Why Rest is Productive (Seriously!)
Hustle culture seems to have taken over the world, at least that’s what social media would have us believe. Everywhere you look people are patting themselves on the back for juggling work, school, family life, social obligations, and a never-ending to-do list. “Sleep is for the weak” has become a mantra that people live by and rest is now seen as being lazy. Isn’t that wild? Resting, an essential part of our survival, has been deemed unnecessary.
Giving yourself time and space to rest and relax isn’t a reward for intense productivity; it’s a necessary part of our survival. Rest is actually a big part of the process of being productive. I know, it's insane to think that taking a break does not defeat the purpose of productivity but actually enhances your ability to be productive. Let’s unpack that and talk about why you shouldn’t feel guilty for taking time to rest.
Rest Recharges Your Mind
Have you ever noticed how much harder it is to concentrate when you’re running on empty? It’s like no matter how hard you try, you just cannot seem to focus on the task at hand. That happens because your brain needs time to recover and reset to function at its best. When you allow yourself time to rest—whether that’s doing some yoga, meditating, or even just sitting quietly taking deep breaths—you’re giving your brain a break from downloading information and providing a space for it to process information.
Research has shown that rest is essential for boosting creativity and problem-solving abilities. When you take a break from a task, your brain will continue processing information in the background. This allows space for your brain to make new connections and for new insights to emerge. This explains why many of your great ideas come to you while you’re relaxing, taking a walk, or even daydreaming. So the next time you feel stuck, resist the urge to force a solution and instead allow yourself time to take a break and relax. You’d be surprised how quickly inspiration can strike once you’ve given your brain the space it needs to reset.
Your Body Needs Recovery Time
We’ve talked a lot about your brain, but rest isn’t just about your mind—your body benefits too. When you’re constantly pushing yourself to be productive or continuously stay on task, you’re putting stress on your muscles, your immune system, and your overall health.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” Although this phrase often feels repetitive, there is so much truth to it! If you’re not giving yourself enough time to recover, you’ll eventually experience burn out, and no amount of caffeine or self-discipline or willpower can save you from that. Scheduling your rest days can help you be absolutely sure that your body has a chance to repair and rebuild itself. Look at your schedule and see where you can schedule a rest day this week!
Mental Health and Rest
Let’s be real: not getting enough rest can cause absolute chaos on your mental health. Chronic stress and burnout can lead to anxiety, depression, and even physical symptoms like headaches or gut issues. Rest is one of the most powerful tools you have to combat these symptoms.
When you allow yourself time and space to really rest, you’re showing yourself care and compassion. You’re acknowledging that you are human and telling your body and your brain that it’s okay to not be "on" all the time or constantly in productivity mode. Not only that, rest helps you regulate your mood and lower your cortisol (the stress hormone) levels. What does that mean exactly? It means you feel calmer, happier, and more in control.
Rest is Productive—Here’s Why
Still not convinced? Well then let’s flip the script. Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity; it’s actually part of the productivity process. Let’s put it this way: when you’re well rested, you have more energy, better focus, and increased creativity. This means you’re able to show up as the best version of yourself, whether that’s at work, in your relationships, or while pursuing your goals.
It’s like sharpening a knife. If you keep cutting with a dull blade, it’s going to take what seems like forever to get the job done. But if you take a break and give yourself the time to sharpen the blade, or rest,, you’ll cut through that to-do list so much faster and with less effort. It’s about working smarter not harder, friends!
Make Rest a Priority
If rest feels way too overwhelming or foreign for you, that’s okay! New doesn’t have to be scary, you can start small. Here are a few some ways to incorporate more rest into your life little by little::
Take micro-breaks. Step away from your screen for 5-10 minutes every hour to reset. Setting timers can be helpful for this!
Practice mindfulness. Take 2-5 minutes to practice deep breathing every hour. (If every hour seems too overwhelming, start by taking a few minutes for deep breathing when you feel the tension and stress rising in your body.)
Schedule downtime. Put it on your calendar so you don’t skip it.
Prioritize your sleep. Try to aim for 7-9 hours a night—your future self will thank you. (You can start small here too, go to bed 15 minutes early tonight, then 30 minutes early tomorrow, and so on and so forth.)
Unplug. Give yourself permission to disconnect from technology and recharge. This will help you mentally AND physically! Even just 5-10 minutes to disconnect can make a world of difference, you’ll see!
Rest Without Guilt
To be totally honest, I used to feel so guilty for taking time to rest. I used to think it meant I was lazy and not disciplined or motivated. I have since learned that that is completely untrue. If you’re like me, rest will feel uncomfortable at first. It might bring some anxiety with it at first, that is normal! Resist the urge to stop resting, remind yourself that you need and DESERVE this time to rest and reset. This is part of you taking care of yourself. When you take care of yourself, you show up more powerful, confident, and full of drive and purpose.
Go ahead, give yourself permission to rest! You deserve it and you are worthy of rest. What can you do today that will help you to prioritize rest?!