In a world that glorifies hustle culture and optimized productivity, a radical new lifestyle movement is gaining traction: Niksen—the Dutch concept of doing absolutely nothing. No goals, no meditation apps, no “productive” relaxation. Just being.
Why We’ve Forgotten How to Rest
Modern life has turned downtime into another item on our to-do lists:
- “Self-care” now means scheduled bubble baths between work calls
- Even leisure is performance-driven (see: Instagrammable vacations, competitive hobbies)
- The average person spends 4+ hours daily on “passive scrolling”—the opposite of true rest
Science says: Constant low-level stimulation keeps our nervous systems in chronic stress mode, linked to burnout, anxiety, and insomnia.
How to Practice Niksen (Properly)
- Start Small
- Sit by a window with no phone, just watching clouds
- Lie on the floor staring at the ceiling for 5 minutes
- Kill the Guilt
- Repeat: “This is not wasted time—it’s neural maintenance.”
- Remember: Your best ideas often come when you’re idle
- Upgrade Your Environment
- Designate a “Niksen nook” (comfy chair + no devices)
- Use analog distractions like watching a candle flame or petting a dog
The Surprising Benefits
- Enhanced creativity: MIT studies show daydreaming activates the brain’s default mode network (where “aha!” moments happen)
- Better decision-making: Letting your mind wander strengthens cognitive flexibility
- Emotional resilience: Regular mental downtime reduces rumination (Journal of Positive Psychology)
Modern Niksen Hacks
- Train waiting time: Ditch the phone in lines/transit
- Embrace boring tasks: Peel potatoes, fold laundry—mindfully
- Schedule “white space”: Block 15-minute do-nothing slots in your calendar
Why This Isn’t Laziness
Niksen is active non-doing—the intentional practice of:
- Letting your senses guide you (notice smells, textures, sounds)
- Allowing thoughts to drift without judgment
- Resisting the urge to “document the moment”
Try it now: Set a 3-minute timer. Stare at a plant. Don’t “achieve” anything.
🌿 Lifestyle Tip: Pair Niksen with “Forest Bathing” (shinrin-yoku) for a double dose of restorative nothingness. Your overstimulated nervous system will thank you.
💬 How do YOU unwind without an agenda? Share your favorite ways to do nothing in the comments!
