‘Dolce far Niente’ is a famous Italian adage that literally translates to ‘the Sweetness of doing nothing’ — the simple but forgotten art of detaching oneself from the drudgeries of daily life and savour a moment or two. The idea may seem even more alien to those born in the age of communication overload that has ostensibly blurred the lines between work and life.  

Since there’s only so much time in a day, we are often left with no options but to cut our leisure time short to accommodate matters of seemingly greater significance. It’s not uncommon to think that leisure time and higher goals and purposes cannot co-exist together, informs Dr Nahid Dave, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, adding how this can often lead to neurological illnesses, like burnout. For Dr Anindita Roy, a counselling psychologist, it’s important for a person to understand the detrimental effect of constant physical and mental rush. Countless studies have proved the positive correlation between downtime and physical and psychological well-being. But with busy schedules, back-to-back calls, and a work culture that constantly glorifies multitasking, how does one do that? Experts suggest effective ways of reclaiming your leisure time: 

Borrow Time From Other Activities 

As obvious as it may sound, the first step is to understand where you’re spending the majority of your waking hours. To accomplish this, Dr Dave advises that you make two distinct pie charts. In the first one, each slice will be a visual representation of the amount of time you’re currently spending on a particular activity on a daily basis. The second pie-chart is to understand how you’d ideally want to spend your day.  

Since you can’t really create time, maybe there’s scope to borrow it instead, from less consequential activities for your leisurely pursuits. “This activity will help you understand the time you want to cut from the first pie chart to increase the slice in the second,” says Dave. 

Make Your Own Space  

It’s important to have a fixed space to call your own, which doesn’t remind you of work or other such necessities. If you are working from the bedroom, it isn’t the most calming place to wind down. “Always have an assigned area at home where you can participate in activities you connect with,” suggests Dr Roy. “Many men are sceptical about using scented candles, plants, or warm lighting, but these things really produce a soothing effect. It’s also important not to have any form of gadgets in your assigned area for relaxation,” she adds. 

Let Go Of Guilt 

In an age where hustling and grinding have become a default mode of existence, one often feels guilty about not spending time in a purposeful way. If an activity doesn’t lead to some kind of growth, it’s not worth pursuing. “We’re already living with a lot of guilt,” says Dr Roy. 

But spending time doing nothing or something just for the sake of it is not synonymous with killing time. In fact, it’s to the contrary, notes Dr Dave. “Indulging in such activities on a regular basis often gives us a much-needed time to replenish ourselves, prevents us from burnout, and helps us work with even greater fluency,” she explains. 

Learn To Say No 

It’s important to be assertive about your schedule. If you are the kind of person who always has a hard time saying no to someone’s request, you’ll rarely have time for yourself. Being honest always comes with baggage, but it’s also the most effective way to save yourself from unnecessary commitments.  

“The lack of assertiveness often stems from low self-esteem,” she points out. “If you’re struggling to say no, you need to understand the source of this struggle, and then work on it.” By saying no to obligations that don’t align with your well-being, you can free up more time and save energy. 

Stay Away From Gadgets 

Aimlessly scrolling through your phone in your free time isn’t the same as relaxing. It adds to your tiredness and always disrupts your circadian rhythm. “Recreation arrives only when the motion of your body and mind comes to a halt,” shares Dr Roy, adding how binge-watching your favourite shows can often lead to exhaustion, not refreshment. It’s important to stay away from any form of gadgets during your designated time for leisure and recreation.