Why it matters

Rest is not just the absence of doing; it’s an active reset for your hormones. When you pause, breathe, and allow stillness, your parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) system turns on — lowering cortisol and improving sleep quality.

How to approach it

Rest looks different for everyone: lying down, deep breathing, journaling, slow music, or simply doing nothing for five minutes. What matters is that your body feels safe to stop. For many, it helps to plan short rest periods between tasks instead of waiting until exhaustion.

Start small

Try one mindful pause per day. Set a reminder to close your eyes and take five slow breaths between meetings or chores. Notice your heart rate drop. With practice, these micro-rests become the scaffolding for resilience.