Rest – an act of productivity

Rest: to cease from action or motion : refrain from labor or exertion. 3. : to be free from anxiety or disturbance. 4. : to sit or lie fixed or supported.

It’s interesting how life has become a constant, result driven, target based, fast paced hamster wheel of activity.

Fascinating how amid all our work commitments, home lives, families, social obligations and personal ambitions there always seems to be one more thing to do. That on the days we are given a ‘holiday’ we are invited to use it to ‘do something good,’ which often takes us out of our homes, away from our loved ones and uses as much or more energy than our everyday lives.

According to a Glassdoor (one of the biggest employer review websites) in their recent survey, around three-quarters (72%) of employees in Britain in full-time employment viewed annual leave as an effective method to lessen burnout. Nevertheless, many workers did not make full use of their holiday allocation. Only 60% of employees used their full holiday allowance in the previous year.

UK employee reports of burnout have skyrocketed to record levels in the past year. A recent study by Glassdoor’s economic researchers, which analyzed more than 382,000 employee reviews revealed that the reports of burnout among British workers increased by 48% to record levels.

I love the quote floating around these days that says – ‘When you are tired, learn to rest not to quit.’ What a simple, organic solution to one of our most prominent issues in this modern age.

Rest improves brain function, increases energy levels, boosts one’s mood, balances blood sugar, makes for healthier hearts, supports weight control and simply does the body good.

Sometimes, the best solution is actually the simplest. When stressed and pondering how to navigate the growing demands for more time, attention, activities, qualifications, and output, the answer may just be, for a season, to do less and rest.

Malikia