While the natural inclination for many of us this time of year is to buy more, do more and be more, experts say to preserve your mental health, try a new approach: doing nothing at all. Mastering the art of doing nothing not only reduces stress, especially during the holidays, but it can also lead to some surprising health benefits.
The definition of "doing nothing" can vary from person to person, but its focus is turning away from distractions or demands and instead giving yourself space to be silent and mindful of your thoughts and feelings.
"When you're very busy, the stress hormone cortisol increases, and that raises your blood pressure, increases muscle tension and intensifies irritability. You need to actively do something to reverse the stress response, which is what 'doing nothing' or defocusing accomplishes," clinical psychologist Francine Toder says.
How long you need to "do nothing" to induce relaxation.
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