World Mental Health Day: Why Doing Less Could Be the Best Thing for Your Wellbeing
Eithne Hunt, one of our Senior Lecturers in Occupational Therapy, believes that taking time to pause may be one of the most valuable things we can do for our mental wellbeing. In a world of endless notifications, packed calendars and ever-growing to-do lists, it can often feel as though there is always something else demanding our attention. Rather than trying to fit more into each day, Eithne suggests focusing on getting more out of the activities we already do.
"Instead of constantly multitasking, try doing just one thing at a time," she says. "If you're walking somewhere, just walk. If you're waiting in a queue for a coffee or standing at a shop checkout, allow yourself to simply wait."
Creating these small moments of pause can help us reconnect with our surroundings, notice the people and places around us, and give our minds the opportunity to wander.
"Smile at people you meet, pay attention to what's happening around you, and make time for rest or even 'doing nothing'," she adds. "The thing is, it's not nothing at all. It's time well spent."
Research increasingly highlights the importance of rest and reflection for mental health, creativity and overall wellbeing. Taking a break from constant activity can help reduce stress, improve focus and create space for recovery. To learn more about the value of rest, readers can explore the RTÉ Brainstorm article, "Why rest is not doing nothing."
As we mark World Mental Health Day, perhaps the challenge is not to do more, but to give ourselves permission to do a little less.