Why Rest Doesn’t Need to Be Justified

Resting is often presented as an elusive luxury most people can’t afford. Between keeping the house clean, engaging in hobbies, answering all the emails, connecting with loved ones, drinking enough water, driving kids to activities, and 10-step skincare routines, there just doesn’t seem to be room for a break. 

On the other hand, resting “too much” can often inspire feelings of guilt and the concern of laziness. The demand for constant productivity means that taking a pause can put you behind, and rest becomes an admission of weakness. However, that mindset doesn’t eliminate the exhaustion; it just adds anxiety to the equation. 

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Rest Is A Response, Not Something That Is Earned

Recovery is necessary for physical, mental, and emotional well-being; it’s how we replenish what has been depleted. We don’t blame our phones for shutting off when the battery is at 0%; we know it has to be recharged to function. The same is true for us. Instead of viewing rest as a luxury or a sign of laziness, we can understand it as a vital process that allows us to restore energy, regulate our emotions, and maintain balance.

How to Tell When It’s Time to Rest

Sometimes the clearest indicator is resistance; everything starts to feel like a struggle, even things you usually enjoy. Instead of pushing through these signals, recognizing them as cues to pause can help you rest before burnout sets in, making recovery more effective and sustainable. Some signs of exhaustion can include:

• Forgetfulness
• Lack of focus
• Irritability
• Reduced digestive activity
• Headaches
• Constant fatigue

How To Start Making Rest Routine

Building rest into your routine starts with treating it as a non-negotiable part of your day rather than something you may squeeze in after everything else is done. Here are some tips to help you identify what is restful for you and prioritize it intentionally:

• ‍Identify which type of restoration you need. There are different types of rest than sleeping or lying down. Sometimes the rest you need might come in the form of a walk in a park, connecting with loved ones, engaging in a hobby, or just slowing down your movement.
• Schedule time to rest. Hoping to fit rest into an already busy schedule without a plan usually doesn’t work. Carve out intentional time for the rest that you need, and protect it, just like you would an important appointment.
• Some beats none. In an ideal world, there would always be enough time for sufficient rest. But sometimes, that just isn’t the case. If your only chance to close your eyes and breathe is during the 10-minute wait in the school pickup line, that’s 10 minutes of recharge you’ve given yourself. And that little boost can help carry you until the next time you have a break.
• Remember that rest is productive. Rest is not an absence of activity or “doing nothing.” It’s an active experience that gives you the capacity to do other things.

Sometimes, just a reframe around rest can help you start feeling more rested in daily life. If you feel like you could benefit from more support to make this a habit rather than a hope, please reach out to us! We have a great team of clinicians, all of whom can help you learn to get the rest you need and deserve, without it having to be “earned.”

This piece was written by Akilah Terry, a clinician on our team who draws from her work supporting clients in therapy.

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