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.
The Mental Health Benefits of Doing Absolutely Nothing.
Rest is often mistaken for laziness, but it is actually a radical act of self-preservation. How many times have you thought, "You're wasting time," while sitting still, scrolling aimlessly, or lying on your bed staring at the ceiling? We live in a culture that shames rest, glorifies hustle, and treats constant busyness as a badge of honour. Productivity is too often equated with personal worth, and even boredom is seen as something to fix immediately with screens or stimulation. In this kind of environment, choosing to rest becomes a powerful way to protect your well-being. And here’s the truth we’re slowly remembering: doing absolutely nothing can be one of the most restorative things you do for your mental health.
How Meditation Benefits Your Mind and Body
While meditation is well known as a technique to reduce stress and anxiety, it may also help enhance your mood, promote healthy sleep patterns, and boost cognitive skills.
Press Pause: The Health Benefits of Doing Nothing
by Erlanger Marketing 17/4/23 HealthyU
Maybe you aren’t ferrying the kids to and from school or extracurricular activities. Maybe your “commute” to work right now only takes you from the bedroom to the living room. It’s true — our lives are far from the norm right now.
Mindfulness for Your Health
Paying attention to what’s going on right this second can be hard. We often spend more time thinking about what’s coming up in the future. Or dwelling on things in the past we can’t change. We can miss out on experiencing the present.
Why Doing “Nothing” Is Doing Something Good for Yourself
by Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Robyne Hanley-Dafoe 3/2/25 Psychology Today
It’s easy to get caught up in all the “doing” of life and leave little time for simply “being.” Yet, the reality is that we need those pauses: We need to rest, recover, and allow ourselves to be unproductive without guilt. It’s time to permit ourselves to do “nothing” more often.
The Legit Mental Health Benefits of Doing Nothing, According to Science
[https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/legit-mental-health-benefits-doing-111418368.html by Karla Walsh 4/8/22 Yahoo Life
When we cover the latest wellness news here at EatingWell, we often share little actionable nuggets to hopefully inspire you to make tomorrow a tiny bit healthier than today. Recently, we've dished about the big wellness gains you can score from everything from little healthy habits like drinking another glass of green tea, adding a spoonful of cocoa powder to your oatmeal and eating another serving or two of colorful foods like peaches and peas.
Five reasons why we should all learn how to do nothing
by Oliver Burkeman 9/1/15 The Guardian
The idea that “doing nothing” is a skill to be learned might seem bewildering at first. Surely it’s just a question of stopping doing anything else? Yet that’s far easier said than done. It’s long been recognised – by everyone from the Buddha to John Keats – that “doing” can be a kind of compulsion, an addiction we only fail to acknowledge as such because society praises us for it.
The Benefits of Doing Nothing
More and more of us find ourselves unable to juggle overwhelming demands and maintain a seemingly unsustainable pace. Paradoxically, the best way to get more done may be to spend more time doing less,” reports the New York Times. “A new and growing body of multidisciplinary research shows that strategic renewal — including daytime workouts, short afternoon naps, longer sleep hours, more time away from the office and longer, more frequent vacations — boosts productivity, job performance and, of course, health
The Art of Doing Nothing: Unlocking the Benefits of a “Do Nothing Day”
I used to get caught up in the hustle-and-grind culture we live in. I never took time to relax or recharge, and as a result, I felt burnt out and overwhelmed. That’s when a friend suggested that I try a “do nothing day.” At first, I was skeptical. How could doing nothing be beneficial? But as I researched the concept and read about the benefits, I decided to give it a try.
Taking Breaks Is Good for Your Brain — Here’s Why
by Emily Boynton 18/4/22 UW Medicine
“Many people don’t often have a choice in how much rest is available to them. The way society is set up, we treat rest as a privilege, not a right,” says Julia Kocian, a licensed clinical social worker and UW Medicine Graduate Medical Education mental health counselor.
Why Doing Nothing Might Be the Solution to (Some) of Your Problems
by Marlena Angermann 28/3/22 UTOPIA
The idea of doing nothing may seem like a radical approach, especially in today’s rise-and-grind culture — but truly doing nothing is important. With the infinite options in restaurants, hobbies, jobs, vacations, TV shows and more, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by choice. We are constantly making decisions and processing information, which in turn exhausts our brains. Now more than ever, we must remind ourselves to rest because it’s important for your brain to get downtime. This can help boost productivity, concentration, creativity, and overall health and happiness.
The Benefits of Doing Nothing
In today’s fast-paced world, the concept of doing nothing often carries a negative connotation, being unfairly associated with laziness or inefficiency. However, embracing periods of inactivity can actually lead to numerous mental and physical health benefits. This article explores the advantages of allowing oneself to take breaks and simply do nothing.
Why Time Off Is So Good for Your Health
by Quinn Phillips 4/10/23 EVERYDAY HEALTH
A study found that a record 768 million vacation days went unused in 2018, with 55 percent of workers reporting they didn’t take all the paid time off their job offered. (The study was sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association, a national nonprofit organization.)
Do something good for yourself — nothing
by Lisa Selin Davis 21/10/21 CNN
The chance to slow down and experience a smaller, sparer life was for some a welcome reprieve from the overscheduled, harried and often overwhelmed version of the Before Times.
The Surprising Benefits of Doing Nothing
by Yasmin Rodriguez 6/7/24 Medium
In a world that glorifies busyness and productivity, the idea of doing nothing seems almost sacrilegious. We are constantly encouraged to fill our time with activities, achievements, and goals. But what if I told you that doing nothing could be one of the most beneficial things you could do for your well-being? Here’s how embracing the art of doing nothing has transformed my life, and why you might want to give it a try.
About Sleep
Quality sleep means you are getting uninterrupted and refreshing sleep. Getting quality sleep is not just about how many hours you sleep, but how well you sleep.
Health Benefits of Sleep
by Jay Vera Summer 22/7/25 SLEEP DOCTOR
Like eating well, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly, getting enough quality sleep is essential for your overall health. Researchers are still uncovering exactly why we sleep, but one thing’s clear: A full night’s rest delivers a wide range of mental and physical health benefits.
Better sleep: Why it’s important for your health and tips to sleep soundly
Sleep has become a precious commodity – we love it and need it, but rarely get enough of it. Busy schedules, kids, anxiety and technology can all get in the way of a good night sleep.
Why Sleep Matters: Benefits of Sleep
It may seem obvious that sleep is beneficial. Even without fully grasping what sleep does for us, we know that going without sleep for too long makes us feel terrible, and that getting a good night's sleep can make us feel ready to take on the world. Scientists have gone to great lengths to fully understand sleep's benefits. In studies of humans and other animals, they have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions.
