Monday, September 22, 2014
Today’s to-do list: Do nothing
Every day I receive an email from DailyGood.org that starts
with a positive quote, followed by an uplifting story or essay that illustrates
that quote. Last week’s essay was
entitled, “Today I will do nothing.” That sure caught my attention. In this fast-paced,
often-frantic, stress-filled world perhaps there is nothing we need more than a
day to do absolutely nothing.
It seems that everyone is too busy to “stop and smell the
roses.” That’s a saying we haven’t heard in a long time.
Kids are rocketed from one activity to the next at a high
velocity — from school to baseball practice, to dance lessons, to karate
lessons, to a track meet, with barely enough time to squeeze in a fast food
take-out burger and fries for
supper. Homework is jammed in
there somewhere, too.
Free time to do nothing seems to be a thing of the past, a
time-waster, unnecessary, even boring.
But the frantic pace of our days leads to trouble sleeping at night. We start the process over again the next day without ever getting restored and revitalized.
Here are some ways to accept the challenge of slowing down
and unwinding.
• Take time to go outside and breathe in fresh air. It will clear your mind and clear your
lungs. Take a leisurely walk. Look
around at the beauty nature has to offer.
Children have this one figured out. They notice unusual bark on a
tree, heart-shaped rocks, faces in
the clouds, colorful wildflowers, chipmunks scurrying, ant hills being built,
splendid sunsets; it’s all there to be seen and enjoyed -- and it’s free.
• Unplug from technology. For one day, take a break from computers, cell phones, all
electronic devices, even television, but especially video games. Your email and Facebook posts will
still be there a day later.
The late author O. Henry is credited with saying, “The true
adventurer goes forth aimless and uncalculating to meet and greet unknown fate.”
We really can’t be aimless and uncalculating every day; that just isn’t
feasible. But a day to do nothing
once in a while may be just the remedy we all need.
Alice Facente is a community health nurse for the Backus
Health System. This advice should not replace the advice of your personal
health care provider. To comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy
Living blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org
# posted by ----------------- @ 11:55 PM 
