WHEN was the last time you sat back and did nothing? A little mindless indulgence, a daydream or two can help make you a little bit happier.
Block out your morning schedule. Sit on your couch. Put your feet up. Gaze into the ceiling and let your mind wander. Do nothing.
When on vacation, resist the urge to pack your days with wall-to-wall itineraries. Checking those must-see sites is indeed an experience, but so will hanging out idly by the beach, watching the waves.
Go to a café, order your favorite drink. Resist the urge to hook up to wi-fi. Take in the scenery, people-watch. Enjoy the sensuality of doing nothing.
“What a waste of time!,” one may think. I think otherwise. After all, you’re spending time with yourself, aren’t you? Making time for yourself is hardly wasted time. By doing nothing, you connect with yourself quietly, meaningfully.
Do you find it hard to do nothing? Perhaps you are feeling too restless? Take baby steps. Here are some doing-nothing ideas. If you have:
1 minute: Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Focus on your breathing and let your stress melt away with each exhale.
10 minutes: Take a slow-motion bath. Rushing off to work allows us no time for smooth carefree movements in the shower or tub, so use these 10 minutes for some slow-motion shampooing and body pampering.
30 minutes: Go for a coffee break. Sip your drink and enjoy its sweetness, its bitterness. Gaze absent-mindedly into your cup or at the scenery. If you have a garden at home, take a chair and sit back with a glass of lemonade. Take in the fresh air and good sun, just be quiet.
1 hour: Take a walk. Walk aimlessly. See where your feet take you. If you’d rather not walk, grab a light comedy film and pop it in your DVD. Throw in some popcorn for some absent-minded but enjoyable chewing.
1 day: Do not plan anything. See where your day takes you. If you find yourself staying home painting your nails or listening to music all day, well and good.
During any of these moments, do not think of anything else! Indulge in the nothing-ness of the moment. You’ll feel lighter, calmer, more connected with yourself. And doesn’t that make you happier? There IS happiness in doing nothing at all.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:02 pm
[...] Follow the link to her blog, simply named “Happy Nest” here. [...]
April 17th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Hi,
I really appreciate my life today! doing things that i want,and doing nothing when i get home from the office,is really a treasure for me! while resting, either, sitting while stretching my legs, and staring nowwhere, with a glass of water in my hand; or lying in bed & standing my legs on the wall,while listening to music ,is my everyday routine, to keep me connected to myself and enjoying being alone in the house… its absolutely relaxing…
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 am
i like this idea … once in a while it’s very healthy but too much is lethargic … sit and move on after …
March 25th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Happiness of doing nothing is something new to me but all you’ve said is indeed true. My favorite thing to do is to daydream when am alone. Thinking those unattainable dreams to come true, being a most handsome man in the world, taking revenge to my enemies which in reality I can’t. All of these daydreams suit and relax me and make me happy in some way. But I have limit myself though not to live in all these fantasy because it’s not healthy.
-Jan
February 29th, 2008 at 6:44 am
This a simple but brilliant idea of relaxation.