https://www.newsweek.com/what-niksen-dutch-lifestyle-trend-doing-nothing-1853433 It's the start of a new year, with plenty of fresh goals to set and resolutions to keep. But before you hit the ground running, it's worth noting that less is more when it comes to productivity. Working all the time and hustling to climb the career ladder while trying to keep up with your busy social calendar, you may find that you can't wait to do absolutely nothing on a rare free day. Experts told Newsweek that doing nothing may be the "most productive" and "best thing" we can do for our lives in the long run. Niksen, a lifestyle practice that embraces inactivity, is a champion of precisely that. Niksen is a concept that translates to "doing nothing or idleness," Dr. Cassandra Boduch, a board-certified psychiatrist based in Texas, told Newsweek. It gained traction as a response to the fast-paced, stressful nature of modern living. Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist Chandler Chang told Newsweek: "It makes sense that the Niksen concept has become so popular because so many people are experiencing stress and burnout." The American Psychological Association's 2021 Work and Well-being Survey found that burnout and stress were reported to be at "all-time highs across professions," with 79 percent of employees having experienced work-related stress in the month before the survey was conducted. What Is Niksen and How Did It Begin? The term is derived from the Dutch language, where "niks" means "nothing," certified hypnotherapist Lynnette Price, who practices Niksen, told Newsweek. Niksen is one of Price's favorite coping skills. "It involves embracing moments of purposeless inactivity or taking a break from the constant busyness of life," said Price, the founder and CEO of MoodWellth, a digital mental wellness company. While its specific origins may not be pinpointed to a particular date or event, Niksen can be traced to Dutch culture where the importance of a balanced lifestyle and "stepping back to rejuvenate and refocus" are emphasized, Jeanne Nangle, a well-being expert and life/executive coach, told Newsweek. "In a world where being busy is often glorified, Niksen offers a refreshing counter-narrative," said Nangle, author of The Thought Store: 8 Simple Thinking Habits for Work and Life. Niksen is a practice that instead "celebrates idleness and relaxation" and is "distinct from laziness or procrastination," the author said. What Does Practicing Niksen Entail? Niksen involves taking "intentional, unstructured breaks" to relax without a specific purpose, with the idea being to "let your mind wander freely," said Boduch, the chief medical officer at PsychPlus. Practicing Niksen can look different for everyone. For some, this might mean staring out a window, sitting in a park or just being still. For others, it may entail engaging in activities like daydreaming, walking in nature, people watching, or watching the sunrise or sunset. But the key is to be present without a specific goal or agenda. "Letting go of the need for productivity or achievement during these moments is fundamental to embracing the essence of Niksen," Price said. What Are the Benefits of Practicing Niksen? Nangle said Niksen provides "a gentle reminder that sometimes, doing nothing is the most productive thing we can do." Price agreed, noting that "it turns out that doing nothing might be one of the best things we can do for our minds and bodies in the long run." Reduces Stress and Anxiety Marissa Alert, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Boston, told Newsweek that when we intentionally disengage from the urge to constantly "do" and "achieve," we allow ourselves to truly relax and recharge. "This triggers the body's relaxation response, which leads to lower cortisol [stress hormone] levels, helps to restore our energy and resilience, and contributes to a sense of calm and peace," she explained. Chang, the founder of Therapy Lab, said Niksen is an excellent example of behavioral exposure, "which is one of the most effective ways to address and reduce anxiety." "Exposures work like this–when we notice that a strong emotion is driving us to behave in a compulsive way," Chang said. Anxiety can lead to overworking and burnout, and we can intervene by doing the opposite behavior. "By intentionally doing nothing, we can disrupt that anxiety-driven habit of working to excess. In the short term, doing too much can feel like a relief to that anxiety. But, for long-term happiness and sharper focus and energy, taking a break and doing nothing sometimes is far more powerful," the Los Angeles-based psychologist said. Optimizes Brain Health Engaging in Niksen can also enhance "problem-solving skills and overall cognitive flexibility," according to Price. "Research suggests that a moment of idleness contributes to the default mode network (DMN) activation in the brain, associated with self-reflection and the integration of information," she said. The DMN refers to parts of the brain that are "typically suppressed when an individual is focused on external stimuli," noted an August 2023 study in Neuron. But without attention to external stimuli, "the DMN switches or 'defaults' to internally focused thought processes, such as self-reflection, daydreaming, mind wandering, recall of personal experiences, and envisioning the future," the study said. Practicing Niksen can help maintain "optimal brain health by promoting neural plasticity and preventing mental fatigue," Price said. Neural or brain plasticity is "the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli," according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Boosts Creativity and Innovative Potential Alert noted that when we detach from the pressure to be productive, doing nothing allows the mind to wander freely. She explained: "This state of unfocused awareness fosters creativity, as it enables the subconscious to process information and generate new ideas without feeling constrained by what seems logical or practical. This free flow of thought can lead to unexpected insights and solutions, boosting our innovative potential." Boduch added that practicing Niksen can allow your mind to reset and promote "better focus when returning to tasks."
Niksen reminds me of the benefits of meditation. I believe that both of these practices can help relax the mind and reduce stress.