The overlooked art of rest
The overlooked art of rest
The overlooked art of rest
A high performer’s not so secret sauce
Consider yourself a high performer? If so, then embracing the practice of rest should be at the top of your priority list, in whatever way that works for you.
Many of us, myself included, have been ingrained with the belief that work precedes all else. It's a narrative that starts early in life, shaping our identities and perpetuating the idea that to achieve anything, we must work tirelessly otherwise we are considered unproductive. But this relationship with work is toxic—it's akin to being addicted to a drug, constantly seeking the next fix.
In one of my last team building workshops with an international sales team on burnout and characteristics of high performing teams, I asked how many of them have fallen sick on first day of vacation - All hands went up. All fifteen team members shared the same anecdote with a hint of resignation in their smiles.
A high performer’s not so secret sauce
Consider yourself a high performer? If so, then embracing the practice of rest should be at the top of your priority list, in whatever way that works for you.
Many of us, myself included, have been ingrained with the belief that work precedes all else. It's a narrative that starts early in life, shaping our identities and perpetuating the idea that to achieve anything, we must work tirelessly otherwise we are considered unproductive. But this relationship with work is toxic—it's akin to being addicted to a drug, constantly seeking the next fix.
In one of my last team building workshops with an international sales team on burnout and characteristics of high performing teams, I asked how many of them have fallen sick on first day of vacation - All hands went up. All fifteen team members shared the same anecdote with a hint of resignation in their smiles.
Among many other things, the lack of rest drives burnout and not the stress. Research* supports this notion, highlighting the detrimental effects of chronic work overload. Without adequate opportunities for rest, recovery, and balance, burnout becomes inevitable.
*National Library of Medicine - Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry
IT'S NOT THE STRESS THAT DRIVES BURNOUT, IT'S THE LACK OF REST
IT'S NOT THE STRESS THAT DRIVES BURNOUT, IT'S THE LACK OF REST
IT'S NOT THE STRESS THAT DRIVES BURNOUT, IT'S THE LACK OF REST
WORK IS OVERRATED WHILE REST IS VASTLY UNDERRATED
WORK IS OVERRATED WHILE REST IS VASTLY UNDERRATED
WORK IS OVERRATED WHILE REST IS VASTLY UNDERRATED
The truth is, work and rest should be regarded as equals. Our nervous system—a complex network of sympathicus (fight & flight) and parasympathicus (rest) —serves as our guide in this matter.
When we're constantly in sympathicus mode, our bodies suffer these consequences from high cortisol levels*:
shallow breathing
persistent overthinking
weakened immune system
sleep disorder
cognitive impairment
high blood pressure
*Harvard Health Publishing - Understanding the stress response
The truth is, work and rest should be regarded as equals. Our nervous system—a complex network of sympathicus (fight & flight) and parasympathicus (rest) —serves as our guide in this matter.
When we're constantly in sympathicus mode, our bodies suffer these consequences from high cortisol levels*:
shallow breathing
persistent overthinking
weakened immune system
sleep disorder
cognitive impairment
high blood pressure
*Harvard Health Publishing - Understanding the stress response
The truth is, work and rest should be regarded as equals. Our nervous system—a complex network of sympathicus (fight & flight) and parasympathicus (rest) —serves as our guide in this matter.
When we're constantly in sympathicus mode, our bodies suffer these consequences from high cortisol levels*:
shallow breathing
persistent overthinking
weakened immune system
sleep disorder
cognitive impairment
high blood pressure
*Harvard Health Publishing - Understanding the stress response
A high performer’s not so secret sauce
Consider yourself a high performer? If so, then embracing the practice of rest should be at the top of your priority list, in whatever way that works for you.
Many of us, myself included, have been ingrained with the belief that work precedes all else. It's a narrative that starts early in life, shaping our identities and perpetuating the idea that to achieve anything, we must work tirelessly otherwise we are considered unproductive. But this relationship with work is toxic—it's akin to being addicted to a drug, constantly seeking the next fix.
In one of my last team building workshops with an international sales team on burnout and characteristics of high performing teams, I asked how many of them have fallen sick on first day of vacation - All hands went up. All fifteen team members shared the same anecdote with a hint of resignation in their smiles.
Rest is not a luxury; it's a necessity
for progress
It allows us to recharge, reflect, and redirect our efforts. Instead of the traditional mantra of "work, repeat," we should adopt a new approach: "work, rest, reflect, repeat."
Some may argue they don't have time for rest, but that's a fallacy
By neglecting rest, we sacrifice our health and performance. Without balance, our ability to find meaning in our work diminishes. The beauty of rest is its accessibility—it comes in various forms. Simple practices, like engaging the vagus nerve through physical exercise, facial expressions, making sounds, listening to music or breathwork, can regulate our nervous system and promote relaxation.
Here are a few of my favorite breathing techniques that you can do for 3 minutes a day, depending on the situation:
Sharpen focus and prepare for important discussion:
Segemented breath 4:4 → through the nose 4 short sniffs inhale, through the nose 4 short sniffs exhaleDestress and calm down:
Segemented breath 6:1 → through the nose 6 short sniffs inhale, through the nose 1 long exhaleFor fresh perspective, emotional balance, before going to bed:
Alternate nostril breathing → Close the right nostril with your right thumb to inhale through the left nostril. Hold for a few seconds. Then close the left nostril with your index finger to exhale through the right nostril
Resting is a strategic move
Discover your own restorative practices, whether it's a mindful break or a simple ritual like a sticker on your laptop reminding you to take a break, and commit to them daily. Remember, resting is not synonymous with being unproductive—it's a strategic move that elevates both individual performance and team dynamics.
Today’s society may lead us to believe that resting is equivalent to being unproductive. Be revolutionary and rest the way you need if you want to be a smart high performer uplifting yourself and your team.
Rest is not a luxury; it's a necessity for progress
It allows us to recharge, reflect, and redirect our efforts. Instead of the traditional mantra of "work, repeat," we should adopt a new approach: "work, rest, reflect, repeat."
Some may argue they don't have time for rest, but that's a fallacy
By neglecting rest, we sacrifice our health and performance. Without balance, our ability to find meaning in our work diminishes. The beauty of rest is its accessibility—it comes in various forms. Simple practices, like engaging the vagus nerve through physical exercise, facial expressions, making sounds, listening to music or breathwork, can regulate our nervous system and promote relaxation.
Here are a few of my favorite breathing techniques that you can do for 3 minutes a day, depending on the situation:
Sharpen focus and prepare for important discussion:
Segemented breath 4:4 → through the nose 4 short sniffs inhale, through the nose 4 short sniffs exhaleDestress and calm down:
Segemented breath 6:1 → through the nose 6 short sniffs inhale, through the nose 1 long exhaleFor fresh perspective, emotional balance, before going to bed:
Alternate nostril breathing → Close the right nostril with your right thumb to inhale through the left nostril. Hold for a few seconds. Then close the left nostril with your index finger to exhale through the right nostril
Resting is a strategic move
Discover your own restorative practices, whether it's a mindful break or a simple ritual like a sticker on your laptop reminding you to take a break, and commit to them daily. Remember, resting is not synonymous with being unproductive—it's a strategic move that elevates both individual performance and team dynamics.
Today’s society may lead us to believe that resting is equivalent to being unproductive. Be revolutionary and rest the way you need if you want to be a smart high performer uplifting yourself and your team.
Rest is not a luxury; it's a necessity for progress
It allows us to recharge, reflect, and redirect our efforts. Instead of the traditional mantra of "work, repeat," we should adopt a new approach: "work, rest, reflect, repeat."
Some may argue they don't have time for rest, but that's a fallacy
By neglecting rest, we sacrifice our health and performance. Without balance, our ability to find meaning in our work diminishes. The beauty of rest is its accessibility—it comes in various forms. Simple practices, like engaging the vagus nerve through physical exercise, facial expressions, making sounds, listening to music or breathwork, can regulate our nervous system and promote relaxation.
Here are a few of my favorite breathing techniques that you can do for 3 minutes a day, depending on the situation:
Sharpen focus and prepare for important discussion:
Segemented breath 4:4 → through the nose 4 short sniffs inhale, through the nose 4 short sniffs exhaleDestress and calm down:
Segemented breath 6:1 → through the nose 6 short sniffs inhale, through the nose 1 long exhaleFor fresh perspective, emotional balance, before going to bed:
Alternate nostril breathing → Close the right nostril with your right thumb to inhale through the left nostril. Hold for a few seconds. Then close the left nostril with your index finger to exhale through the right nostril
Resting is a strategic move
Discover your own restorative practices, whether it's a mindful break or a simple ritual like a sticker on your laptop reminding you to take a break, and commit to them daily. Remember, resting is not synonymous with being unproductive—it's a strategic move that elevates both individual performance and team dynamics.
Today’s society may lead us to believe that resting is equivalent to being unproductive. Be revolutionary and rest the way you need if you want to be a smart high performer uplifting yourself and your team.
Have an Idea but don't know how
to move forward?
I help you to turn things into reality, have clarity on what's to be done, setup and align processes to move from vision towards reality.
Have an Idea but don't know how
to move forward?
I help you to turn things into reality, have clarity on what's to be done, setup and align processes to move from vision towards reality.
Have an Idea but don't know how to move forward?
I help you to turn things into reality, have clarity on what's to be done, setup and align processes to move from vision towards reality.
Have an Idea but don't know how to move forward?
I help you to turn things into reality, have clarity on what's to be done, setup and align processes to move from vision towards reality.
Have an Idea but don't know how to move forward?
I help you to turn things into reality, have clarity on what's to be done, setup and align processes to move from vision towards reality.
Your time to shine
Your time to shine
Your time to shine