For this week’s Mental Sunshine, I want us all to try something that may sound completely revolutionary, off the wall and bonkers…
Let’s all do nothing!
When was the last time you did nothing?
I mean nothing at all
No TV to watch or radio to listen to
Not reading something
No phone in your hand
I know, sounds bizarre these days, doesn’t it!
These days, it’s so rare for us to just do nothing.
There’s always something to do
How often do you spot someone walking through town whilst also watching something on their phone?
How often do you put the TV on… and then pick up your phone?
Lots of people even use music to get to sleep
We are literally never doing nothing!
Of course, that’s not the end of the world
If you enjoy doing these things, who am I to tell you to stop?
There is a theory though, that when we get into bed at night and can’t get to sleep because our brain is going mad with thoughts…
That’s because it hasn’t had space to deal with those thoughts throughout the day
It’s been constantly bombarded with information and entertainment from the moment we woke up.
Lying down in bed at night, or waking up at 3am, is the only time our brain gets to process what’s been going on through the day.
Giving our brain space with nothing to do can help to reduce stress and anxiety
It gives the nervous system a chance to calm down and come out of “fight or flight” mode.
Even better: when the brain is free to wander, it can become more creative.
Go on, I dare you.
Put your phone down and just do nothing
Even if only for five minutes…
Or try 10…
Let me know how you get on!