The Importance of Resting (and Why We Avoid It)

When you're busy, there's nothing more difficult than getting good rest.

Carving out the time to wind down is hard enough - but actually relaxing when the clock is ticking and there's so much to do? Even trying to chill out can feel like a waste of time; one that may even leave you feeling more stressed than before you slowed down. If you struggle to slow down, you might feel overwhelmed by guilt and frustration when trying (unsuccessfully) to rest; not only are you failing to make progress on your to-do list, but you're also failing to relax enough to recharge your batteries 😵‍💫

Don't overthink it: Rest is good for you.

Whether you're taking breaks, switching into maintenance mode at work, napping, sleeping at night - or even sitting down for a simple meal, resting is proven to provide a wide range of benefits to health, focus, and overall wellbeing.

When stress levels are high, sometimes you need to get crappy rest before you can refresh your brain completely with deep rest. In this article, review the benefits of resting - and the most common reasons why you avoid it (even when you know you need it).

The Benefits Of Resting

If you've ever had a late night at work (or on a Zoom call) and found yourself wide-awake long after the sun has set, struggling to come down from it, you know first hand that resting isn't just about not working.

Resting is a process that your body goes through to recover and integrate new information. In the form of sleep, resting is essential for physical, psychological, and emotional health. Other forms of rest, including sleep, help to complete the stress response cycle, and regulate hormones that influence your mental energy.

Here are a few other benefits of resting:

  • Physical recovery: Resting allows the body to recover and restore after exercise¹

  • Injury prevention: Rest reduces the risk of physical injury and improves overall performance¹

  • Boosts brain function: Rest improves cognitive function, memory consolidation, and decision-making²

  • Resets your stress response cycle: Resting can complete the cycle that triggers your fight, flight, fawn or freeze response, winding you down from a heightened state of alertness.

  • Strengthens the immune system: Resting supports a healthy immune system and helps the body fight off illnesses and infections³

  • Balances cravings: Resting regulates hormones that control appetite, aiding in weight management⁴

  • Improves mood: Rest reduces irritability, regulates mood and decreases feelings of anxiety⁵

Most Common Reasons Why We Avoid Rest

You're probably thinking: I know rest is important! I just can't wind down when I need to. What's wrong with me?

It's a common theme. Despite knowing the importance of rest and its many benefits, many people avoid winding down like the plague. But why? Here are a few common reasons why you might be avoiding rest:

  • Excessive Light Exposure: In both the form of natural sunlight and artificial blue light emitted by screens, excessive light exposure can significantly disrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythm - leading to difficulties winding down throughout the day and getting to sleep at night.

  • Caregiving responsibilities: When you are the primary caregiver for children, elderly relatives, or even pets, your own needs often take a back seat.

  • Digital addiction: Unplugging can feel impossible when staying in constant engagement with screens.

  • Productivity guilt: If you find yourself measuring your value by how much you accomplish, you might struggle with guilt when you try to relax.

  • Social pressure: In communities that glorify hustle culture, rest is often seen as laziness or wasted time, creating discomfort for those who want to relax.

  • Intrusive thoughts: If you have anxiety, quiet moments can amplify stress and make you dread relaxation.

Understanding these barriers to rest is the first step in overcoming them. By acknowledging the pressures and internal dialogues that keep you from resting, you can begin to challenge them and make space for the restorative breaks that keep you balanced.

Tips for Getting Better Rest

Getting better rest isn’t just about spending more time sleeping; it’s about enhancing the quality of the rest you get throughout the day. By scheduling out your week, balancing high-energy activities with low-effort, and getting to know the types of rest that you enjoy most, you'll prepare your body and mind for needed downtime while ensuring that your active hours are more productive and fulfilling.

1. Get On A Sleep Schedule

Consistency is key when it comes to sleep. By going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, you condition your body to expect rest at specific times.

2. Slow Down

Easing into rest during the day with quieter activities like reading, cuddling, or gentle yoga can signal to your nervous system that it’s time to wind down.

3. Work With Your Ups and Downs

Aligning your daily activities with your natural energy levels can drastically improve how rested you feel.

4. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness can reduce stress by creating natural pauses around your daily activities when practiced regularly.

5. Experiment with Deep Rest

Exploring guided forms of rest such as yoga nidra or visualization can offer profound insight into your subconscious.