Rest Isn’t Laziness: Why Stillness is a Radical Act
There was a time in my life when I subscribed to our society’s mantra: PRODUCTIVITY.
AT ALL COSTS, in an extreme way.
I would go so far as to say that I was avidly dedicated to the cause. And indeed, it cost me a lot.
In 2014, I passed out driving my car to work at 22-weeks pregnant and was involved in a head-on collision. Fortunately, everyone was OK. After a short hospital stay, I was released back into the wild to resume my old habits. Years later, in 2019, I was hospitalized yet again – this time for rhabdomyolysis, a muscle-wasting condition that can cause kidney failure. I had been over-exercising, including hardcore strength training while recovering from a stomach virus. My illness was compounded by the exhaustion of having a 4-year-old and working 9-hour days without a break.
My body was desperately crying out for what it needed but I couldn’t sit still long enough to heed the call. I was addicted to doing more, being more, earning more, always feeling I needed to earn the right to rest.
Rest is Essential
Rest is a key component of our natural rhythm. When deprived of rest, our bodies begin to send signals to bring us back into a state of equilibrium. Sometimes they’re subtle, an afternoon yawn, maybe coupled with a craving for a 2PM espresso. If unnoticed, our bodies take more extreme measures – sending signals showing up in the form of illness, anxiety, depression, or in even hospitalization that forces us to rest. In a society that pushes us to be “always on”, heeding our body’s call is a radical act.
We must choose stillness, choosing to ignore the cacophony of voices that tells us rest is lazy. Choosing rest is not lazy. You are worthy of rest.
Numbing Out vs. True Rest
All rest is not created equal. We’re probably too familiar with the Netflix binge, an empty bottle of wine, or overindulgence in substances and behaviors that mimic relaxation but are actually a form of “numbing out”. If left unchecked, these behaviors compound our rest deficit, leaving us more depleted. When we find ourselves in a state of perpetual depletion, noticing our patterns (without judgement) is a great place to start. We’re more likely to numb out in times when we’ve ignored our body’s signals for too long. Three hours of mindless scrolling isn’t shameful – it’s valuable information. Our nervous system may simply be saying: “Hey, I’m REALLY stressed over here. Can you help?” These observations allow us to make better decisions about what our body needs. Self-care should feel restorative and intentional, rather than disconnected or numbing.
Habits for True Rest
Replacing unhealthy habits with a real re-charge is a skill we can cultivate. In my case, heeding my body’s call means choosing movement that nurtures my nervous system over compulsive exercise that depletes it. Gentle practices like restorative yoga give us that opportunity. Unlike Vinyasa or Hatha yoga, restorative yoga is a series of supported asanas (postures) that aim to relieve stress. In restorative yoga we utilize props like bolsters, straps, and blocks to support passive stretching. In contrast, vinyasa yoga is fast-paced and active. It incorporates mostly dynamic stretching.
Mini Moments to Reset
If the thought of dedicating an hour of your day to rest seems impossible, begin with mini moments of rest. Remember: scheduling time to check-in with ourselves is essential. It regulates our nervous system, giving a rhythm to our day that resembles a rolling wave instead of a continuous climb and sharp crash.
Resilience, Not Weakness
Resting cultivates resilience in both our body and mind. While productivity is not always the goal, we’re often more productive during work hours if we show up feeling rested. The radical act of choosing rest allows us to show up in alignment with our natural rhythm – one that we are all intrinsically worthy of.
