Feel like you’ve got always got a million tabs open in your brain? Discover the incredible art of doing absolutely nothing.  

How do you stay balanced in today's always-on world? Picture this: you’re scouring the aisles of the supermarket for tonight’s meal, whilst simultaneously listening to that podcast everyone keeps saying you have to listen to. You’re looking at your phone every now and then to reply to incoming work emails and mentally planning your outfit for tomorrow. Sound familiar? We humans experience a sense of satisfaction from getting as much done as possible in as little time as we can. Ticking off our to-do list triggers happy hormones to be released. Because it’s so satisfying to be productive, we often lose sight of the importance of doing absolutely nothing – and not feeling bad about it. If you think this sounds dull, or a waste of time – prepare to be enlightened on all the benefits of properly switching off and how you can do it.  

YOUR OWN EARTH HOUR

Every year, millions of people around the world 'celebrate' Earth Hour on the last Sunday of March. At 20:30 sharp, millions of participants from more than 180 countries switch off all lights and non-essential electrical appliances, giving Mother Earth a moment to catch her breath. These moments of stillness each year, serve as a reminder that it’s not only the planet that needs to recharge, but us too. Why not create your own Earth hour every day or week? A time when you switch off all distractions and thoughts and just recharge your mind and body. 

DON’T FEEL GUILTY 

Firstly, a moment of mindfulness should not be confused with a moment of laziness. If you come to this recharge time and think ‘I could be using this time to exercise’ or ‘I am procrastinating doing the dishes’ you need to rewire your brain to not feel guilty for putting your mental health first for a change. When we say ‘do nothing’, this doesn’t mean lying on the sofa in your PJs and binge-watching Gilmore girls (though this sounds dreamy). If you’re doing nothing right (and that means doing it mindfully) this is time well spent, and you will start to notice the benefits. So, let's dive into how. 

CONTROL YOUR THOUGHT STREAM

During the day, we are constantly switching gears. Replying to every notification, having conversations, tending to chores, battling with technology – it’s no wonder it sometimes feels like your 'bucket' is overflowing. How often do you single-task?  We are so well versed at multi-tasking now that it’s actually harder than it sounds. The problem usually is distractions. We may start with one tab open in our brain, but when a text pops up, or a great song comes on the radio – the tabs keep opening up and it can be hard to close them all.  By disconnecting and literally turning everything off, we eliminate distractions and give ourselves the best opportunity to control our thoughts. 

Try the following meditation, preferably in the morning. It will help to calm your mind, bring order to your thoughts and give you a sense of pure stillness. 

Step 1: Sit up straight in bed, with a soft pillow supporting your back.  

Step 2: Close your eyes.  

Step 3: Imagine a beautiful blue sky.  

Step 4: Visualise all your thoughts as clouds. If a thought pops up, just let it float by.  

Step 5: Focus on keeping the sky clear and enjoy the calmness. 

By bringing peace to your mind, you will get better at distinguishing which are important thoughts and which are not. This will also make you far more productive in your day-to-day life. 

OPEN THE DOOR TO YOUR IMAGINATION 

In manic times, it can be really hard to think creatively. When your mind is working overtime to process information, you deprive yourself of the peace and space needed to be creative. By doing nothing for a while, you can open the doors to your fantasies. 

Try this: stare out the window while drinking a cup of coffee. Take a moment to smell the coffee, notice the warm sensation of the cup in your hands and really take your time to taste and enjoy the brew. It’s an instant reset for a clear mind. 

GIVE YOUR BODY A BREAK

With flexible working a new norm for many, we spend a lot more time at home – this blurring of work life and home life can  make it more difficult to get out of ‘work mode’. When we’re moving from one chair to another in our own homes, it’s no wonder that, at some point, our muscles can no longer find a comfortable position. Tense muscles are not only painful, but they can affect your concentration. Give your body a recovering boost by lying down and thinking of (you guessed it) nothing at all. Think of tiredness like water flowing out of your body and notice how your stiff muscles relax while you rest. 

Tip for a relaxed posture: lie on your back on a soft surface (for example a blanket or a fluffy cushion) and put your lower legs on a chair or a sofa at a 90-degree angle. This position automatically tilts your pelvis, stretching your back muscles and allowing you to sink into a wonderful state of total relaxation. Lie like this for 10 to 15 minutes, close your eyes and enjoy a blissful moment for yourself.

CREATE CALMNESS 

Would you like to add a deeper dimension to your moment of relaxation? Discover our calming collection, The Ritual of Jing and experience how it helps to soothe your body and mind. With ingredients such as jujube and lotus lower that are known for their relaxing qualities, our Pillow mist, Foaming shower gel and Body cream reduce stress and produce a calm state of mind.