The Essential Role of Rest in Supporting Mental Health

In a world that glorifies productivity and busyness, rest has become a radical act. We live in an overstimulated society—notifications constantly pinging, schedules overflowing, and a culture that often values doing over being. Amid this chaos, one truth quietly persists: rest is essential. Not a luxury. Not a reward. A necessity.

As Alex Soojung-Kim Pang writes in his book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less:

“Rest is not something that the world gives us. It’s never been a gift. It’s never been something you do when you’ve finished everything else. If you want rest, you have to take it. You have to resist the lure of busyness, make time for rest, take it seriously, and protect it from a world that is intent on stealing it.”

The Cost of Constant Stimulation

Our nervous systems are under siege. We’re bombarded by information, to-do lists, expectations, and self-imposed pressures. Our brains weren’t designed for this level of constant input—and over time, the cost becomes evident. Anxiety, burnout, emotional numbness.

We’re losing our ability to rest.

Many of us even feel guilty when we do take a break. Instead of true rest, we repurpose that time for self-improvement, productivity hacks, or catching up on tasks. Rest becomes another thing to optimize.

But here’s the hard truth: if we don’t allow ourselves to rest, our bodies and minds will eventually force it upon us—through illness, exhaustion, or emotional collapse.

Resting Means Facing What We’ve Been Avoiding

In my work with clients, I often ask a simple question:"What would you feel if you stopped doing everything—just for a moment?"

The answers are almost always the same:

Fear. Anxiety. Loneliness.

These emotions, though uncomfortable, hold valuable information. They tell us about what’s working in our lives—and what isn’t. They shine a light on our unmet needs, our hidden pain, and our longing for something more authentic.

But to feel them, we must first slow down.

Yes, rest can be uncomfortable. Yes, it can bring up feelings we’ve been avoiding. But that discomfort is often the first step toward healing. Toward clarity. Toward change.

Simplify to Rest Better

Recently, I attended a conference where Vishen Lakhiani, founder of Mindvalley, shared a message that stuck with me:Simplify. Let go of what’s unnecessary. Release the beliefs, commitments, and relationships that drain you.

You don’t need to do everything perfectly.You don’t need to constantly improve.You don’t need to earn your rest.

Here are a few ways to reclaim rest in your life:

• Create rituals. Morning coffee, evening walks, tech-free Sundays. Rituals create rhythm and reduce decision fatigue.

• Let go of “shoulds.” Ask yourself if each task or commitment is necessary—or just habitual.

• Rest isn’t only about holidays. Micro-moments matter: 10 deep breaths. A quiet meal. A phone turned off.

• Do things “good enough.” Perfection isn’t peace. Done is often better than ideal.

• Say no. To people, tasks, and patterns that feel heavy rather than nourishing.

Rest Is Resistance

Taking rest seriously is a form of resistance—against burnout culture, against the myth that our worth is tied to our output, against the idea that rest must be earned.

So here’s your reminder:

You are allowed to rest.

You are allowed to pause.

You are allowed to simply be.

Not later. Not someday. Now.