden battle for my own thoughts, the burden of counting, the work it takes to hide it.”―Hanna Alkaf
I don’t know about you, but I’m addicted to a drug called getting-things-done most days. I strive hard to achieve goals every day — be it a small thing like making my bed or writing this article. When I take my to-do list and tick off the items, I experience the highest level of accomplishment.
This is how we are advised to live from our childhood. We are asked to make each day count. Every minute, we tend to put on a new hat and work our way through the task.
But I have noticed that this bizarre habit becomes problematic when I start to feel overwhelmed and worried when I have no tasks to complete. My mind keeps on circling around a thought which says, ‘Am I wasting my time? Am I being useless?’
Though having nothing to do may seem like freedom and joy, our brain perceives it differently. For most of us, doing nothing is a new concept. At least, for me. Though there is absolutely nothing to do, I tend to feel crazy with the tension of not doing anything.
Do I need help? Anyway…
When you have accomplished the tasks you wish to, there is a dopamine release inside you. This dopamine production increases your heart rate and blood pressure. This release also motivates one to be more productive. Hence a cycle of productivity is formed, which is addictive in most cases.
Though this addiction might seem like an advantage (because, let’s face it — we all want to finish the tasks like a superhero that we dream of being), doing too much of anything can negatively affect us.
But trust me, I have realised that when I decide to rest and give my mind some time to relax, I become more productive.
You’re giving your brain and body a chance to restore and recharge.
Also, at times, doing nothing might make us feel invaluable compared to those who are busying themselves with tasks. But believing such myths might make affect our quality of life. And it can certainly destroy our health, mentally and physically.
Here’s how doing nothing can help you.
1. You will learn how to relax.
We tell ourselves that it is very vital to have a busy schedule — we allow ourselves to be bombarded with endless notifications, meetings, and tasks — which, when accomplished, will give us satisfaction. We live in this loop with no plans of ever getting out. We don’t acknowledge that this costs us badly. When we let ourselves go gaga with deadlines and expectations, we develop addictions to food, alcohol, and questionable chemicals to escape reality and to quench that thirst for satisfaction.
“Let’s loosen up some time and take a break to re-calibrate our life. We need no endless over-thinking, though. Let’s just connect the dots, set the scene, and steam ahead.”
― Erik Pevernagie
My advice is, take a day off and do absolutely nothing. Climb up on your bed and declutter your head. Look around and appreciate your life. Ponder over thoughts that bring meaning and joy to your life. Release the weights of worry off your shoulder and breathe in the fresh air of nothingness.
2. Less is better
“It’s surprising how much free time and productivity you gain when you lose the busyness in your mind.”
― Brittany Burgunder
All the successful people in this world will tell you one thing — it is essential to take a break from life from time to time. It helps you rejuvenate and build up creativity inside you. Add doing nothing to your calendar, and you will see how you will easily escape from the chaos. This chaos was slowly eating your health. Hence you need that push.
Sweden, which has earned the reputation of one of the happiest countries globally, works on a simple word called Logam, which means, “Not too little. Not too much. Just right”.
Take a chill pill from time to time by slowing things down in your life.
3. It helps you understand yourself.
“Your real self may be hiding somewhere, look for it within, when you find yourself, you can freely be what you want to be.” — Michael Bassey Johnson
When you sit back and take a walk away from your to-do list, you have lots of time to find out what your mind and heart relish and long for.
Maybe it’s reading a book, watching a documentary, or writing. Perhaps you enjoy cooking or taking long walks. You might also want to look within and understand yourself. You will start to think more deeply and clearly. And who knows, you might awaken your spiritual journey.
Whatever your do-nothing companion might be, make sure it is not draining your energy. Choose something you love and do it with all your heart.
4. Go with the flow
“The more you go with the flow of life and surrender the outcome to God, and the less you seek constant clarity, the more you will find those fabulous things start to show up in your life.”― Mandy Hale
The challenge of submitting to God has been a journey that has drained me at times because we don’t easily accept reality. The most challenging thing a person learns in life is going with the flow. We do not understand its value and fight hard to make things go our way. And when it doesn’t, we are unsatisfied.
Your body and mind need rest from overthinking and overdoing. It deserves it. Acknowledge your hard work, and then permit yourself to do absolutely nothing. Take a nap, paint a picture, read a book, or curl up with your favourite blanket — whatever feels easy and cosy.
And just accept wherever you are and whatever you are currently. And in a few years, everything will change for the better.
5. Get outside
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
— Lao Tzu
Get out of the four walls and see how your mind rejuvenates. Once you get some light exercise or a walk, your mind feels fresh and happy. By doing this, you inhale the freshness of nature and get some physical activity that your body needs. When you are physically okay, your mental health is uplifted.
Or go to your favourite coffee shop and treat yourself to some munchies and a hot chocolate. This change will motivate you to do something else, something new and exciting. You will start to appreciate the beauty that is outside the walls of your home.
I hope amidst all the goal-chasing and task-completing chaos, we don’t forget to smile and live a fruitful life.
Blessings and happiness.
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