THE NEW TREND: NIKSEN - BUSY DOING NOTHING

Another trend from the North?
The Northerners really understood it! So here comes, once again from the north, a trend that has it all, and brings wellness home to us: ‘NIKSEN’ is its name, it comes from Holland and means as much as ‘doing nothing’ – now how nice is that?

Sure, it’s not that easy to do nothing at all, even the more so as this “activity” is usually stigmatized in our society and equated with laziness. But it can also mean to simply shift down a gear (or several gears) and clear your head.

So… look out the window for a while and let your thoughts fly, relax on the sofa and breathe, sit in the garden and listen to the rustling of the leaves in the trees. These moments have a proven stress-reducing effect (cortisol levels in the blood decrease) and let us come up with new, creative thoughts. As we know, creative thinking needs time, something many researchers on happiness have already found out.

One could also call this attitude “productive boredom”: conscious ‘Niksen’ means to (NOT?) be diverted from doing nothing in order to get a clear head again. No book, no newspaper, no mobile phone – just ME with MYSELF and I. It is also a form of mindfulness and a nice alternative for all those who find access to meditation difficult.

Niksen in front of the fireplace
(Armchair: Gervasoni / Interior Design: Go Interiors)

Niksen on the terrace
(Couch: Tribu / Interior Design: Go Interiors)

So… how does it work? Some tips from the feel-good experts:
Swinging or swaying have a meditative effect and calms body and head, something that can already be observed with babies in their cradle. Many sailors also know that swaying on the water has an extremely calming effect on head, mind and soul… as long as you don’t suffer from seasickness. Hang a hammock in the garden, put up a Hollywood swing or place a rocking chair in front of the window and there you have your own ‘Niksen corner’ for sweet idleness.

Especially now, at the beginning of the holiday season and also because many people will stay at home, you should take some time out to clear your mind of everyday problems. Gain new strength through soothing rocking: it will generate creative ideas!