“Niksen. That’s what the Dutch call “radical rest.” It’s also the philosophy of doing nothing. Sometimes, it’s all a bit too much for your body. If you don’t listen, your body will respond in a way you least expect.
I’m a fan of scheduling “nothing time.”
I use it for whatever feels right in the moment. It can be walking, reading, thinking — or not — about anything I want. I give my mind permission to wander or just be — no expectations needed. It does wonders for my brain. I’m able to tune into myself at “nothing time.” It’s a slow and conscious approach to life and so much more.
Or better still, a “restorative lifestyle.” It’s how I reduce the negative effects of work, stress, and burnout on my mental health and mood and improve my physical well-being. “..rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor — such is my idea of happiness,” says author Leo Tolstoy.
Radical rest prioritises quality and conscious breaks before your mind or body needs them, or schedules rest like any other appointment.
That means you don’t squeeze it into your schedule; you place it at the top. It’s a bold move, a rebellious act against hustle culture.
It’s a commitment to yourself. You treat rest like a must “time slot.” And protect that time. Defend it like the rest of your life depends on it because it does. That’s how I reset my mind and body brain.
Radical rest is more than just taking a break. It’s about rethinking how I approach my daily life. For a long time, I believed rest was something I had to earn. I thought I had to check off everything on my to-do list before I could slow down. But the more I pushed myself, the more I realised that that way of thinking was doing more harm than good.
“The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in the changing light of room, not try to be or do anything whatever.”― May Sarton
In the last two years, I have rewired my awareness. I go for “solitude walks” a few times a week to think, observe, and appreciate the beautiful life I’m connected to. I also take long breaks in the middle of the day to recharge.
When I started to prioritise rest, I noticed a change in my mind and body. It wasn’t just about feeling less tired — it was about feeling more alive. Rest is no longer a reward but a vital part of living a whole and healthy life. Out in nature, I slow down and let my “nothing time” expand. I feel and sense everything around me.
The radical part for me is the decision to put rest first — to choose rest, even when it feels like I should be doing something else. It’s about trusting that by taking time to recharge, I’m actually setting myself up to do better work, have better relationships, and live a better life.
“To do nothing is to hold yourself still so that you can perceive what is actually there. As Gordon Hempton, an acoustic ecologist who records natural soundscapes, put it: “Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything.” — Jenny Odell, How to Do Nothing
Radical rest frees your mind. Without the constant pressure to do, you think clearly. You reconnect with yourself. You discover what truly makes you come alive. Life becomes about more than just achieving.
It’s about being.
Renewal demands stillness. There’s no healing without pause. Radical rest is the audacity of choosing it first. It’s a shift in mindset, a rebellion against productivity-obsession. A decision to take a short break in the middle of your day. Or maybe you go to bed an hour earlier. Be radical.
“I am important enough to pause,” becomes a mantra.
It’s a radical idea because it goes against what we’ve been taught. But once you start doing it, you realise it’s the most natural thing in the world.
When I put rest first, I have more energy for everything else. My work is better. My relationships are stronger. I’m happier. I feel more in control of my life because I’m not running on empty.
I have created a routine that honours work and rest, action and stillness. I’m scheduling rest, knowing that it will improve everything else in my life. I’m less likely to burn out and less prone to stress-related illnesses. I’m reclaiming time, energy, and inner peace. I want to build a healthier, happier, and more meaningful life.
Radical rest is an act of love. It’s love for ourselves, our bodies, and our minds. It’s a recognition that we are worthy of rest and that rest is essential for our growth and happiness.
A good life is not so much about what I achieve but how well I live. I like what author Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, said in Celebrating Silence, “Wisdom is knowing when to have rest, when to have activity, and how much of each to have. Finding them in each other — activity in rest and rest in activity — is the ultimate freedom.”
I am working on my resting.
Join my email list with 60K+ curious people who receive my best essays and free curated tools for conscious living.