The Lost Art of Doing Nothing

How the Dutch Unwind with NIKSEN

Lona Alders, Maartje Willems

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Hardback

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English

Affirm Press
25 May 2021

Psychology; Advice on education

"Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves is nothing. The Dutch have a word for this form of active rest: niksen (which translates closely to ""doing nothing""). It is a state of non-productivity - staring out a window, lying on the grass, closing our eyes, or listening to music - that can help decrease stress, improve health, inspire creativity, and more. But it's harder than you think, and by no means a holy grail. In this fast-paced world our brains are not easily switched off. And for the Dutch, the word implies that you don't just stand there empty-handed, but do something and live your best life!

In this charmingly illustrated guide, Dutch journalist Maartje Willems draws on a pool of interviews, studies, books, and films to teach us exactly how niksen can lead to a healthier way of living.

Following on the tail of hygge and lagom, the global phenomenon of niksen could be misunderstood as yet another promise for a better life. But niksen shows us that all this doing only adds up to more stress about why these so-called easy tools have not led to lasting happiness. This book reveals the lost art of a word that has been around for centuries, and helps us find a less stressful and more easygoing world."

By: Lona Alders, Maartje Willems
Imprint: Affirm Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 186mm, Width: 144mm,
Weight: 364g
ISBN: 9781615197644
ISBN 10: 1615197648
Pages: 160
Publication Date: 25 May 2021
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Maartje Willems is a Dutch journalist and writer. She lives in Amsterdam where she works as a freelancer and for the VPRO radio program Never Sleep Again. She previously wrote the self-help book Vanaf nu wordt alles beter (From Now on Everything Will Get Better). Lona Aalders is a photographer and illustrator. She lives in a tiny house in Baambrugge and sees slow living as her personal religion. She previously authored the book Bullet Journaling: This is How You Do It! and illustrated Vanaf Nu wordt alles beter for Maartje Willemes.

Reviews for The Lost Art of Doing Nothing: How the Dutch Unwind with NIKSEN

Charming . . . This pleasant, effortless work will be perfect for any busybody. --Publishers Weekly I got a surprising amount of guidance. . . . It looks like a coffee table gift book, partly because of the lovely illustrations. . . but there are questions to answer and exercises to try. --The Boston Globe