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Time of India
27-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
‘In the age of FOMO, a weekend with no plans helps you relax'
Written by: Yashaswi Kochar Given our hectic lifestyles, is it realistic to pause and revel in the joy of doing nothing, especially on weekends? Niksen, a Dutch term for doing absolutely nothing, seems to be becoming popular with Amdavadis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Rajyavardhan Singh, a management consultant, says, 'Sometimes, the best plan is to not have a plan. Since weekdays are hectic, a weekend with no plans helps you relax. It (doing nothing) is very much necessary.' Shivanshu Thakur, a chartered accountant, agrees, 'Once, after a hectic week with constant travelling, I was drained and decided that I should just sleep and relax the next weekend. I felt energised for the coming week after that.' 'You should take a break whenever you feel burnt out' So, when should one consider doing nothing? Rupangi Shah, a clinical psychologist, says, 'We need to remind ourselves that we are human beings, but we have become human doings. Just like we don't wait till the battery is dead before charging a phone, you should take a break whenever you feel burnt out.' How should one go about it? Rupangi shares, 'Acknowledge that doing nothing will be difficult initially. Try the art of slowing down and meditating. Any activity you like, be it swimming, art, reading a book or cooking, do it, but not with the purpose of achieving anything but just being present and relaxing.' 'It's ok to indulge in activities you enjoy' One can still indulge in activities they enjoy, as it can be relaxing. Fiza Malik, a senior analyst, says, 'Usually, I focus on haircare and skincare during this time, apart from indulging in nail extensions, dancing etc. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Since I enjoy doing these things, it feels like doing nothing.' Rajyavardhan agrees, 'I like reading books and binge-watching movies while talking to family members. It keeps me relaxed and makes me feel connected and entertained.' 'There is no need to feel guilty, you deserve this time off' One of the challenges people face is an overwhelming sense of guilt. Rupangi says, 'One feels guilty when we do something that is not accepted culturally or socially.' Shivanshu shares, 'We live in a competitive environment and at times, when I see colleagues preparing for competitive exams, I feel guilty about not making the best use of my weekend. However, it's important to understand what makes you happy. If I sense any guilt, I tell myself that I have worked hard for the rest of the week and deserve this time off.' 'Rest is productive, it keeps you sane' Culturally, we are conditioned to believe that we deserve rest when we achieve something. But doing nothing lets you enjoy the idea of leisure and finding pleasure in moments of stillness. Jagruti Singh, a digital marketing professional, says, 'On Sundays, while relaxing, sometimes I wonder if I should be doing something. But I remind myself that rest is productive. It keeps me sane and makes me feel better later.' Fiza adds, 'Such breaks are important. I get time to relax, take it slow, connect with my people and learn something new.' 'Doing nothing allows you to chill and reflect' What are the benefits of doing nothing? Jagruti says, 'Being home recharges me. It gives me space to reflect on the past week, think about what's ahead, and just chill.' Doing this for a week makes you feel more energised and can increase your productivity. How to not feel guilty about doing nothing Change your perception about being productive Focus on the present Challenge guilt when it arises Avoid comparisons with others
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
‘Digital detox helps unplug & unwind on weekends'
Written by: Yashaswi Kochar Whether it's a dinner gathering, vacation or movie outing, the sight of people being glued to their smartphones is common these days. The rise in screen time has led to a growing movement advocating for digital detox—a conscious effort to disconnect from electronic devices to rejuvenate the mind and body. Ashi Agrawal, a counselling psychologist, says, 'Disconnecting from screens—social media, news, and emails—allows you to take a break from digital stimulation. This helps reduce mental clutter and promotes relaxation.' As per a study by Ernst & Young (EY), Indians stared at their smartphones for an astounding 1.1 lakh crore hours in 2024. Almost 70% of this time was spent on social media, playing video games and watching videos. 'It's important to stay away from the phone too' If your phone is the first thing you check in the morning, you probably need digital detox. Jatin Barodia, an Indore-based CA who did a digital detox for seven months during his final exams, says, 'Earlier, after waking up, I would check Instagram for a few minutes. It was like a muscle memory for me.' For Aishwarya G, a master's student, it happened quite naturally. She says, 'One day, I was driving, and the dark, heavy clouds made everything look like a painting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why the Next Superpower Might Be the One That Controls Energy, Not Weapons Liseer Undo I was listening to Beethoven. But instead of enjoying the moment, my first instinct was to click photos for social media. I realised I was losing the habit of simply being present.' For Priyanshi Jain, who works with a marketing start-up, a trip to Sadhana Forest changed her perspective. She says, 'While phones are allowed inside the forest, I never felt the need to use it because there was so much to do.' 'Digital detox makes us realise how bothered we are about petty things' Many have turned to enriching activities during digital detox. Jatin shares, 'I go to the gym, meet my friends, sit with my family and even if I am alone at a cafe, I just observe people.' Exploring hobbies and spending time in nature can be fulfilling alternatives to screen time. Priyanshi says, 'In the forest, we cooked meals, planted trees, met new people and listened to their stories. After this experience, I realised how bothered we are about petty things. ' 'Digital detox comes with its own challenges' While digital detox promises mental clarity and a sense of balance, the process can be challenging. 'It often comes with its own challenges, especially in the beginning. The most common struggle is the fear of being left out, feeling discomfort with silence and stillness,' says counsellor Dhara Nahata. Being away from constant notifications can lead to feeling restless and lonely in the beginning. Aishwarya shares, 'I feared that if I stepped away from the online world, I might quietly disappear from others' thoughts. I also worried I might feel bored or left out.' 'One can start by taking baby steps' How can one try to stay away from the phone? Jatin says, 'I started with three hours. I would set a timer and study.' Priyanshi adds, 'Being away from my phone was challenging as I was into doomscrolling too. To break the pattern, I would plan what to do in the next two hours. Gradually, I increased the duration and was able to break that habit.' 'Being away from screen helps reduce mental clutter' Experts say that even brief periods of digital detox can lead to lasting changes in mindset and behaviour. Ashi Agrawal, a counselling psychologist, explains, 'Being away from your screen helps reduce mental clutter and promotes relaxation.' Priyanshi shares, 'I stopped checking Instagram completely and felt calmer.' Aishwarya adds, 'I have become comfortable with slowness. I no longer feel obliged to reply to emails instantly. Detox helped me reclaim a sense of time that belongs to me, not to the algorithm.' Apps to help you unplug Digital Detox Dragons OFFTIME OffScreen Headspace AppDetox Benefits of digital detox: Improved mental clarity: Constant notifications can lead to cognitive overload. Digital detox allows the brain to reset and function more effectively Better emotional regulation: Less exposure to social media comparisons and online noise means more inner peace and emotional balance Deeper presence: Whether in relationships or personal experiences, being less attached to your phone fosters more meaningful connections and presence Higher productivity: Tasks get done faster and with better focus Rediscovery of self: People have more time to reflect, pursue hobbies, and invest in personal growth - Inputs from Dhara Nahata, a teacher and counsellor One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
