
Often, the Best Way to Move Forward Is to Stop
The Power of Doing Nothing By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist
Often, the best way to move forward is to stop.
Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is nothing.
Not permanently—just temporarily
To pause.
To breathe.
To allow space for recalibration.
Rest, pause and reflection are not just rewards for completing our to-do list.
They are part of balanced and sustainable functioning.
Cognitive psychology and neuroscience show that intentional rest supports clearer thinking, emotional regulation, and nervous system recovery.
It helps lift mental fog, reduce overwhelm, and restore motivation.
When we take a pause, we often return with more clarity, perspective, and capacity.
So if you’re feeling tired or fatigued—
You may not need to try harder.
You may need to stop.
Just for a while.
The Power of Doing Nothing
Practice striking a balance between persistence and pause
Intentionally doing nothing between the busyness isn’t laziness—it’s taking essential time out to just be, and allow the organism that is us to relax and reset.
Doing nothing is restorative.
It’s space to feel, to reflect, to simply be.
In that space, healing happens.
Insight arises.
And energy returns.
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References:
- APA: Enhancing daily well-being at work through lunchtime park walks and relaxation exercises: Recovery experiences as mediators.https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-14084-001?_ga=2.204664473.800996006.1683833471-1687412187.1681156814
- Scandinavian Journal of Work and Organisational Psychology: Assessing the effect of relaxation exercises and park walking during workplace lunch breaks on physiological recovery
- Very Well Mind: How to Take a Break frohttps://www.verywellmind.com/why-you-should-take-a-break-3144576m Work (and Why You Need To) https://www.verywellmind.com/why-you-should-take-a-break-3144576
- Harvard Health: Understhttps://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-responseanding the stress response