For many of us, the New Year brings a fresh slate for making resolutions, but this year, why not try throwing off the yoke of overwork instead? It's time to acknowledge that in our culture of constant striving, rest is often seen as self-indulgent and lazy. However, rest isn't about being inactive; it's about giving yourself more energy.
Experts say that rest is essential for functioning at our highest level of capacity, and pushing through feelings of tiredness can lead to lower-quality work. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician and author of Sacred Rest, explains that rest is not just physical but also emotional, mental, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual.
So, how do we incorporate more rest into our lives? It starts with recognizing what kind of rest we need and taking it seriously. For some, this means setting boundaries between work and non-work time or using a schedule that allows for deep focus periods followed by breaks. Others may require more emotional support from loved ones to help them prioritize their wellbeing.
The key is to enlist others in our efforts to rest. Dr. Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout, shares how her twin sister helped her find the strength to prioritize her own rest and wellbeing. Experts agree that surrounding ourselves with people who care about our well-being can be a powerful way to resist the pressure to sacrifice everything for work.
By taking rest seriously and enlisting others for help, we can start to break free from the stress Olympics – where the busiest person wins gold. Instead, let's learn to value rest as the ultimate prize: more energy, creativity, and joy in our lives.
Experts say that rest is essential for functioning at our highest level of capacity, and pushing through feelings of tiredness can lead to lower-quality work. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician and author of Sacred Rest, explains that rest is not just physical but also emotional, mental, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual.
So, how do we incorporate more rest into our lives? It starts with recognizing what kind of rest we need and taking it seriously. For some, this means setting boundaries between work and non-work time or using a schedule that allows for deep focus periods followed by breaks. Others may require more emotional support from loved ones to help them prioritize their wellbeing.
The key is to enlist others in our efforts to rest. Dr. Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout, shares how her twin sister helped her find the strength to prioritize her own rest and wellbeing. Experts agree that surrounding ourselves with people who care about our well-being can be a powerful way to resist the pressure to sacrifice everything for work.
By taking rest seriously and enlisting others for help, we can start to break free from the stress Olympics – where the busiest person wins gold. Instead, let's learn to value rest as the ultimate prize: more energy, creativity, and joy in our lives.
i'm like totally exhausted just reading this! i feel like we've been conditioned to think that if we're not constantly pushing ourselves, we're not doing enough 
but honestly, idk how people keep going on fumes all the time...i need more naps lol. and can we talk about how hard it is to say no to work? i mean, my friends are always like "what's wrong, you're not busy?" and i'm like *sigh*...anyway, i think taking rest seriously is like, super key 
gotta prioritize our own wellbeing, not just for ourselves but also for those around us who care about us 
. I mean, who says we need to be constantly productive? I've noticed that when I take a break from social media, I actually feel more energized and focused 
. It's like my brain is saying "okay, finally, some peace and quiet!" 
. Like, what's wrong with taking time for myself? Can't I just recharge my batteries without feeling guilty about it? 
It's funny how we're always expected to put others first, but not ourselves 
.
. We need to start valuing our mental health just as much as our physical health 
. Maybe then we'll see a shift in how society views work-life balance... a girl can dream, right? 
. Rest is like fuel for our minds and bodies - it allows us to recharge and come back stronger and more creative.
. Who's with me? 
... although that does sound pretty great right now! But seriously, it's about prioritizing your mental health too. I mean, have you ever noticed how everyone around you seems to be running on empty while you're trying to put out fires at work? 
It's time we start valuing rest as much as productivity. For me, that means saying no to extra hours or taking a break in the middle of the day just because someone needs something. My kids can attest that I'm more present and patient when I'm not burning the candle at both ends 
I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all for taking a break every now and then, but is it really necessary to make it a big deal? Like, what's the harm in just working hard and pushing through exhaustion? 
It sounds like some people are trying to turn rest into an excuse to not do anything productive. 
It sounds like this rest thing is all about creating more time for ourselves, but isn't that just code for procrastination? 
It's not about being lazy, it's about being intentional with your energy 
.
. And can we please ditch the stress Olympics mentality where everyone's competing in who's most burnt out? 
Let's value rest as the ultimate prize, like you said! More energy = more creativity = more joy 
it's so refreshing 2 read about someone talkin' about prioritizin rest over productivity tho 
we need 2 recognize that burnout is NOT just a personal problem, but also a societal one 
but what if instead of tryin 2 crush it, we just took a deep breath & said "enough"? 
all the time! Like, my brain is literally screaming for me to slow down, but no one gets it - they're all just like "get more done" and "you're not trying hard enough". 
I mean, have you ever felt like you're constantly running on fumes? 
. Like, have you ever felt stuck on a project because you're just exhausted mentally? Taking breaks and doing something relaxing can actually help me come back to my work with fresh eyes 
.
. My friends are always like "what's up?" when I'm in the zone studying for hours 
. But I think that's the key - finding people who respect my need for rest too 
.
. I love the idea of setting boundaries and enlisting people who care about us in our self-care journey 
! like, school is so stressful already and we're expected to be always on top of things... but honestly, have you seen what happens when we burn out? 
where we get to relax, play some games, and just chill without our phones... it's gonna be so refreshing! 
I feel like we're so burnt out from trying to be perfect all the time! Rest is literally just giving your body/mind a chance to recover, you know? 
. Our bodies are like cars - they need fuel, maintenance, and rest or else they'll break down 
. Rest isn't lazy, it's necessary 
. If I'm being totally honest, setting boundaries between work and non-work time is a total game-changer for me 
. And having people around who support and care about my wellbeing makes all the difference 
when u take care of yerself, u become more productive & creative 
i feel like we're always being told to push through no matter what but honestly sometimes just taking a break can be so liberating 
!