Hi dear friend,
We are marching past the halfway line of the year. How has it been so far? I reflect on the last 6 months, and the only thing I have to say is
“If the Lord had not been by my side….”
I am filled with gratitude and awe for how much strength I have exhibited despite various challenges. I am embracing rest right now. It is my right because I find rest in the one who holds all the world in His hand.
I hope you are taking the time to get some rest.
In today’s hustle-driven world, productivity is often measured by how busy we look or how long our to-do lists are. But here’s the truth, most people are too tired to admit: Rest is not the opposite of productivity — it is the foundation of it.
Ask yourself: Have I rested enough to give my best work today?
If you’re constantly pushing, striving, and barely making space to breathe, it’s only a matter of time before burnout sets in. Real productivity— the kind that leads to innovation, clarity, and sustainable success—starts with honoring your need for rest.
My book club is reading #businesssecretsfromthebible by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, and it really gives perspective about work and productivity in a way that detaches it from a multitude of activities and focuses on mindset. A way of living and thinking.
Rethinking Productivity: It’s Not About Doing More
We’ve been taught that the most productive people are those who grind the hardest. But science and lived experience tell us a different story. The most productive individuals are not those who are always on, but those who know when to pause.
When we rest, we:
- Replenish mental energy
- Improve memory and concentration
- Boost emotional regulation
- Restore physical health
- Gain clarity and a fresh perspective
In essence, rest enhances our capacity to do meaningful work.
The Science Behind Rest and Performance
Research shows that the brain doesn’t shut down when we rest—it reorganizes, processes, and strengthens neural connections. This is why people often find clarity after a nap, a walk, or even a vacation.
Burnout, on the other hand, impairs decision-making, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Without rest, we’re simply functioning at a fraction of our potential.
I have a funny story to share about burnout. Recently, a person who shall not be named drove their car somewhere and forgot it, and took another form of transport home. On reaching their home, they wondered if they had been robbed as the car wasn’t in the driveway.
Does this sound like you and me, trying so hard to catch up with a million things? We create shortcuts that keep the engine running without our minds involved.
Stop, think again. Is this really the life you want? Or the one the world is forcing you into because you have a choice. You always have a choice.
Every time a temptation comes, it is an opportunity to make a choice.
Temptation to take that extra job, that extra shift, that extra extracurricular activity. Check your motive/ intention. Does it align?
What Rest Looks Like Beyond Sleep
Rest is more than just getting your 7–9 hours of sleep (though that’s important too). There are different kinds of rest we all need:
- Physical Rest: Sleep, naps, massage, stretching
- Mental Rest: Taking breaks from intense focus or problem-solving, intense conversations
- Sensory Rest: Reducing noise, screen time, or bright lights, strong smells, and spatial awareness
- Emotional Rest: Safe spaces to be vulnerable without judgment, to feel without censoring, to breathe deeply
- Creative Rest: Exposure to art, beauty, and inspiration, letting the mind wander and create from its bowels
- Social Rest: Time away from draining interactions, or time spent with life-giving people
- Spiritual Rest: Reflection, prayer, retreats, meditation, exercising faith, or anything that connects you to purpose
The most productive people are those who incorporate all these layers of rest intentionally.
Real-Life Practices to Prioritize Rest
- Schedule breaks like you would meetings.
- Take mini-Sabbaths: 1–2 hours each week where you do absolutely nothing related to work.
- Use your weekends to recharge, not catch up, turn off the phone, and be present where your feet are.
- Say no to things that deplete you, even if they sound important, like that mega wedding where you don’t get to even see the couple, but you spend time, money, and energy attending
- Unplug daily — even 30 minutes offline can reset your mind.
- Honor your limits without guilt. You’re human, not a machine.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Lazy — You’re Human
Rest is not a reward for finishing your work.
Rest is what makes the work possible.
Let’s normalize rest in our conversations, in our calendars, and in how we measure success. Because a rested mind creates better solutions, builds stronger relationships, and sustains meaningful growth.
So here’s your reminder:
You don’t have to earn your rest — you need it to thrive.
📌 Question for You:
What’s one restful habit you want to practice more this season? Drop it in the comments or share with someone who needs this reminder.
Until next time, stay authentic.
Stay resilient, and continue to honour your needs.
Live wholeheartedly,
Amaka
