What Is A Do Nothing Day And Why You Need To Do One
If you’ve made big goals for yourself this year, at some point you’ll need to do a Do Nothing Day.
It’s just what it means. A day where you make no plans, no goals and just take a much-needed break. You’re not seeking ideas to alleviate boredom, you just go with the flow.
It’s a day where you roll out of bed, and hang out in your PJs if you like. You are free to do whatever you like. You go with the flow.
With everything that has happened in the past few years with the pandemic, it’s much easier to give yourself a “Do Nothing Day”.
Personally, we seem to be living in PJs or comfortable leisure wear all the time. Taking a break is a norm in our home.
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Doing A “Do Nothing Day” Is A Stress Reliever
Remember the days when Sunday was the “day of rest”?
Life seemed a bit less stressful then. We had a sense that we could do a reboot before starting another busy week.
Doing something fun, that you enjoy doing, that’s not a “must-do” chore or activity is a fantastic stress-reliever. Studies show that doing a hobby is one of the top ways to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
Your Do Nothing Day can also be a day where you don’t do anything planned, complicated or taxing. It’s a license to be a bit lazy and to cut corners.
Don’t feel like having a complete meal? That’s fine. Make yourself a sandwich instead for dinner.
Or better yet, order in some food.
Don’t feel like making the bed? That’s OK. You’ll probably be taking a nap in it in a few hours anyway.
The act of letting go of your daily routines, your daily to-do lists and goals is therapeutic. You almost become kid-like in your approach to the day.
Sure, kids thrive on routines and parents make sure they stick to them. But kids don’t create plans for themselves. Your own plan is to do nothing.
No chores.
No cooking or meal prep – or minimal at best.
No contact with others if you like. It’s the ultimate in me-time.
Things You Can Do On A Do Nothing Day
So what can you do on a Do-Nothing Day?
Take a day off and consider doing some of these fun and simple activities.
- Sleep or nap -consider using a napping pillow (that blocks light from your eyes) or a portable pillow for a nap anywhere in the house.
- Laze around and gaze at the world around you – look out the window and watch nature or the city scene.
- Read a fiction novel. Something not too heavy. Romance novels and fun stories are the best. Keep it light!
- Take your time with your meals. Don’t rush to clean up your plates, etc.
- Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while watching nature outside (birds, squirrels)
- Watch TV marathons or your favourite movies.
- Play a video game
- Indulge in a super-easy hobby that doesn’t require effort: knitting, colouring or doodling.
- Play! Kinetic sand is fun as is play dough. Stress-relieving. Card games.
- Read magazines.
- Play around on Pinterest.
- Have a bubble bath or a shower with aromatic eucalyptus (an in thing right now and it smells so lovely!)
- Meditate or pray.
- Sit in a comfortable personal space. Enjoy the light. Listen to soft sounds. Enjoy spacing out with your thoughts.
- Play relaxing ambient music or chilled house or jazz. Calm your mind.
- Spend a day outside on a patio or in your garden. Or at a park, sitting on a bench.
- Turn off the phone. Let your family know you’re taking a day off and you’ll get back to them tomorrow. Just have an option in case of an emergency (usually a setting on your phone to let certain calls through).
- Slow down. Don’t rush through meals. Take time for your stomach to settle down before doing something else.
- Turn off technology. Entertain yourself in other ways.
- Experiment with photography on your phone. Keep it simple.
Fight Burn Out
Although life has certainly changed with many people working from home, homeschooling kids and in general, having more things to take care of around the house, it doesn’t mean we give up on self-care and wellbeing.
I find myself busier than ever, homeschooling a kid in JK, and working and growing my blog coaching business.
It’s easy to burn out.
| RELATED: How To Find Midlife Happiness When Everything’s Changing
Un-Plan Your Do Nothing Day
So plan a “Do Nothing Day”. Take a day off to reduce being burned out and exhausted from your new normal.
Give yourself some time to think, and focus on yourself and not on everything else around you.
Perhaps you return to making Sunday your new “day of rest” before another busy week.
However you do your “Do Nothing Day”, you’ll find yourself a little bit more organized in your thoughts and relaxed.
Now go, and have a lovely day off!
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