“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.”- Banksy
It’s fair to say that ‘hustle culture’ is still alive and well. Indeed, it is celebrated. I can see why, especially among the young. It’s an idea that celebrates hard work paying off in a big way. It’s an idea that celebrates a never-ending work ethic. It’s a rebranding of the ‘work-hard, play-hard’ craze that spanned from the 80’s until about ten years ago.
It’s all very well breaking your back to reach a goal, if that’s what you really want. But I would argue (and I don’t think I’m the only one) that this kind of work philosophy is neither sustainable nor healthy. I’m not even sure that it gleans particularly phenomenal results in the majority of cases, but that’s just my theory. You’d have to ask someone more qualified if that is anywhere close to fact!
This attitude leads to burnout. It does not work if you are after work-life balance. It robs you of time spent building friendships, nurturing families, and, quite frankly, enjoying life’s many pleasures. This attitude also ignores that rest and recovery are the same as ‘being lazy’. They are, in fact, essential to resilience, mental wellbeing and productivity. Ultimately, slowing down is the best way to put a rocket booster behind your work output. Here’s more on that…
1. The Productivity Myth
For years, hustle culture and the behemoth of capitalism have pumped the idea that to ‘do’ constantly is the only road to success and fulfilment. It’s a big part of why, as a culture, we look down on the notion of rest. But, as is becoming more apparent, burnout and mental health issues are a widespread effect to the cause of this idea. It’s why so many of us feel guilty when we slow down. Things are changing, but there is still way to go.
2. Different Types of Rest
Rest is more than just sleep (although, we should probably all be getting more of that. PUT THAT PHONE DOWN!). rest comes in many forms, it can be physical, emotional, mental, sensory, creative, or spiritual. So, perhaps rest, if physical rest is what you need, looks like a steam room session or a quiet night in watching movies. If emotional rest is what you need, perhaps you just need to have some time to yourself. Mental rest might look like a technology detox for a day. Stop pumping stimulation into your brain for a while and go to the beach! Sensory overload is something I suffer from often. I tend to deal with it by sitting in the park over the road from my house and listening to nothing but the birds and the wind while reading a good book. For creative rest, I look to my hobbies (playing the piano, writing books). For spiritual rest, meditation is pretty popular. What would suit you best?
3. Signs You’re Overdue for a Rest Reset
The signs that you need a break are usually pretty clear. That said, we can be good at ignoring them… I know I am! Are you more irritable and short-tempered than usual? Are you disconnecting from situations (drifting off in meetings, not concentrating on where you are going, making silly mistakes)? Do you struggle to remember things and to string ideas together?
4. Rest as an Act of Self-Respect
If you struggle to rest, you may need to engineer a shift in mindset. Rest isn’t indulgence, it’s self-preservation. Going on and on without rest is like running a super marathon without fuelling yourself along the way. It’s like running 100 miles without water or food… eventually, you will shut down. Rest is sustenance. It is essential for long-lasting resilience and mental wellbeing.
By Chris Thomson
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