I think the researcher (and probably a lot of the people engaging in this challenge) are missing one of the major benefits of these do nothing challenges. 4+ hours is excessive, but the main point is that modern life is just constant stimulation. From the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep it's just "input", news articles, social media content, TV shows. There is always something to consume.
Doing nothing for even just 15 minutes is a way to conciously stop consuming for a little bit.
I would also be interested to know about the researcher's relationship with their phone. If they aren't prone to doomscrolling it would probably be pretty hard to relate to the need/want to do nothing.
This is the Charlie Kirk argument against gun control, "I'm ok with a small number of gun deaths, it's a small price to pay for freedom". All well and good until you become one of those gun deaths.
Doing nothing for even just 15 minutes is a way to conciously stop consuming for a little bit.
I would also be interested to know about the researcher's relationship with their phone. If they aren't prone to doomscrolling it would probably be pretty hard to relate to the need/want to do nothing.