The Art of Doing (Almost) Nothing
Six simple, high-impact ways to stay calm when life – or the weather – gets intense
When you think “self-care”, do you imagine 5 a.m. wake-ups, ice baths, and those “optimized morning routines” you see on social media? And do those things sound like… maybe not the most fun or kindest way to treat yourself?
It doesn’t have to be so hard.
You don’t need an elaborate wellness setup to bring yourself back to center. Hell, you can do it without even changing out of your sweatpants.
Welcome to your low-effort guide to nervous system regulation.
The rules are simple:
1. Lie Down Like You Mean It
Horizontal is underrated.
When you lie on your back – and especially if you put a pillow under your knees – you’re giving your body a clear signal: we’re safe now. Lying down slows your heart rate, lowers cortisol, and encourages your body to switch into parasympathetic mode (that’s the “rest and digest” state your nervous system craves).
Want to turn it into a mini-practice? Put one hand on your chest, one on your belly, and pay attention to your breath. Feel the air moving in and out of your nose. Feel the hand rise and fall on your belly… and if you don’t, send that breath deeper.
Even five minutes like this can be a full-body reset. Set a timer and see.
2. Soak, Steam, or Warm Up from the Inside
In summer, we float. In fall and winter, we soak.
A warm bath or steamy shower can have the same effect on your nervous system as floating in water. The warmth helps your blood vessels dilate, reduces muscle tension, and triggers relaxation responses throughout the body.
Don’t have time for a bath? You know I have an alternative for you.
Make a cup of coffee or tea, close your eyes, breathe in the warmth/scent/steam through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. It’s surprisingly grounding – and very seasonally on brand.
3. Hum, Sing, or Vibrate (Badly Is Fine)
Humming is basically a free vagus nerve massage. The vibration from your vocal cords stimulates the vagus nerve and sends your brainstem an “all good here” message.
So, you know what to do.
You don’t need talent for this one. Just sound.
You can hum while making dinner, brushing your teeth, or waiting for your computer to reboot. Bonus points if you hum along to something deeply nostalgic – think ‘90s playlists or holiday songs you secretly love.
If you want to feel the effect more deeply, close your eyes and notice the buzz in your lips, chest, and throat. The more you feel it, the stronger the signal to your nervous system.
4. Try Humming Bee Breath (Bhramari)
When plain humming isn’t cutting it, go for an upgrade. Humming bee breath (Bhramari in yoga) combines breath control with vibration for a serious nervous system downshift.
Here’s how:
Sit or lie down comfortably.
Inhale through your nose.
Exhale with a long, low hum, like a bee buzzing.
Dial it up: Cover your ears lightly with your fingertips and press on your tragi (the cartilage that stick into your ear) with each exhale
Dial it up more: Cover your tragi lightly with your thumbs and rest your fingertips on your eyelids.
Repeat 4–6 times.
It’s simple, oddly soothing, and remarkably effective when you’re feeling overstimulated.
5. Lower the Lights (and the Noise)
Shorter days can throw your internal clock out of sync, which can leave your nervous system working overtime.
When your brain senses lower light, it starts producing melatonin, the natural “chill pill” hormone. So if your day starts to feel overstimulating – too many screens, too much noise, too much 2025 – dim the lights, close a few tabs, or put your phone on “Do Not Disturb.”
Pair it with something that cues comfort: a weighted blanket, a mellow playlist, or even a cool washcloth over your eyes. Your brain gets the hint fast.
6. Don’t Do Everything. Do Something.
The quickest way to overwhelm your nervous system is to try to “fix” it with a 12-step routine.
You don’t need a full hour or a perfect plan. You just need one action that tells your body it’s safe. One moment of I’ve got me.
Maybe it’s a sigh. Maybe it’s one slow exhale. Maybe it’s humming through your commute or lying down for two minutes before your next call.
Regulation isn’t about effort. It’s about consistency.
And when you find what works for you – the thing that helps you reset, however small – it becomes less of a “lazy” option and more of a smart strategy.
So take the five minutes. Lie down. Hum. Soak. Dim the lights.
And think about this: you’re not opting out – you’re opting in to balance, calm, and clarity.
You’re not slacking. You’re regulating. Like a pro.
Last Gasp
“It’s not that I’m lazy, it’s that I just really enjoy doing nothing.”
— Inspired by Peter Gibbons, Office Space
💌 If you like doing (almost) nothing, you’ll love what’s coming.
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