Why rest is not a reward

“Once I get this all done, then I can relax.” Is this something you have heard yourself say recently? This belief may be more subtle than the statement; an expectation exists that rest is something that is done “after”. It comes to us from all angles. From the “hustle” culture of self-employment, the “we are a family” culture of an overworked and under-resourced workplace, to the gendered expectations of parenting being self-less, and sleep is laziness. Today, I want to talk about why rest is not, and should never be, a reward.

 

Not only shouldn’t it be a reward, but it also needs to be considered the backbone of actually getting things done. It makes sense to those who exercise and train to incorporate “rest days” into their schedule. We, parents, can see, first hand, the emotional impact of our children not resting enough (hands up who have fought to stop their toddler from dropping their afternoon nap). We can see all the benefits of having time to recuperate. So, when did we stop giving ourselves the same level of care and understanding?

 

We see it in the schooling system; the 100% attendance awards reward presenteeism and not looking after our needs. Next, when we move into the world of work we often work when ill (which has been aggravated by the much-needed ability to work from home) Those of us who have stepped into self-employed are often plagued by the non-stop notifications that our socials and emails can create. None of this gives anyone the capacity to take a step back to get the rest when they need it.

 

This is not just a culture or wellbeing issue. If you are reading this wearing any type of leadership hat, it’s actually productivity. Having this belief, yourself, and demonstrating it through your behaviours, policies and deadlines, you are negatively impacting yourself and your team. In reality, creating space and building expectations for rest will help you, and everyone else, work better. That’s not just me speaking, the research tells the tale:

 

• Allowing people to create their own routine based on their energy levels leads to more creative ideas (which are even better uncovered when walking outside!)
• Working longer isn’t better for anyone; it actually leads to stress, burnout, disengagement from work and wipes out creativity and engagement.
• Even when you think you aren’t doing anything, the brain is processing – it’s working on the things that really matter. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang of the University of Southern California and her co-authors argue that when we are resting (not processing the countless amount of information we have to process in modern times) the brain settles into a period where it leans into mental processes that “affirm our identity, develop our understanding of human behaviour and instil an internal code of ethics.” 

 

 

To help you move this concept into your reality, let me share with you four ways to make rest a part of your routine.

 

 

Decide what rest you need.

Rest is not always sleep, although this is non-negotiable every day. Rest is not always a passive process, but can be an active, energy-giving exercise that still gives you the restorative benefits you need. Find out more about the seven types of rest you can factor into your life.  

 

 

 How to rest with responsibilities

We do not want to crash and burn, as that is no good for us, or those around us. When you have other responsibilities there is a very real need to balance the needs of others with our own. Now you have named the type of rest you need, we want to consider how we can make this a regular thing; be it daily, weekly or regularly. Making it as part of your routine as other elements is key, and this blog will help you see how.

As part of this, consider how to build some “early interventions” into your day, when you have to carry on during difficult, stressful or overwhelming times. There may be moments when you feel overwhelmed by the senses that are involved in parenting, lack of sleep or the life admin that we have!

 

How to find a wellbeing focused work environment

There is only so much you can control and influence; something the work environment has fundamental cultural and structural issues that mean rest is encouraged as the end goal. Everyone deserves a career to enjoy not endure, and a place that doesn’t encourage your wellbeing is a warning sign that mustn’t be ignored. When you are considering making some changes in work, you want to make sure you aren’t jumping out of the fire pan into the fire, so start with understanding what is important to you, and then find out the questions you can ask prospective employers. 

 

How to give yourself a break

You may find physically resting is a regular option for you, yet your mind is constantly whirring with ideas, to-lists and worries. It’s been shown that, on average, our internal monologue is the equivalent of talking at a rate of four thousand words a minute. So it’s no surprise that we can feel exhausted, even when it looks like we are resting. You may find that your work or home (or both) environment has encouraged you to always be on the go. I confess that I was part of this problem once; working in recruitment I would always look for people who could multi-task. That became the performance standard. But now I know better. Try to be more singular in your actions; even when you rest! Not only plan your rest but plan your thinking time. It’s not about pushing this to the side, it’s about revisiting it when you have more energy, and the capacity to problem-solve!

 

 

Simply, to be the worker, entrepreneur, leader, parent, partner and friend you want to be, you need to make rest a priority. Which of these tips will you take on board to help you rest more? Come over to Creating Careers to Enjoy (when you are ready, of course) and share your thoughts!