City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

The lost art of doing nothing, how the Dutch unwind with niksen, Maartje Willems & Lona Aalders ; translated by Laura Vroomen

eng

illustrations

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non fiction

The lost art of doing nothing

Maartje Willems & Lona Aalders ; translated by Laura Vroomen

how the Dutch unwind with niksen

Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves is nothing. The Dutch have a word for this form of active rest: niksen (which translates closely to "doing nothing"). It is a state of non-productivity - staring out a window, lying on the grass, closing our eyes, or listening to music - that can help decrease stress, improve health, inspire creativity, and more. But it's harder than you think, and by no means a holy grail. In this fast-paced world our brains are not easily switched off. And for the Dutch, the word implies that you don't just stand there empty-handed, but do something and live your best life!