In today’s fast-paced world, getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives is easy. We’re constantly bombarded with messages about the importance of productivity and efficiency, making it difficult to take a step back and recharge our batteries. However, it’s important to remember that rest is crucial to our success.
Taking time to rest after working hard is essential for maintaining physical and mental health, and it can even improve our productivity and creativity in the long run. When we push ourselves too hard without giving ourselves time to recover, we run the risk of burnout, which can lead to decreased motivation, increased stress, and even physical illness.
Rest doesn’t necessarily mean doing nothing, though. Getting our rest can take many forms, from taking a nap or meditating, to engaging in hobbies or spending time with loved ones. Whatever form it takes, the important thing is that we prioritize rest as a necessary part of our lives.
So if you’ve been working hard lately, remember to give yourself permission to rest. Schedule time in your calendar for relaxation and self-care, and stick to it as you would any other important appointment. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to take on whatever challenges come your way, and you’ll be more likely to achieve success in overall.
The Bougie Professor - Dr. Cassandra Hawkins 
Great post! I completely agree that rest is crucial to our success and well-being. However, I’m curious to know, what advice do you have for those who struggle to take breaks due to their busy schedules? How can they prioritize rest effectively without feeling guilty about neglecting other responsibilities and tasks? Thank you.
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Hi! Thanks so much for reading the blog post. I believe it’s important to schedule breaks within your schedule. Even if the break is only five minutes, the quick mental rest helps to rejuvenate you. When you schedule rest into your day, you are reframing your thoughts about rest and prioritizing it.
One recommendation is to use the Pomodoro Technique. When you implement this technique, you schedule breaks after working for a specific time. For example, you take a five-minute break if you work consistently for 25 minutes. After doing this cycle maybe 4 times, you take a more extended break of maybe 30 minutes. The increments of time and the number of breaks are decided by you. I have blog posts about using this method and time blocking. Let me know if you need help on this topic.
Here are my tips for prioritizing rest and avoiding feeling guilty:
1. Focus on the importance of rest. By shifting your mindset, you start requiring rest as a component of your overall mental and physical health.
2. Practice self-compassion. Remember that you deserve to rest and implement self-care in your life. Be kind to yourself and recognize that it’s okay for you to rest and recharge.
3. Reframe your thinking about rest. Resting helps you refocus and be more productive. Instead of thinking of yourself as lazy when you decide to relax, think of it as recharging your body and mind to be the best version of yourself.
Let me know your thoughts on these suggestions.
-Cassandra
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Thanks for your thought provoking reply. I have dabbled with the Pomodoro method, but I get too many interruptions from others for this to work well for me. I have moved my work zone to a different room recently so this may now work. Because I’m happily retired the only work I do is for myself so I set my schedule and daily tasks. It also means that I do take the time to exercise and rest.
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