Each country has its own "art of living". For example, the word "niksen" shows how Dutch people fight stress and tiredness in a fast- paced lifestyle.
The term "niksen" comes from the Dutch word "niks", which refers to"nothing". In practice, "niksen" could be as simple as just relaxing, looking at your surroundings or listening to music - as long as it's without purpose and not done in order to achieve something. Think "simply sitting in a chair or looking out of the window," says Ruut Veenhoven, a professor at Erasmus University who studies happiness.
"Niksen" sounds contrary to the advice that we were all given as kids. Nowadays, we're always told to stay busy and work harder than everyone else. But "niksen" is against that attitude. It offers the chance to "deliciously do nothing", as Carolien Hamming told Time. She thinks that "niksen" is very important to staying healthy, since it's a form of mental relaxation and healing. Just like a wild animal lying in wait for their food, "niksen" seems to be a natural state of being.
For some people,"niksen" can mean more than just mental relaxation. It's also a way to imagine new ideas or plans. As an early adopter of "niksen", Jenny Holden, adds it to her daily lunch breaks. "Within 10 minutes of doing nothing-just staring and listening to myself-my head began to clear and pick out my work and home to-do lists", she told the Metro UK. However, for many, doing nothing isn't as simple as it sounds. In fact, it can be somewhat challenging to sit still and stare out a window.
Above all, "niksen" is a suggestion for balancing work and rest. As Dutch-born writer Ogla Mecking wrote in Whoolly Magazine,"niksen" is the full enjoyment of life's breaks".
Everyone is encouraged to have your "niksen" moments. They give you the strength to face everyday challenges.
