Finding stillness is something most people rarely get to do — and a long plane journey is one of my favourite places to do exactly that. I know that sounds strange because most people absolutely hate them. Delays, cramped seats, airport queues, and six to eight hours stuck in one place does not exactly sound appealing. But that is exactly why I love it. For six to eight hours, I am forced to sit still. I cannot go anywhere, pop into work, run an errand, or squeeze in one more task. The decision has been made for me. I simply have to be.
In the modern world we are so caught up with doing things, going places, answering messages, and filling every spare minute that we have become human doings instead of human beings. I see it in my own life all the time. When I am in New York, there always seems to be something happening. During busy seasons there are multiple events, work commitments, and social plans all happening at once. There is always another place to be, another thing to do, another notification to check.
Finding Stillness in a World Built for Distraction
A long-haul flight removes all of that. I sit down, buckle up, and suddenly there is nowhere else I can be. I read a newspaper. I read a book. I watch a film from start to finish without reaching for my phone every five minutes. Somewhere between takeoff and landing, my brain finally slows down. And that has become increasingly rare.
The funny thing is that most of us do not need more productivity. We do not need another app, another life hack, or another way to squeeze more into the day. What we often need is the exact opposite — finding stillness, space, and a genuine pause. That is harder than it sounds when everything around you is designed to keep you busy.
What the Gym Teaches Us About Rest
The gym is actually a good place to learn this lesson. Progress happens during recovery, not just during training. Muscles do not grow while we are lifting weights — they grow while we rest. The same is true for our minds. According to research on mental recovery, chronic busyness without adequate rest impairs decision-making, creativity, and emotional regulation over time.
If we are constantly consuming, scrolling, rushing, and reacting, we never give ourselves the chance to process, reflect, or simply enjoy where we are. At our gym in Long Island City, we talk about recovery as part of training. The same principle applies to everything else in life. The output is only as good as the rest that supports it.
Three Simple Ways to Find More Stillness
You do not need to board a flight to start finding stillness. Here are three small things worth trying this week.
Put your phone away one hour before bed. No scrolling, no emails, no news. Give your mind a chance to slow down before sleep. This one change alone can meaningfully improve both sleep quality and how you feel the following morning.
Schedule non-negotiable alone time. Even 30 minutes. A walk, a coffee, sitting outside, or simply doing nothing. Put it in your calendar and protect it the same way you would any important appointment. If it is not scheduled, it does not happen.
Read a book instead of reaching for your phone. Ten pages a day is enough. The goal is not productivity — it is presence. The simple act of sustained, single-focus attention is something most of us have quietly lost and are better off rebuilding.
The world will keep moving. The emails will still be there. The notifications can wait. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is absolutely nothing at all. If finding stillness feels difficult right now, that is usually a sign it is exactly what is needed.
If you are looking for a place that takes recovery and the full picture of health seriously, we offer personal training and small group fitness in Long Island City built around that philosophy. Book a free intro session at Trinity Gym NYC and come have a conversation about where you are at.
Have a great weekend.
Seamus Keane, NASM CPT
Co-founder, The Trinity NYC
