Good Health

DUTCH COURAGE TO DO nothing

When someone asks you how you are, is your answer often “busy” or “stressed”? If so, you could be in need of the Dutch practice of niksen.

Niksen is being touted as the answer for all of us who burn the candle at both ends, and is the latest European wellbeing fad set to burst onto the world stage. First, the Danish gave us hygge, a sense of cosyness and comfort, and then the Swedes brought lagom, the idea of everything in moderation. Now, it’s time to bring some niksen into our lives.

Put simply, niksen is the practice of doing nothing – or to do anything at all without purpose, such as staring out the window or listening to music.

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