Sorry Not Sorry: Why Rest is Not a Dirty Word
How many times have you felt guilty for taking some time out to rest and relax?
Yup, I see you honey. It's tough not to feel like you should be tackling your to-do list instead of taking some much-needed "me time". And let's face it, it's even harder when the dirty dishes are staring you down and all you want is a glass of wine and Outlander's Jamie Fraser shirtless on repeat.
But guess what? It's time to shake off that guilt and embrace the power of rest. It's time to address this issue head-on and stop feeling bad for prioritising your own well-being. Because contrary to popular belief, rest isn’t lazy. It’s actually a vital part of the productivity cycle.
First off, let's talk about ditching the guilt like it's a bottle of cheap wine - it's not doing you any favors and life's too short for crappy wine. Guilt not only makes you feel shitty in the moment, but it also impacts your nervous system. Just like finishing that crappy bottle of wine that tastes like grape-juice leaves you with a bad hangover. It’s like double the punishment.
When you're constantly pushing yourself and not allowing yourself time to rest and recharge, you're putting your body into a state of chronic stress. This means that your sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for your body's "fight or flight" response, is constantly activated. Over time, this can lead to all sorts of health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression.
So why do you feel guilty for taking time to rest?
Well, you can thank our patriarchal society for that. Our society has conditioned us to believe that being busy and productive is the key to success. We're told that we should always be doing something and that taking time out for ourselves is lazy or selfish.
As women, we're often expected to take care of everyone else before ourselves. We’re praised and rewarded for being self-sacrificing, even to our detriment. There’s an expectation that to be the caregivers and the nurturers this is synonymous with being doormats.
But here's the thing, ladies. You can't pour from an empty cup. If you're not taking care of yourself, you're not going to be able to take care of anyone else either. So it's time to ditch the guilt and start prioritising your own well-being.
Here are three solutions to help you move through the guilt around rest:
Say "no" more often
You heard me. Learn to set boundaries and decline invitations or requests that don't align with your need for rest.
Remember, you don't have to do everything and be everywhere all the time. Saying "no" to some things means saying "yes" to yourself and your well-being.
Reframe rest as an investment
Rest isn't a luxury or a waste of time, it's an investment in yourself and your ability to be productive and present in other areas of your life.
When you take time to rest and recharge, you're actually setting yourself up for greater success in the long run. So, rather than feeling guilty about taking a break, view it as an essential part of your self-care routine.
Surround yourself with support
Talk to your friends and family about how you're feeling and ask for their support. Having a support system can help you stay accountable and make it easier to prioritise your own well-being.
Ready to revolutionise your rest and recharge your nervous system? Join The Rest Revolution - a free 5-day challenge designed for high-performing business and career women who want to prioritize rest and create new habits. Say goodbye to stress and hello to a happier, healthier you. Sign up now and join the revolution!
Ready to revolutionise your rest and recharge your nervous system?
Join The Rest Revolution - a free 5-day challenge designed for high-performing business and career women who want to prioritise rest and create new habits.
