THERE,ofcourse,areseveral formulae available in the market for busting stress -- including physical exercise, playing sports, reading, listening to music,talkingtofriends,cooking, gardening, knitting ...!But “doingnothing”forsometime on a daily basis is possibly the beststress-bustingmethod,as suggested by many medical doctors or psychologists or counsellers. Of course, in today’s world where life is always on a fast track and everybody appears to be in a hurry doing this or that,“doing nothing” may not be easily acceptable to most. Yet, if one thinks a little deeply about the concept, one may agree that “doing nothing” may be the right stress-busting method. True, many other methods may crop up with passage of time. But until that happens, trying the method of “doing nothing” may help. It is important to note that there is a critical difference between“notdoinganything” and“doing nothing”.

 

For, “not doing anything” has a negative note, while “doing nothing” has a positive note. Some may find it difficult to understand this fine difference.Yet, “doing nothing” has many positive aspects that may bring a sense of quiet to the person who tries it. Whenonesays,oneis“doing nothing”, one has made a choice of “doing” nothing. So, one keeps aside one’s mobile phone, switches off the television,keepsone’sbooksaside, does not eat or drink anything -- andonlysits quietfor sometime.Onemaycloseone’seyes in the “doing nothing” condition -- and not say a word to one’s own self or to anyone else.Inthat state, one may not even engage self in any specific thought. One may allow thoughtstowander-- without even trying to reach a state of thoughtlessness.Thismaynot becalledmeditation,sotosay. Yet, such a condition may be described as something akin to meditation.

 

Psychologists have found that “doing nothing” really helpsinbustingstress--which is one of the most important reasons of overall illhealth in modern times. The loud-thinker has tried this model successfully -- find himself having been relieved of muchofhis stress.Onmany occasions,his“doingnothing” sessions get stretched over an hour -- often yielding great results. Of course,reading is another stress-busting method the loud-thinker follows religiously. However, there the purposeisnotjuststress-busting, but also adding value to one’s thinking or wisdom. But readingisalsooneactivitythat has given a near-meditative experience. Many people can come up with as many methods of stress-busting. Those who do notharbouranyhobbyassuch as a stress-busting methodmay try “doing nothing” approach.