5 Scientific Reasons Why Leaders Need to Rest
As leaders, we often forget that carving out time for rest and play is essential for our well-being. I’ll be the first to admit I can do a lousy job about that sometimes.
It seems counterintuitive. If I still have so much to do, why would I rest?
Numerous Benefits of Rest:
- Taking a break from work boosts your immune system.
- Rest helps you become more creative.
- Focus at work is better when you take time to rest.
- Regularly taking time off reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Time off shows to add years onto your life.
A Day of Rest: 12 Scientific Reasons It Works — Inc.
Put it in the calendar if you have to. If you are one of those people who watch their calendars start overflowing with meetings, events, and time for deep work, it can be easy to watch your time for real rest fall to the wayside.
We cannot rush through resting. I thought, oh, maybe I can watch some sports, or meditate like once a day, and I’ll be fine. But it isn’t restful when you have the following work activity on your mind.
Being okay with taking a break is a process. It takes courage to go against the grain of our society which is always telling us to work, work, work.
Unlearning the Constant Need to Work
Growing up in a family of a couple of workaholics who I love very dearly, it’s been quite a bit of unlearning for me. But it’s possible.
When I actively take time to rest, I feel significantly more rejuvenated when coming back to work. No matter how much you love your job, you have to rest. Our bodies need rest—some more than others.
It takes self-awareness to learn what activities and how much time we need to devote to rest. But the number of times needs to be more than zero.
Ideas for Rejuvenating Rest
- Long walks in a peaceful neighborhood or park.
- Hanging out with friends and enjoying a day in your city.
- Watching sports or a show you can fully engage in.
- Going to a museum and learning about history is entirely irrelevant to your work.
- Enjoy a lovely meal at your favorite restaurant alone or with friends while you talk for hours.
Take Action
Time to take action and rest! Whether any of the above rest ideas strike your fancy or not.
Our teams need us to rest so we can become more effective leaders.
How do you make time for resting?
