In the modern world, we are constantly barraged with obligations and tasks. Even our leisure time is often filled with commitments, activities, and events.

The pressure to succeed is constantly mounting, and the fluorescent light of a busy life is becoming ever more blinding. A culture of overworking, stress, and constant stimulation has become commonplace; it seems like everyone is in a rush these days.

And while there is nothing wrong with ambition or hard work, pressures from the outside world can leave us feeling stressed and exhausted at the end of every day. It’s essential not just to take time but to create time to relax and unwind, as this will help reduce stress and anxiety.

Niksen is a Dutch concept that refers to the philosophy of doing nothing. It can also be translated as “nixing”. It is often used to describe the idea of taking a break from the hectic pace of life and simply relaxing and enjoying life.

While not specifically a meditation technique, niksen allows us to tap into our natural instincts and reconnect with nature and our inner selves.

“Niksen doesn’t require you to focus your entire attention on the present moment or become one with your surroundings. Quite the opposite, niksen allows you to think — or not — about anything you want. The mind is simply free to wander,” explains Ionela Bărbuță of the Dutch Review.

According to the Niksen philosophy, there’s no need to rush or stress out — life is too short to waste time on things that don’t matter. In fact, Niksen is said to help improve productivity and creativity.

Niksen is about being mindful, getting centered, and finding your happy place through relaxing activities that require you to unplug from technology and tune into yourself.

Doing nothing means letting life run its natural course without resistance or getting caught up in the busyness of life. “Think “simply sitting in a chair or looking out of the window,” says Ruut Veenhoven, a sociologist and professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

It signifies a culture of relaxation and disconnection from work and technology. The concept has expanded to mean any activity intended to give your mind a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life. In short: the art of total relation.

Niksen is based on the theory that humans are naturally motivated to do things — but an “always on” mentality can actually be harmful.

If you focus on what you are not doing rather than what you are doing, you will feel more relaxed and in control, reducing stress and anxiety and allowing for better recovery from work.

Over-emphasizing productivity at all costs can create unnecessary stress instead of helping you get things done. When excessive focus on productivity takes up an unhealthy amount of your time, you end up spending way too much time on many tasks (without actual results) instead of focusing on the things that truly matter in your life.

Instead of helping us achieve a super organized existence, modern world demands on our time are taking over our lives and preventing us from leading meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Niksen advocates for a “restorative lifestyle” — one in which we spend more time relaxing and enjoying the simple things in life. This way, we can reduce the negative effects of stress and anxiety on our health and mood, and improve our physical well-being.

Many niksen proponents claim that this way of living is the best way to reduce stress and anxiety. However, there is no one right way to do Niksen — it’s up to you to find ways of relaxing that works for you.

How to practice niksen

Niksen can be applied to anything from taking work breaks on purpose to enjoying a leisurely walk in the park. The goal is to find moments throughout the day to relax and de-stress.

Sitting in silence, reading your favorite book, spending time in nature, walking by the sea, and participating in simple activities are all ways to practice niksen.

You can also embrace the philosophy by sitting in silence without distractions, taking breaks from work on purpose and taking in the view, or enjoying a cup of tea or coffee without doom-scrolling. Whatever you do, make the practice device-free.

The key is to find something that relaxes you and allows you to focus on your goals. So if you’re looking for a way to relax and de-stress, try out Niksen — it may just be the best thing you’ve ever done! It can be anything you do that helps you relax and disconnect from your everyday stresses — including napping!

By practicing niksen (doing nothing) to reset your brain, you can clear your mind and relax your body. This, in turn, will help you to focus more efficiently and improve your productivity when you get back to work. It also improves concentration, patience, and observation skills.

This article originally appeared in Medium.