In a world of constant digital notifications, a new social media trend encouraging people to embrace boredom is gaining traction for its surprising mental health benefits. The 'do nothing' challenge, where participants film themselves sitting idly without any screens or books, is being championed by experts as a powerful antidote to modern anxiety.
The Science Behind Stillness
According to Niro Feliciano, a psychotherapist who specialises in anxiety, our minds are in a perpetual state of activity, fuelled by a constant stream of digital information. In an interview with Today.com, Feliciano explained that this new challenge forces people to “train their minds to be still,” a practice that yields significant positive changes in the brain and body.
She detailed how checking notifications provides our brains with a boost of dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone. This reinforcement creates a craving for more, making it difficult to tolerate stillness. “We almost go into withdrawal without the dopamine,” Feliciano stated, highlighting our dependency on digital stimulation.
Maximising the Mental Health Benefits
The trend helps to reduce anxiety by eliminating social media, which directly counters the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). For the most profound impact, Feliciano suggests an important modification: perform the challenge without filming it or posting the video online. This ensures you are fully detached from your phone, allowing for genuine mental rest.
For those who find the concept of sitting still challenging, Feliciano recommends starting small. Simple acts like staring out of a window for a few minutes or taking a longer shower can be an introduction. She actively encourages people to daydream and let their minds wander freely.
Practical Tips for a Digital Detox
If completely disconnecting from your phone is not feasible due to work or school commitments, you can still reap the rewards of the challenge. Feliciano advises the following steps to minimise digital intrusion:
- Silence all phone notifications.
- Switch your phone to greyscale mode to make the screen less visually appealing.
- Keep your phone away from your bed while sleeping.
By creating these boundaries, you can cultivate moments of stillness in a hyper-connected world, training your brain to find peace without a constant drip-feed of dopamine.
