I've spent most of my life believing relaxation was something other people did.
Me, I've got stuff to do.
I've never been known for sitting still. I've always been what I call an active relaxer. Even during a movie, I'll usually get up and find something to do.
I've been around long enough to remember when computers arrived in the workplace, when mobile phones came with battery packs the size of a small suitcase, when colour TV was a novelty, and when our home phone was a party line shared with the neighbours.
For most of those years, my attitude was simple: I'll rest when the job is done.
The problem is that the job is never done.
Recently, though, I've started noticing I may not be as invincible as I once thought.
Then along came our new kitten. For a couple of hours, he tears around the house, creating absolute chaos.
Then, without a hint of guilt, he stretches out and falls fast asleep. A little later, he's fully recharged and ready to do it all again.
Watching that kitten got me thinking.
Why are humans so determined to keep going when every other creature seems to understand the importance of recovery?
Neuroscience suggests that short breaks during the day reduce fatigue and increase energy.
Research has also shown that when we stop focusing on a task, the brain switches into a different mode that helps us process experiences, reflect, and connect ideas. In other words, the brain doesn't stop working when we rest. It simply does different work.
Then there's the power nap.
One well-known NASA study found that pilots who took a short nap improved alertness by 54% and performance by 34%.
For years, many of us have treated recovery as a reward, but the evidence suggests it's actually a requirement.
So perhaps the question isn't: Do I have time to rest? Maybe it's: Can I afford not to?
As for me, I'm still learning!
But now and then I look over at our newest member of the WARN International team, asleep on the office floor after another exhausting morning of being completely unhelpful, and I wonder if the kitten understands performance psychology better than I do.
What about you? Do you rest naturally, or do you need to give yourself permission to slow down?
Let’s talk!
Should I Rest More?