“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” -Alan Cohen
Rest is essential. In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, we can get lost in the constant mindset of “what work do I need to get done” leading to the point of burnout. We should instead realize, that doing the exact opposite of keeping busy is what we need to do to be more productive. After all the hard work you put in, a rest is not only well-deserved, but almost necessary.
The psychological effects of burnout
Working to the point of burning out is real, even if we may be working from our desks at home, Yes, working remotely is still work. According to a peer-reviewed study published in the journal, Frontiers of Psychology, burnout is a “psychological syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and reduced personal accomplishment.” It further shows the link between burning out and feelings of depression. This goes to show that avoiding overworking is something we all need to take seriously.
Physical and emotional recharge
Allow yourself to take time off to psychologically and emotionally recharge. With proper rest (this means keeping any form of work out of the picture), you will be able to come back refreshed and as productive as can be. Whether work for you is dealing with crunching numbers and analytics or you’re in a creative field that requires fresh ideas, rest is your friend.
Cognitive recharge and improved memory
Research from the neuroscience journal, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, discusses that evidence shows how sleep is an important part of memory consolidation - and we all could benefit from having better memory. Taking care of our minds is invaluable.
How to rest
During your resting periods avoid checking work emails. Implement increments of each day for unwinding. Try committing to complete down time by a certain hour at night or allocate specific hours to spend with family - these can all be a part of effecting a proper work-life balance. If you’ve been working long hours for weeks upon months, a proper vacation or sabbatical could do you justice. Some like to totally unplug and keep their phones off during their rest time. How ever you decide to implement rest, make sure it is purely that - no work involved (and have some fun)!
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