Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering. ~ Winnie-the-Pooh, fictional character created by A.A. Milne
I shot the video below seven summers ago. The message it shares is as true now as it was then: once in awhile, we all need to embrace doing nothing. And now more than ever, people are beginning to recognize the benefits of doing nothing for stress, creativity, and overall well-being. It’s particularly enjoyable during the lazy, hazy days of summer. As I visit in-laws in Scotland, and bike pack 340 km over the Highlands, on The Badger Divide, I won’t exactly be doing nothing, but since I am on holidays, I figured it’s a great time to reboot this classic.
Why Doing Nothing Feels So Unnatural But So Necessary
Enjoy the video below while I pedal my butt off… or read the transcript that follows, and if you want to join me on my adventures, follow along on Instagram.
As I honour this journey of weekly video creation and ponder all the elements of a successful work-life recharge I keep coming back, time and again, to one thing that I believe most of us need to do more often, and few of us know how to do well. NOTHING.
And then last week I was having a conversation with one of my favourite coaching clients and she mentioned that the weekend previous, she’d had the perfect Saturday doing NOTHING. It got me thinking. When was the last time you did …NOTHING?
And I’m not talking about killing-6-hours-binge-watching-everything-on-Netflix-NOTHING, I’m talking about … NO. THING. You just twitched didn’t you. Well, what would nothing look like for you?
For many of us, it’s a foreign concept ‘Nothing? What is this thing you speak of?’
Our days are jammed from first light to good night. Every moment is filled with meetings, emails, phone calls, driving here and there, groceries, house work, yard work … multi-tasking through life. And if we have a free moment, our phones keep us company. Down time gets distracted away by Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, in a frenzied effort to stay relevant, caught up, connected. Instead, we’re feeling frazzled and fried.
Which is why it’s so necessary to pause every now and then, to slow down, to do nothing in a bid to make sense of ‘busy’. Most of us are used to being in constant motion. We defer to ‘what’s next’ or to ‘what’s happening elsewhere’ All. Day. Long.
The Science-Backed Benefits of Doing Nothing
Doing nothing calms the mind and creates a sense of peace, something we all need more of. And let’s be clear: it’s not about being lazy or avoiding responsibility. The benefits of doing nothing lie in becoming comfortable with stillness, learning to savor the present moment without guilt or distraction. It’s about creating space to think, reflect, and just be.
That said, if you’re used to a packed schedule or constant connection, doing nothing might feel awkward at first. You might fidget. Your brain might start hunting for tasks. That’s okay. Sit for just ten minutes. Let yourself slow down enough to fully unplug from the noise and busyness. Discomfort is part of the process.
Think of it like yoga—sometimes the poses that feel uncomfortable at first are the ones that build the most flexibility. It’s the same here. The discomfort of boredom can actually boost creativity. In fact, a 2014 study from the U.K. found that participants who were bored before tackling a problem came up with more original, creative solutions than those who weren’t. The science confirms it: the benefits of doing nothing include sharper thinking and a more imaginative mind.
Need more scientific benefits of slowing the heck down? Watch video #14 – A Parasympathetic Pause to be reminded!
Once you slow down, take a few deep breaths. Breathe in silence. Let your mind wander without a screen, without a to-do list. Listen for what your head and heart are trying to tell you beneath all the noise of daily stress.
When I sit and breathe in stillness, I’m not thinking about TV shows or chores or social media. Instead, my thoughts drift toward how I’m feeling, what kind of health I want to create, the creative projects I want to pursue, and the kind of person I want to be. It’s a powerful reset.
Now, I get it. It’s not easy to do nothing. That’s why I want to share some simple ways to disconnect from ‘busy’ and begin practicing the art of stillness:
- Let go of the guilt. Busy is not a badge of honour. Productivity doesn’t define your worth. Give yourself permission to just be. Even 10 minutes of intentional pause can deliver the benefits of doing nothing.
- Disconnect from tech. Social media can drain your energy. Try turning off devices an hour before bed, skipping screens during meals, or going tech-free on Saturday mornings.
- Step away from the TV. While it can be a form of escape, too much of it robs you of presence. Trade one hour of screen time for a quiet walk or time in nature.
- Take a nap. A short rest can reduce stress and support heart health. Lie on the couch, visit a quiet park, or just pause in silence with your eyes closed.
- Leave the chores. The dishwasher can wait. So can laundry. You deserve a few minutes of peace—without the need to check one more thing off the list.
- Use the early morning. Mornings are perfect for doing nothing. The world is still quiet, and your mind hasn’t kicked into overdrive yet. Savor those 10 sacred minutes of stillness before the day begins.
Try this simple reset:
- Sit down
- Breathe
- Repeat Step 2
For those few blissful minutes, soak in the peace, clarity, and quiet power that comes from doing absolutely nothing.
Until next time, I’m Michelle Cederberg, reminding you that in order to Ignite High Performance, sometimes you need to stop completely so you can go big when it truly matters. The benefits of doing nothing are real, and they’re yours to claim.
Michelle Cederberg, Health and Productivity Expert, MKin, BA Psyc, CEP, CPCC
Hall of Fame Speaker, CSP, Certified Coach & Best-Selling Author
www.michellecederberg.com
403-850-5589
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