When Did Rest Become a Luxury?
When did resting turn into something we have to justify?
Have you noticed when it shifted in your own life - or did it slowly become “normal” as you grew up?
Somewhere along the way, being busy started to equal being successful. Saying “I’m exhausted” became a badge of honour. And resting? Well, that became something we do only after everything else is done - which, let’s be honest, is never.
Just because so many people live this way doesn’t mean it’s normal - or natural. It just means it’s common.
Our bodies weren’t designed to run constantly in overdrive. Feeling tired all the time, struggling to switch off, or lying in bed with a racing mind isn’t a personal failure - it’s a sign that rest has been pushed far too far down the priority list.
And no, scrolling on your phone doesn’t count as rest (sorry).
What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body
When life feels non-stop, your nervous system is usually stuck in “go mode”. This is the fight-or-flight response - useful if you’re being chased by a tiger, not so helpful when you’re just trying to get through emails, school runs, and dinner.
In this state, your body:
Stays tense
Breath becomes shallow
Sleep gets lighter
Digestion slows down
Stress hormones stay high
Now here’s the important part: your body can’t heal in this mode.
True rest switches on the opposite system - often called rest and digest. This is where your body finally gets the message that it’s safe to slow down. Heart rate softens. Breathing deepens. Muscles let go. The mind quietens.
This is not indulgence. This is biology.
Why “Doing Nothing” Feels So Hard
Many people tell us they feel guilty when they rest. Or restless. Or like they should be doing something “more productive”.
That’s not because you’re bad at resting - it’s because your nervous system has forgotten what safe stillness feels like.
Deep relaxation is a skill. And like any skill, it takes practice.
This Is Why Deep Rest Matters
Practices that reduce stimulation and create stillness - like floating, sauna sessions, sound baths, meditation, or gentle bodywork - help your system relearn how to slow down.
Over time, regular deep rest can:
Improve sleep
Reduce anxiety and overwhelm
Ease muscle tension and chronic stress
Improve focus, mood, and resilience
You don’t need to crash to deserve rest. You don’t need to earn it. And you definitely don’t need to wait until burnout forces you to stop.
A Gentle Reminder
Rest isn’t something you do after life.
It’s something that allows you to live it.
And maybe the real question isn’t “When can I rest?”
But “What would change if I rested more?”
Funny enough, our best ideas and real productivity rarely show up when we’re busy or pushing harder. They tend to arrive in stillness - in moments of clarity when we’re resting, (walking in nature, floating…) simply allowing our nervous system to feel calm and safe.
When you understand this, you can begin to explore what real rest feels like, and what activities, treatments, or simple moments help you truly recharge.