Scientists have found that periods of “doing nothing” — when we stop deliberately focusing and allow our thoughts to wander freely — can help reduce stress and improve cognitive abilities. The news was reported by The Conversation.

The concept of “doing nothing” is central to Attention Restoration Theory (ART), proposed by psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in 1989. They distinguished between two types of attention: directed attention — which requires effort and concentration, such as when working or studying — and involuntary attention, when our focus is gently drawn by sounds of nature or movements around us without any conscious effort.

A lack of time for involuntary attention leads to “attention fatigue” — a state in which it becomes increasingly difficult to concentrate, and distractions capture us more quickly. In the past, moments of waiting at a bus stop or standing in line gave the brain a chance to “reset.” Now, smartphones fill every pause with an intense stream of information, leaving no space for rest.

Studies confirm that spending time in nature reduces activity in the amygdala — the brain region associated with stress and anxiety — improves mood, and enhances the ability to concentrate. Experiments show that even ten minutes of observing nature are enough to improve cognitive test scores and reduce attention fatigue.

You can test the theory yourself: choose a green space — a park, a waterfront, or a forest trail — and put your phone away. Even in daily life, instead of filling dull moments by scrolling through news feeds, you can let your thoughts wander freely.

According to researchers, this is “brain maintenance” — essential for keeping it functioning effectively.