TAKE A MOMENT TO NIK

How “Niksen” can benefit you | By Matt Auletti | January 7, 2020

While the definition of niksen could easily be translated to the word lazy, I would be remiss if I did not share the benefits that stem from the dutch concept.  See, as stress levels reach record highs across not only the United States, but the entire world, the time has come for innovative ways for stress-relief.  That’s why doctors across the world began to study the benefits of slowing down the brain and what it can do in-turn for productivity and creative thinking, among many other things. 

Eve Ekman, the director of training at the Greater Goods Science Center at the University of California Berkeley, stated that the research is strong when it comes to the benefits of slowing down from emotional effects - such as reducing anxiety - to physical advantages - like strengthening the body’s ability to fight off a cold.    

Which brings me to my point.  No matter who you are or what role you hold in an organization, stress is as inevitable as darkness follows the sunset.  Further research suggests that by allowing yourself and your employees some time for niksen throughout the day, you are providing opportunities for your mind to wander and foster creative problem solving.  So that problem you got stuck on earlier could be solved by allowing your brain some time to mindlessly wander for a bit, aka niksen.  

Allow yourself to just exist.  Sit back, relax, and just let life run its course for a moment.  Don’t let any work-related events cross your mind, and don’t let anyone or anything get in your way.  That’s the niksen way.