你還記得上一次放空發呆是什麼時候嗎？根據研究，60%的現代人已經忘記上次真正放鬆、關掉腦袋的時刻了。而更令人震驚的是，超過兩成的人表示，即使想要放空，卻完全不知道該怎麼做。
在這個永遠在線、資訊轟炸的時代，荷蘭人提供了一個令人耳目一新的生活智慧：Niksen，一種透過「什麼都不做」來療癒身心的生活哲學。
不是偷懶，是你值得擁有的放空時光
Niksen（發音：nik-sen）源自荷蘭文「niks」，直譯是「無」（nothing）的意思。在過去可能有著「發懶、浪費時間」的負面印象。然而到了注意力過載的現在，這個概念有了新的正面意義：主張在日常生活中，適時地進入一種純粹的「存在」（stillness）狀態，不需要目的，不需要成果，就只是在那裡。
"Niksen is The Lost Art of Doing Nothing." - Maartje Willems
這聽起來是不是很像冥想或正念？有趣的是，Niksen比這些更加自由。
當你冥想時，仍然需要專注於呼吸或特定的意識；但在 Niksen 時，你的心思可以任意漫遊，不需要任何特定的專注點。
為什麼「發呆」這麼重要？
在講求效率的現代社會，發呆常被視為浪費時間。但科學研究顯示，讓大腦定期「放空」反而能帶來意想不到的好處：
- 增加創造力：研究發現，當心智自由漫遊時，反而最容易迸發創意靈感
- 減緩壓力：放空時刻能幫助大腦重置，降低焦慮感
- 提升解決問題的能力：看似無所事事的狀態，實際上是大腦在整理資訊的黃金時段
- 改善睡眠品質：有時候睡不好，是因為腦袋運作了一天後，在沒有放緩的情況下強制關機。給自己一小段 Niksen 的放空時間，讓各種思緒放放電，慢慢進入休眠模式，能夠睡得更安穩、不會那麼多夢。
如何開始你的Niksen時刻？
不同於需要特別時間和場所的冥想，Niksen可以融入日常生活的各個片段：
- 捧著咖啡杯發呆五分鐘
- 望著窗外的雨滴發愣
- 躺在沙發上放空片刻
- 散步時不戴耳機，讓思緒自由遊走
關鍵是：放下手機，遠離螢幕。
大多數人只能耐住性子發呆六分鐘就會忍不住查看手機。但請記住，真正的放鬆，來自於讓大腦遠離持續的資訊輸入。
而且你會發現，我們並不是沒有時間放空，而是把那些時間都花在滑手機上了，任由無意義的視窗切換和垃圾資訊分散我們的注意力。
離開手機，是找回當下、讓自己徹底休息的第一步驟！
克服「發呆罪惡感」
很多人在嘗試 Niksen 時，常會感到一絲不安和罪惡感。這其實反映了現代社會根深蒂固的「生產力至上」思維。
要克服這種心理障礙，不妨將放空視為大腦的必要休息，就像運動後肌肉需要休息才能變得更強壯，大腦也需要定期的放空來提升效能。或是善用工作間的空檔，例如會議結束、午休後的短暫時光，都是練習Niksen的好時機！
打造你的「發呆特區」
想要讓Niksen成為日常習慣，不妨這樣做：
- 在日程表中預留「發呆時段」，就像預約了和自己的約會
- 找出適合發呆的個人空間，可能是窗邊的小角落，或陽台的躺椅
- 提醒自己：發呆不是偷懶，而是在急促的生活中為自己爭取的充電時刻
在這個總是催促我們向前衝的世界裡，學會停下來，反而是最大的生存智慧。就像荷蘭人告訴我們的：有時候，什麼都不做，才是最滋養心靈的選擇。
今天，就從五分鐘的發呆開始，送給自己一份珍貴的心靈禮物吧。
The Dutch Art of Niksen: Why Doing Nothing Could Be the Best Self-Care Practice
When was the last time you truly let your mind wander? Research shows that 60% of people can't remember the last time they completely switched off and relaxed. Even more striking, over 20% admit they wouldn't even know how to do nothing if they tried.
In our always-on, information-saturated era, the Dutch have introduced us to a refreshing life philosophy: Niksen, the art of healing mind and body by deliberately doing nothing.
Not Laziness, But a Deserved Moment of Stillness
Niksen (pronounced nik-sen) comes from the Dutch word "niks," meaning "nothing." While it might have carried negative connotations of laziness or time-wasting in the past, this concept has gained new positive meaning in our attention-overloaded present: it advocates for intentionally entering a state of pure "being" (stillness) in daily life, without purpose or outcome, simply existing in the moment.
"Niksen is The Lost Art of Doing Nothing." - Maartje Willems
Does this sound similar to meditation or mindfulness? Interestingly, Niksen offers more freedom than these practices.
While meditation requires focusing on your breath or maintaining specific awareness, Niksen allows your mind to wander freely, without any particular point of focus.
Why is "Doing Nothing" So Important?
In our efficiency-driven society, daydreaming is often seen as a waste of time. However, scientific research reveals that regular mental "timeouts" can bring unexpected benefits:
- Enhanced Creativity: Studies show that moments of mind-wandering often lead to the most creative insights
- Stress Reduction: These moments of nothing help reset the brain and reduce anxiety
- Improved Problem-Solving: What seems like idle time is actually the brain's golden period for processing information
- Better Sleep Quality: Sometimes, sleep issues arise because we force our brains to shut down without proper deceleration. A brief Niksen moment allows thoughts to settle naturally, leading to more peaceful, less disturbed sleep.
How to Start Your Niksen Practice?
Unlike meditation, which often requires specific time and space, Niksen can be integrated into various moments of your daily life:
- Holding a coffee cup and staring into space for five minutes
- Watching raindrops on your window
- Lying on the couch without purpose
- Walking without earphones, letting your thoughts roam free
The key is: Put down your phone and step away from screens.
Most people can only resist checking their phones for six minutes during idle time. Remember, true relaxation comes from letting your brain take a break from constant information input.
You'll realize it's not that we don't have time to do nothing - we've just been spending that time scrolling through our phones, letting meaningless window-switching and information clutter distract us.
Stepping away from your phone is the first step to reclaiming the present moment and allowing yourself to truly rest!
Overcoming "Do-Nothing Guilt"
Many people experience discomfort and guilt when trying Niksen. This reflects our society's deeply ingrained "productivity above all" mindset.
To overcome this mental barrier, think of doing nothing as essential brain maintenance - just as muscles need rest after exercise to grow stronger, your brain needs regular periods of nothing to enhance its performance. Use those brief windows between tasks, like after meetings or during lunch breaks, as perfect opportunities to practice Niksen!
Creating Your "Nothing Space"
To make Niksen a daily habit, try these approaches:
- Schedule "nothing time" in your calendar, like an appointment with yourself
- Find your ideal space for doing nothing - perhaps a window nook or a balcony chair
- Remind yourself: doing nothing isn't laziness, it's a necessary recharge in our fast-paced world
In a world that constantly pushes us to rush forward, learning to stop might be the greatest survival wisdom. As the Dutch have shown us: sometimes, doing absolutely nothing is the most nourishing choice for our souls.
Today, start with just five minutes of nothing - give yourself this precious gift of mental space.
