It’s that time again: that odd period between Christmas and New Year when it’s easy to lose track of what day of the week it is. Heavenly for some, unnervingly disorientating for others. Instead of fighting against this seasonal sluggishness, why not learn to enjoy it? This year let’s try to banish the guilt and embrace the art of doing nothing. 

1. Practice, practice, practice

It may sound silly at first but doing nothing, surprisingly, takes practice. We're too used to reaching for our phones, or turning on the television, with the ever-increasing availability of digital content gradually eroding the human concentration span.

So get ready to be uncomfortable, and schedule in a bit of practice. Maybe, at the moment, you can sit in a comfy armchair after lunch for an hour with a book (if needed). Or perhaps you might wrap up warm and sit outside, listening to the world go by. 

Take advantage of the season and get a bit of practice in.

2. Stretching out enjoyment

What, for you, sparks true happiness? Is it a meal with friends? A walk in nature? Whatever it is, every now and again, stretch it out. Linger over dinner for hours. Pack extra snacks and water to head out for a longer hike. Get lost in the moment, don't think about anything else, just enjoy.

It may seem indulgent, impossible perhaps, when you have a young family or responsibilities galore. But if you can, every now and then, schedule in some 'stretched out moments' of pure enjoyment just for you. It could be one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical well being.  

3. Reframing the concept of work

We live in a non-stop world. We have access to our emails on our phones, rarely use up all of our annual leave allowance, and are constantly pinged with notifications of all descriptions. In short, we're burning the candle at both ends.

Why? Because our culture has told us that work is valuable (which it is) but that rest is lazy (which it is not).

In order to thrive, and enjoy the art of doing nothing, we need to reframe the concept of work. We must accept that we cannot, and should not be, "on" all the time.

Try then to carve moments of rest into your day. Get up every half hour and stretch your legs. Ensure that you take your lunch break away from your desk. Finish promptly at 5pm. Listen to that podcast with a cup of tea. Plan and schedule it into your day. The time before and just after this moment will probably prove to be your most productive work yet. 

4. Learning to rest

Rest doesn't just happen. See above. 

We have to plan it in – regularly. In fact, rest should be part of your daily schedule. Morning - wake up, brush your teeth, do nothing. Or if that's not realistic (we hear you), maybe you're more of an evening person, so carve out an hour or two for leisure after work. Even just 20 minutes. 

Schedule. It. In. It will feel alien at first. That's OK. But soon it will become a part of you. 

5. Pick up a hobby

We know, how can you do nothing, whilst doing something? 

Winston Churchill once said, "It is not enough merely to switch off the lights which play upon the main and ordinary field of interest; a new field of interest must be illuminated."

We've heard of deep work – we need deep play. Moments where our attention is so fully focused on enjoyment that nothing can distract us - a true sense of flow.  Ever seen a five- year-old fully immersed in imaginative play...? That is pure deep play at its purest and it's magical to watch. 

So while, in the strictest sense this isn't about 'doing nothing', we thought it was an important concept to include. Consider activities like running or painting. They require concentration but also allow the mind to be thinking and resting in the background.

You'll be surprised how beneficial this active rest state can be. Just like those aha moments you get in the shower - when we give our minds something else to work on, our subconscious will start solving problems in the background.

Note: this blog is adapted from the original article written by navygrey.co