Sleep and Rest
From WikiDemocracy
6 Health Benefits Of Taking Time To Do Nothing
by Henry Ford Health Staff 23/12/22 Henry Ford Health
Periods of doing nothing shouldn’t be confused with laziness or lack of drive. Instead, Dr. MacLean advises recognizing the mental health benefits of daydreaming, which include:
Aiding problem-solving: Breaks improve your ability to think logically, problem solve and make decisions.
Boosting creativity: When you allow your mind to wander, you’re more likely to think of an innovative idea. After all, Sir Isaac Newton’s theory about gravity was inspired after he observed an apple falling while just walking in an orchard.
Improving learning: Have you ever felt overwhelmed after listening to a long lecture or reading for hours? Taking a break gives your brain time to process, consolidate and store the information you’ve learned.
Increasing productivity: Research has found that taking breaks improves concentration and attention, making you even more efficient and productive when you return to a task.
Inspiring kindness: Taking time for reflection can inspire you to look beyond your own needs and help others. Being alone can spark a search for a larger sense of purpose. A break can prompt you to try meaningful activities that extend beyond your own life.
Uplifting mood: Everyone can feel overwhelmed by work, school and family responsibilities. But resting your mind helps you recharge and regulate your emotions. It also allows you to find pleasure in idleness and savor an experience.
The Benefits of Doing Nothing
Technology has enabled people everywhere to do more with less effort, yet most people find themselves working just as much as ever – and it could be hurting them more than they know.
Why 'doing nothing, intentionally' is good for us: The rise of the slow living movement
How does the idea of doing nothing for a year sound? No work, no emails, no career progression, no striving or achieving or being productive. For many of us, such a thought might once have brought its own anxiety attack – surely, work is status, earning money is achievement, and being busy is a brag? But these days, a year of nothing is more likely to sound dreamy, even aspirational – there has been, as they say, a vibe shift.
Doing Absolutely Nothing Has Mental Health Benefits
by Francine Toder Ph.D. 23/7/22 Psychology Today
As a professional woman, I’d been striving all of my life. Back in the day, accomplishing my goals required herculean effort—or sneaking in a back door entrance.
The Actual Health Benefits Of Doing 'Nothing'
by Unknown 19/2/20 Intermountain Health
In today’s world, we’re accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We gladly take the time to charge our phone’s battery, but disregard recharging our own. The second boredom strikes, we pick up our phones and scroll through social media or turn on the TV and start binge-watching a show we’ve already seen. Doing nothing has become a thing of the past, which means people are experiencing burnout at record-breaking speeds.
Do Less. It’s Good for You
by Jamie Ducharme 10/6/24 TIME
You take a vacation day, but get distracted by the thought of your work inbox filling up. Or you sit down to watch a movie and immediately feel guilty about all the tasks still on your to-do list. Or perhaps you splurge on a massage, but barely enjoy it because your thoughts are racing the entire time.
The benefits of doing nothing
If you’re like most people, you can’t remember a time when you weren’t doing at least two things. We listen to books or podcasts while commuting to work. We watch TV or look at our phones while we eat. We’re working, and on the phone, and probably trying to figure out how to cram a third activity into that moment.
Taking it slow
by Matthew Solan 1/11/22 Harvard Health Publishing
"Slow living isn't about doing less, but doing more with greater focus and purpose and at the right speed," says Laura Malloy, director of the Successful Aging Program at Harvard-affiliated Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine. "It's about enjoying the moments and putting more energy and enjoyment into fewer things."
The Latest Social Media Trend May Help Ease Anxiety, Therapist Says. Here's How to Do It
by Amelia Gioia 21/11/25 TODAY
Niro Feliciano, a psychotherapist specializing in anxiety and author of the new book "All is Calmish," says the challenge is great for practicing being still — which has many health benefits.
The Brilliant Benefits of Doing NOTHING
I shot the video below seven summers ago. The message it shares is as true now as it was then: once in awhile, we all need to embrace doing nothing. And now more than ever, people are beginning to recognize the benefits of doing nothing for stress, creativity, and overall well-being. It’s particularly enjoyable during the lazy, hazy days of summer. As I visit in-laws in Scotland, and bike pack 340 km over the Highlands, on The Badger Divide, I won’t exactly be doing nothing, but since I am on holidays, I figured it’s a great time to reboot this classic.
How (and why) you should embrace the "art of doing nothing"
by Calm's Editorial Team 14/8 Calm
Burned out from always being “on”? It's time to embrace the "art of doing nothing." Learn the surprising science behind the concept, and 9 ways to practice it yourself.
The Importance of Doing Nothing (for at least 20 minutes each day)
by Bing Crosby, Cedric Hardwicke, and William Bendix 10/2/24 Forest Healing
Once upon a time in a quaint little village nestled between rolling hills and babbling brooks, there lived a wise village elder named Master Serene. He was known far and wide for his calm demeanour, his wisdom and his insightful teachings. One day, the villagers gathered around Master Serene, seeking guidance on how to find peace and balance in their hectic lives.
Rest day guilt: a women’s health expert explains the benefits of doing ‘nothing‘
These things may feel relaxing, but they are not forms of rest. And the truth is many of us struggle with doing absolutely nothing, like sitting on a patch of grass in the sun or spending an evening lying on the sofa watching Netflix. Even if you love doing these things at the time, the guilt over not being productive, active or stimulated eventually creeps in.
When Rest Isn’t Lazy: The Mental Health Benefits of Doing Nothing
There’s a strange kind of guilt that creeps in when we stop moving. It shows up on slow afternoons, when the to-do list is long but your energy is gone. It whispers, "You’re wasting time." or "You should be doing something." In a world that glorifies hustle and productivity, rest can feel like failure. But what if rest isn’t laziness? What if, instead, it’s one of the most powerful things we can give ourselves?
Doing Nothing With Your Favorite People Is Really, Really Good for You
When I think back on my best memories with my favorite people, the most mundane things come to mind: yapping around my grandma’s kitchen table for hours after eating; rehashing a night out, piled on a couch with college friends; making dinner in my New York City apartment while chitchatting with my roommate and neighbor.
Give it a Rest: The Health Benefits of Doing Nothing
Maintaining a healthy balance between activity and inactivity is important, and to do that, taking breaks throughout the day is essential. With busyness comes stress, and too much stress can lock your body into a constant “go-mode.” Being constantly stressed for extended periods can end up being harmful to you in the long run.
The Case for Doing Nothing: Why Embracing Downtime is Essential for Mental Health
In a world that often equates busyness with success, the concept of “doing nothing” may sound counterproductive, even indulgent. Yet, the value of downtime is gaining renewed attention for its significant mental health benefits. The constant hustle, the endless to-do lists, and the pressure to be productive can make us feel accomplished, but they can also lead to burnout, fatigue, and a lack of fulfillment. Giving ourselves permission to do nothing isn’t a waste of time; it's a mental health tool that helps us recharge and find balance in a fast-paced world.
