What Is 'Niksen'? The Dutch Mental Wellbeing Trend You Need to Know!

Imagine yourself reclining on a soft, sun-dappled meadow, a gentle breeze caressing your skin as you watch fluffy clouds drift lazily across the sky. This, my friend, is Niksen—the blissful act of doing absolutely nothing. While the Danes have their Hygge and the Japanese cherish their Ikigai, the Dutch have perfected the art of Niksen, earning them a spot on the coveted ‘Happiest People in the World’ lists.

You might be familiar with the Italian phrase "la dolce far niente," which translates to "the sweetness of doing nothing." Well, niksen is the Dutch equivalent, and it's about time we took a leaf out of their book. Our European friends have long understood the importance of simply being still, quiet, and present. To them, it's not laziness; it's quality time well spent, akin to savoring a delicious meal or enjoying a leisurely stroll through the countryside.

What is Niksen?

So, what exactly is niksen? In essence, it's the art of doing nothing—allowing your mind to wander aimlessly without any specific purpose or goal. While mindfulness focuses on the object of thinking, niksen is about letting your thoughts float freely, unconstrained by the need for productivity or efficiency.

Niksen isn't just about physical idleness; it's a state of mind, a deliberate embrace of leisure without guilt or expectation. It's not scrolling through social media or binge-watching your favorite TV series. It's about disconnecting from the relentless pace of productivity and allowing yourself to simply exist in the moment.

Why Embrace Niksen?

Now, you might be thinking, "easier said than done," and you'd be right. Niksen takes practice, but the rewards are well worth the effort. So how can you incorporate Niksen into your busy life? 

Paired with our frenetic lifestyles, it's no wonder that burnout has become an all-too-common affliction. Embracing Niksen offers a respite—a chance to unwind in a manner that allows us to reconnect with ourselves, free from the constant pressure to be perpetually productive.

Niksen celebrates the sheer joy of existence, allowing us to carve out pockets of tranquility amidst the chaos. It's about reclaiming those small moments of peace where the only expectation is to simply be, unburdened by thoughts of deadlines or the weight of the world's woes.

At first glance, Niksen may bear a resemblance to mindfulness, the practice of being fully present in the moment. However, there's a fundamental difference. While mindfulness requires active engagement with the present, anchoring oneself to the here and now, Niksen beckons us to let our minds wander freely, untethered by any particular activity.

How to Practice Niksen

So, how does one actually practice niksen in a world that’s always on the go? The beauty of niksen lies in its simplicity. You don’t need any fancy equipment or special training to embrace the art of doing nothing. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate niksen into your daily routine:

1. Take a Pause: Set aside dedicated time each day to simply sit and be. Whether it’s a few minutes in the morning or an hour before bed, allow yourself the luxury of doing nothing.

2. Disconnect: In a world filled with constant distractions, disconnecting from technology can be a powerful way to embrace niksen. Turn off your phone, step away from your computer, and allow yourself to be fully present in the moment.

3. Embrace Boredom: Instead of constantly seeking out stimulation, learn to embrace boredom as an opportunity for creativity and reflection. Let your mind wander freely, without feeling the need to fill every moment with activity.

You might start by simply lying down and allowing your mind to drift as you lose yourself in music. Alternatively, seek solace in nature by taking a leisurely stroll or gazing out of a window, embracing the beauty of the world unfolding before you. The key is to engage in activities that require minimal mental effort, or better yet, to revel in the pure essence of doing nothing.

The Benefits of Niksen

Embracing niksen isn’t just about being lazy; it’s about prioritizing your mental well-being in a world that often feels overwhelming. Here are a few benefits of incorporating niksen into your life:

• Reduced Stress: Taking time to do nothing can help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
• Increased Creativity: Allowing your mind to wander freely can stimulate creativity and innovation, leading to fresh insights and ideas.
• Improved Mental Health: Embracing idleness can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, promoting overall mental well-being.
• Enhanced Productivity: Paradoxically, taking breaks to do nothing can actually boost productivity by allowing your mind to recharge and refresh.
• Optimizing Brain Health: Engaging in moments of idleness through Niksen can have profound effects on brain health. Research suggests that allowing the mind to wander freely activates the brain's default mode network (DMN), which is associated with self-reflection and creative thinking. By promoting neural plasticity and preventing mental fatigue, Niksen can contribute to optimal brain function.

Niksen isn't a revolutionary trend demanding radical transformations; it's a gentle invitation to hit pause on the frenetic pace of life and bask in the serenity of simply being.

Ultimately, the key to embracing Niksen lies in finding what works best for you. Whether it's knitting, taking a leisurely stroll, or simply allowing yourself to daydream, the important thing is to give yourself permission to niks regularly and without guilt.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by the demands of modern life, consider embracing the art of niksen. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and revel in the beauty of doing nothing at all. Your mind—and body—will thank you for it.

Views expressed by the author are their own