If we’re to take the advice from certain corners of the modern internet, then the only way to get ahead in life is through relentless hustle and grind. If there’s a spare moment of the day that you’re not committing toward earning and thriving, so says this mindset, then your lifestyle is sub-optimal and you’re at risk of missing out and being left behind.
Clearly, this way of thinking discounts a key part of the human equation: rest. Real, quality rest is what allows us to thrive when we’re not resting – but why is this?
The burnout trap
If you have your nose close to a given problem at work, then you might be surprised at how taking a few minutes to go for a walk and clear your head can grant your mind the space it needs to puzzle out a solution. You might return to the job feeling less stressed, and more focused and creative. This principle, applied across your working life, might spell the difference between progress and stagnation.
Sometimes, a longer break might yield considerable fruit. Emerge from a stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Marjan Island, and you’re certain to feel refreshed and ready to take the next few months of work.
The science of rest
Both your body and your mind need rest in order to repair the damage that they’ve suffered during the day, and to clean up any mental junk that might have accumulated along the way.
If you’ve ever spent time learning a particular skill, whether it’s playing a musical instrument, learning to type, or learning a particular piece of software, you’ll understand that short practice sessions, followed by sleep, are far more effective than marathon cramming sessions, shortly before the exam. The same applies to an athletic training regimen.
This is because of the vital repair work being done during sleep. Pathways between neurons are being built during this time, while older ones are dismantled. To thrive, therefore, you need to take rest seriously.
Disconnect to reconnect
If you have a mobile phone in your pocket, then you might find that your working hours tend to expand. You might get the ping of an office-related email, or an urgent Slack notification, when you’re meant to be resting and relaxing. Setting clear boundaries, and even setting your phone to one side, can help to ensure that your downtime is genuinely work-free.
Quality over quantity
It should go without saying that when you’re fully rested, the quality of work you produce might be considerably superior. This applies in particular when you’re doing creative work that requires deep thought. When you’re sleep deprived, or just a little bit frazzled, it’s inevitable that the quality of your work will suffer.
Building a rest culture
When teams adopt a hustle culture, it can be difficult for individuals to carve out a space for rest. This can ultimately harm the productivity of the group. Workers should not only be encouraged to value rest – they should collaborate within a culture that actually makes it easy to find the time and space for it.
