The Quiet Power of Doing Nothing: Benefits of Niksen
Explore the quiet power of doing nothing and the Dutch concept of Niksen. Learn how embracing 'nothinging' can combat the exhaustion crisis and improve mental health.
Best quote from The Quiet Power of Doing Nothing: Benefits of Niksen
Doing nothing is not a luxury; it’s the basement of your cognitive house. If you never spend time there, the rest of the building starts to feel shaky.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
The Quiet Power of Doing Nothing
Frequently Asked Questions
Niksen is a Dutch concept that literally translates to 'nothinging.' It involves doing nothing without any specific purpose or goal, such as staring out a window or sitting on a bench. Unlike a productivity hack designed to help you get more done, Niksen is about simply being. It serves as a radical way to support mental health by resisting the urge to constantly optimize every moment of your time.
The world is currently facing a massive exhaustion crisis that impacts how people function daily. According to the Gallup 2026 report, approximately 80% of people worldwide are not engaged at work, while levels of stress and sadness continue to climb. This crisis is fueled by a constant need to be productive, making the practice of doing nothing more essential than ever for our collective well-being.
Many people experience a brewing guilt when they aren't 'doing' something because we have been trained to believe that every minute must be optimized. This reflex often leads us to reach for our phones the moment we face a delay or a long line. We tend to feel like we are failing at life if we aren't answering emails or being productive, even though our brains actually crave those moments of stillness.
Scientific evidence suggests that the 'nothing' we often avoid is exactly what our brains need to recover from constant stimulation. Embracing the quiet power of doing nothing can help alleviate the physical discomfort and stress associated with the modern exhaustion crisis. By practicing Niksen, you allow your mind to rest without the pressure of optimization, which can be a vital tool for maintaining long-term mental health.
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
