Let’s face it – doing nothing feel uncomfortable. The moment things get quiet, I immediately reach for my phone, open another tab on my laptop or get up to start a chore I’ve been putting off. The more silence I have, the more I feel like I’m wasting time. Time that could be used to fix some issue at home, work on a side project, or even a side hustle. However, for most of human history, moments of doing nothing was absolutely normal. People sat out on porches and stared out of windows without any real focus in mind.

Today, our schedules are packed to the brim with lists of projects to complete. We are constantly barraged with messages, emails and phone calls. There is a constant pressure to be productive. But our brains do truly need some empty space sometimes. Doing nothing is not laziness, it’s part of how our minds recover, process information and stay healthy.

When we truly take the time to rest, something amazing happens. Our brain begins to organize thoughts, memories and experiences from the day. This is what’s called the brain’s “default mode“. When you take time away from being constantly focused on things, our mind can start sorting through information and connecting ideas. It’s like when you can’t remember a word, but it suddently pops into your head while you’re doing the dishes. Your mind is at rest, and can start figuring out things that it couldn’t under pressure.

In modern society, with all the stresses from work, our brains are constantly active. Every spare moment is used for scrolling, notifications or squeezing in some form of entertainment. This can easily lead to mental fatigue. I’m sure you’ve had days when you’ve felt physically exhausted without having done anything physical. With time, your attention becomes weaker and you’ll find it harder to focus on important tasks. Striving to be more productive eventually leads to the complete opposite.

Surprisingly, doing nothing can help you regulate stress. When your brain is always stimulated, your body is forced to always be alert. You’re constantly listening for the next message or reminder to pop up. We were never build to have constant stimulation, so it puts an immense strain on our nervous systems. Taking time away from your screens can allow the brain to slow down its pace and return to a more relaxed state.

You’ll find that doing nothing feels very strange at first. Your brain will likely resist it at first. You’ll feel restless and will instantly start thinking of things that need to be done. We’ve trained ourselves to live in this constant state of stimulation.

Relearning How to Relax

A good way to start relearning how to relax is to start taking small breaks between your activities. Instead of picking up your phone while queuing or sitting on your couch, take a few minutes to simply breathe and relax. It doesn’t have to be very long. Take 2 minutes to simply let your thoughts wander. These little breaks will slowly remind your brain that it’s okay to slow down.

Another great option is to start taking walks. These shouldn’t be walks with a set destination in mind. If you’re walking to the store, you’re guaranteed to start thinking about what you need to buy. Head off to a park or a hiking trail. Look at your surroundings, the clouds, the birds. Simply be present.

At night, try some evening without phones or TVs. Sit with a cup of tea and some soft music, maybe even some candlelight. This is a great way to help your brain rest after a busy day of constant stimulation.

It Matters

Doing nothing looks and feels unproductive on the surface, but it’s crucially important in helping you achieve the things you want in life. It restores attention, helps reduce stress and gives your brain the space it needs to start thinking clearly again.

In a world that seems to only reward constant activity, choosing to do nothing will feel strange. But as more and more people crash under constant pressure, sometimes the most helpful thing you can do for yourself is to do “nothing”.