The world is full of strategies and “hacks” for squeezing the most productivity out of every minute of our lives. But what if this constant push to fit more tasks into each day is, in fact, counterproductive? What if our desperate attempts at multitasking and maximizing our schedules are doing us more harm than good?

In the nine lectures of Slow Down: How Doing Nothing Makes Us Better Humans, Constance Kassor, of Lawrence University in Wisconsin, shows you how to do what so many of us desperately need: Take a step back, reassess your priorities, and take some time for yourself. Each lecture focuses on an area in which you can learn how to form better habits, striking a balance between what needs to be done and what you need to thrive. These areas include getting better sleep, cultivating relationships, engaging in creative tasks, incorporating mindfulness into your everyday routine, and much more.

Too often, we sacrifice our health, our well-being, and our happiness to meet unrealistic goals. The purpose of this course is not to increase productivity or rebuild a hectic schedule from the ground up. Rather, it is to help you slow down—even if it’s only for a moment—and be present in your life and aware of your own needs. As you will discover, when you can intentionally make space to do a little bit less, you can do work that is more meaningful, have relationships that are more fulfilling, and have a body and mind that are both healthier overall.