It's Okay to REST!

Rest can be described as the act of stopping work or movement to relax, rejuvenate, or regain strength. Despite its apparent simplicity, achieving rest can be challenging in our fast-paced world. The constant demands on our time and energy, coupled with technological advancements and the pressures of contemporary life, leave many struggling to find equilibrium and suffering from physical and mental fatigue.

The repercussions of insufficient rest are significant and have been associated with a variety of health issues, including obesity, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and diminished cognitive abilities.

Our society often exalts productivity above all else, instilling the belief that success is attainable only through relentless effort. Rest is frequently viewed as a luxury at best or at worst only for the lazy, resulting in widespread feelings of being overwhelmed by the relentless pursuit of success. Yet, rest remains a vital necessity.

Tricia Hersey’s “Rest is Resistance” philosophy advocates for using rest as a means to reclaim control and restore balance in our lives. She portrays rest as a form of protest, a rallying cry, a guidebook, and a declaration for those of us yearning for freedom from the constricting hold of Grind Culture—a term that characterizes a work ethic centered on prolonged, hard work as the path to success. This culture is prevalent in business environments where employees are expected to demonstrate unwavering commitment to succeed professionally, often at the expense of leisure, relationships, and sleep.

In the realm of grind culture, productivity is deemed as the sole route to achievement, urging us to operate at an unsustainable, harmful pace to realize the American Dream. Rest is the beginning of restoration and recuperation. It is a process of overcoming guilt, shame, and fear to reclaim our bodies and time.

Take a moment. Breathe.

It’s okay to rest. By resting, we honor ourselves, allowing our minds, bodies, and spirits to replenish.

 “Rest is the Art of Doing the Work of Our Souls.”

 “Urgency is a myth that exploits our anxieties about the future.”

                                                                                                Tricia Hersey

Rest offers a chance for self-care, allowing us to contemplate what truly matters in our lives and to adopt fresh perspectives.

Rest transcends mere physical weariness; emotional health also demands regular intervals of rest to prevent burnout from the pressures of work, family, or personal connections.

There is a need to prioritize rest, to preserve our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and overall life quality.

We can start to regain our autonomy through restorative practices that reintroduce harmony into our lives.

The time has come to liberate ourselves from the constraints of Grind Culture.

It’s time to rest.

 

Photo by Abishek Subba on Unsplash