In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, it can be challenging to find moments of stillness and silence. We’re often so focused on productivity and achievement that we forget the importance of taking a break and simply being. However, embracing stillness and silence can have a powerful impact on our mental and emotional well-being.
There are, in fact, so many benefits to doing nothing, it should be something we all incorporate into our daily routine. Simply being still can be incredibly powerful. These are just a few ways that stillness and silence can help you in your daily life.
Reducing stress and anxiety: When we’re constantly on the go, our nervous system can become overstimulated, leading to feelings of stress and anxiety. Taking a break and embracing stillness and silence can help reduce these feelings by allowing our nervous system to calm down and our mind to relax.If you work in a fast-paced environment, these breaks become essential in reducing stress and anxiety. It may make you more anxious doing nothing but the more you do it, the more you will see the benefits to your feelings of stress and anxiety.
Promoting creativity: When our minds are constantly focused on tasks and responsibilities, we may find it difficult to tap into our creativity. Embracing stillness and silence can help us access a more creative state of mind by allowing our thoughts to flow freely without the distraction of external stimuli. This is why you might find you have no creative ideas in your team meeting but when you go for a walk or are in the shower, the ideas come flooding in.
Enhancing self-awareness: By taking the time to be still and silent, we can become more aware of our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This increased self-awareness can help us better understand ourselves and our needs, leading to improved decision-making and a deeper sense of self-acceptance.
So how can we practice the mindful art of doing nothing? These are a few of the tips that we use to add stillness and silence to our daily routine.
Schedule regular breaks: Set aside time in your day for stillness and silence, even if it’s just a few minutes. This could be as simple as taking a few deep breaths, going for a walk in nature, or sitting quietly with your eyes closed. Put these breaks in your diary, set a reminder on your phone, this way you are more likely to actually take the break.
Disconnect: Turn off your phone and other devices during your stillness and silence breaks to minimize external distractions. This might seem impossible to do at first, leave your phone in another room to start with to ensure you don’t reach for it.
Embrace boredom: Allow yourself to feel bored and resist the urge to fill your time with distractions. Boredom can be a gateway to creativity and self-discovery. Feel the boredom but don’t try to fight it, embrace it and see where it takes you.
Practice mindfulness: As you embrace stillness and silence, bring mindfulness to your experience by focusing on your breath, body sensations, and thoughts. Simply observe without judgment.
Be patient: Embracing stillness and silence is a skill that takes practice and patience. Be kind to yourself and remember that it’s okay if your mind wanders or if you feel restless at first.
The mindful art of doing nothing is a powerful practice that can help us reduce stress and anxiety, tap into our creativity, and enhance our self-awareness. By taking regular breaks for stillness and silence, we can cultivate a deeper sense of inner peace and well-being in our lives.
-Laura LeRoux
Photo: Unsplash
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