Your Relationship with Rest
Rest is not the absence of productivity - it's the foundation of it!
We live in a culture that treats rest like laziness and exhaustion like a badge of honour. We've been programmed to believe that our worth is measured by our output, so we push through tiredness, ignore our body's signals, and wear our busy schedules like armour.
But here's what I've learnt after years of studying energy: the most productive, creative, and impactful people aren't the ones who never stop. They're the ones who understand the profound power of intentional rest.
Rest isn't just about sleep (although quality sleep is crucial). Rest is about creating space for your nervous system to recalibrate, your mind to process, and your energy to replenish.
Here's how to revolutionise your relationship with rest:
Distinguish between rest and entertainment. Scrolling social media or binge-watching Netflix might feel restful, but they're actually forms of stimulation. True rest is about doing less, not consuming more.
Schedule rest like you schedule meetings. If it's not in your calendar, it won't happen. Block out time for rest and protect it as fiercely as you would any important appointment.
Practice micro-rests throughout your day. Take three deep breaths between tasks. Spend two minutes looking out the window. Stand up and stretch. These tiny rest moments prevent energy debt from accumulating.
Create rest rituals. Develop specific practices that signal to your body and mind that it's time to shift into rest mode. This might be changing into comfortable clothes, dimming the lights, or making herbal tea.
Give yourself permission to rest before you're exhausted. Waiting until you're completely depleted is like waiting until your car runs out of petrol to fill it up. Preventative rest is far more effective than crisis recovery.
Rest isn't earned through exhaustion - it's a fundamental human need. Your body is designed to work in cycles of effort and recovery, not constant output.
When you honour your need for rest, everything else improves. Your creativity increases, your decision-making sharpens, your patience expands, and your energy becomes more sustainable.
The most successful people I know have robust rest practices. They understand that rest isn't time lost - it's energy invested.
What's your current relationship with rest? How could you make rest a more intentional and valued part of your energy management strategy?
ENERGY CLUB UPDATES:
If you missed yesterday's podcast, listen here and explore the powerful "stop and start" framework. Ask what you've stopped doing and what you've started that's good for you, from setting boundaries to releasing stuff that no longer serves you. Acknowledging our growth is bloody essential because we're rubbish at celebrating the little changes that make a huge impact.