“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” ~Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne
Although I don’t recall that Winnie the Pooh was well-known for wisdom,
this quote offers some very good advice for relieving stress. It’s important to take time away from our busy schedule just to do “nothing”. No distractions, no cell phone, no email…taking a break from our daily routine can help keep a balance and reduce stress.
While Pooh’s favorite way to do nothing may amount to sitting under a tree with a honey pot, one of my favorite ways to do nothing is to visit the beach. I’ve found that just being outside in general, whether it’s the beach or the backyard, puts all the things that are causing stress into the right perspective. I’m reminded of how “insignificant” most of my problems really are in the bigger world around me.
How many of us take time out to do nothing, especially with today’s technology? As I watch my three children grow up, I wonder if their generation is losing the whole concept of “down” time. Between cell phones and the internet…it’s become much harder to escape the demands of work, school, family, friends…and just find time to do nothing. I’m not sure it’s such a great “advancement” to be accessible 24/7, from anywhere in the world – unless we consciously make an effort to take a break from it all and learn to balance the time we spend on our commitments to others and the commitment to ourselves.
Having a home office creates the temptation to work 7 days a week and never really “stop” working. It can be difficult to leave the stress at the office when your office is located 3 feet from your bedroom. For many of us who work at home, taking the time to do nothing sometimes means leaving the house to accomplish it. I’m fortunate to have my favorite do-nothing place – the beach – only a few miles away.
In fact, I’m making a promise to myself to visit the beach more in the next few months…to do nothing, listen to the things I can’t hear and not bother with the stress in my life during those moments.
Who would think a “silly old bear” could give such great advice?