The Netherlands is regularly named one of the happiest countries in the world (it came in sixth place in the 2024 World Happiness Report, FYI). Ask a local why this is and they might point to the relatively stable economy or the many freedoms they’re granted by the government. In typical Dutch fashion, others might just scoff at the “happiest countries” honor and insist their country is far from joyous.
As an outsider living in the Netherlands, though, it’s hard to overlook the work-life balance the country is famous for. Working overtime is rare, time off is a legal right, and burnout is considered a legitimate reason for taking sick leave. Time away from work is an important part of Dutch life, and the ultimate flex is having control over your free time. If that were the case in every country, maybe we’d all be a little happier.
With that said, people in the Netherlands are — stereotypically speaking, at least — known to keep a jam-packed calendar of social outings, family get-togethers, and other events. A fun night out or girls’ brunch is often scheduled weeks in advance. With so much going on, it’s no wonder burnout leave is a thing.
No matter where you live, you might be able to relate. And that’s where the Dutch concept of niksen comes in.
Fast facts
- What is niksen? Niksen roughly translates to “doing nothing,” and, if you ask us, it’s basically a lazy girl’s dream
- Where does it originate? The Netherlands
- Related concepts: wu wei in China, dolce far niente in Italy, yohaku no bi in Japan
So, what exactly is niksen?
I moved to the Netherlands already familiar with the notion that most locals don’t make spontaneous plans, as if their agendas are overflowing and friends need to be placed on a waitlist. And while those busy schedules might be more than just a myth, I also quickly noticed as I walked around my neighborhood that people were lounging on their sofas after work or sitting on their balconies on the weekends. If I walked further to the main streets, I’d see people slowly sipping coffee on café terraces, not tending to work or productive tasks. Just being. Basically doing nothing.
That’s niksen. You can think of it as the antithesis of the elaborate, aesthetic self-care routines you see online (which have their time and place). More importantly, niksen is the antithesis of the go-go-go hustle culture that has many of us in a chokehold.
During niksen time, you’re not practicing self-care activities like journaling or meditating, and you’re certainly not brainstorming for a professional project or listening to a career podcast. There’s no objective or goal involved — niksen is nothingness that you enjoy simply for what it is.
The origins of niksen
The Netherlands isn’t the first place where people have given themselves permission to do nothing. Italy is known for its “dolce far niente” mentality, and China has a similar concept called wu wei. However, niksen might be the most relatable for those of us leading busy modern lives with a laundry list of to-dos.
Niksen isn’t thought to be deeply ingrained in Dutch culture. Instead, it’s a relatively new concept that has only gained attention in recent years (though, side note, there is a little Dutch proverb — “Niks moet niksen mag,” or “Nothing is required, doing nothing is allowed” — that uses the term). Ruut Veenhoven, Dutch sociologist and happiness researcher, told The Guardian, “Niksen is a media concept, like [the fabricated PR stunt] Blue Monday.” However, he added, “We are typically the most happy when we are active. And in modern society there are lots of nice things to do. As a result, we do a lot. The pace of life is higher than in non-western societies and the level of life satisfaction is also high and keeps rising. And yet … A side-effect is that we get into time pressure. And we dream of more relaxation.”
Put another way, niksen isn’t something Dutch people talk about all the time, nor is it an idea that people in the Netherlands are explicitly taught to do. Still, it’s an actual response to a real problem. The term “niksen” was brought into the contemporary Dutch lexicon to describe those times when you grant yourself space to relax and take a break from overstimulation and productivity. When given a name, doing nothing becomes intentional, rather than a lazy accident you later feel guilty for.
The benefits of doing nothing
Doing nothing might be enticing, yet it’s a hard sell in most output-focused cultures. But, trust us, the Dutch are onto something. First, there’s a paradox with niksen, which is that disconnecting from productivity actually helps you be more productive. A 2023 study found that small unstructured breaks significantly improved concentration during challenging tasks. A 2019 study on “wakeful resting” (such as sitting awake in a dark room) also discovered that relaxing between tasks promotes better memory and information retention.
And, as anyone who’s ever come up with a brilliant idea in the shower knows, you don’t need a study to prove that doing nothing boosts creativity. Letting your mind wander can help you come up with new ideas, reflect on lessons from the past, and make connections you wouldn’t have if you were busy scrolling through your phone or working on your side hustle.
Improving performance might be one socially acceptable reason for niksen-ing, but there are plenty of other benefits to the Dutch practice too. For one, relaxing without any defined goal or outcome can ease the pressure of everyday life. You might notice your stress levels dip and a newfound appreciation for the little things.
How to practice niksen
Doing nothing: It sounds so simple and yet oh so vague. What does it really mean to practice niksen? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Grab a seat outside a café and watch the world go by — and be sure to keep your phone and other distractions stashed in your bag!
- From the comfort of your own home, gaze out the window, noticing the birds and how the trees move in the breeze.
- Grab a blanket and head to the park for an afternoon of people-watching.
- Find a comfy spot to sit and just daydream.
- Go for an aimless walk and see where you end up. If you live in a car-heavy locale, try going for a drive to nowhere in particular instead.
- Take an extra long shower or bath, allowing your mind to wander while feeling the warm water.
- Designate an entire evening or weekend day to do nothing — no appointments, social events, or chores allowed!