Why rest is productive, powerful and joyful
By Kaley Burns EBS COLUMNIST
In a world that rewards hustle, glorifies busyness, and often equates worth with productivity, the rise of a new narrative may feel radical: rest is not only necessary—it is productive. But why does this idea keep surfacing in conversations, social media feeds, wellness workshops and even workplace policies?
Because individually and collectively, we’re tired. And because something deeper is shifting in our cultural consciousness: a return to wholeness, to wisdom, and to the belief that life is more than work.
Burnout has reached a breaking point.
We’re in the midst of what many are calling a “burnout epidemic”. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is now officially classified as a syndrome, characterized by chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed. It’s not just about being tired—it’s about being emotionally depleted, disconnected from your work, and losing your sense of identity.
When stress becomes our default setting, rest becomes revolutionary.
Neuroscience shows that rest isn’t just the absence of work—it’s essential to brain function. Sleep and downtime allow us to consolidate memories, process emotions and regenerate cells. Even “waking rest,” like a walk in nature or daydreaming, improves creative thinking and problem-solving.
Paradoxically, we’re more productive when we take breaks. This has made the idea of rest more palatable to even the most efficiency-minded among us.
It’s important to remember that rest is more than sleep.
When we talk about rest, we tend to think of sleeping or doing nothing. But rest is multi-dimensional. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, in her book “Sacred Rest,” identifies seven types of rest: physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative and spiritual.
Understanding these categories helps us recognize what kind of rest we truly need, and not just what’s easiest to access.
For example, you might feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep because what you really need is creative rest—time to enjoy art or nature without pressure. Constant digital stimulation may have depleted your sensory rest—meaning you need silence, darkness or screen-free time. Holding emotional space for others might mean you need emotional rest—safe spaces where you don’t have to perform or please.
Rest doesn’t have to always be about stillness. Rest can also be play, connection or beauty. It should be scheduled like a ritual. Try blocking off “white space” in your calendar, even if it’s just 15 minutes a day.
Create a wind-down ritual at night—maybe light candles, listen to music or do some light stretching. Designate one “rest-first” day per month—or week—where nothing is planned.
Engage in gentle, joy-filled activities like a walk without a destination just to notice your surroundings, sitting outside with a cup of tea to watch the clouds shift, or dancing in your kitchen to nostalgic music.
Try creative rest, such as painting, drawing, writing poetry, or playing an instrument with no goal of mastery. Listen to music with your eyes closed, no multitasking allowed. Journal not to process, but just to be with your inner world.
Seek restorative social time by spending time with people who energize you, not drain you.
Create a “low-pressure” friend date: shared silence, nature walk or co-reading. Limit emotionally taxing interactions when you feel depleted.
Try practicing sensory detox by unplugging from screens for an evening, dimming the lights in your space or lighting a candle, and don’t be afraid of silence—even when commuting or working.
Remember, rest is a return, not an escape. Rest is not running away from life—it’s returning to yourself.
It’s where we reconnect to what’s true beneath the noise. It’s where our nervous systems soften, our creativity rekindles, and our sense of joy resurfaces. Rest allows us to be more than our output. So when you hear that rest is productive, know that it’s not just about doing more later—it’s about living well now.
Dr. Kaley Burns is a licensed Naturopathic Physician providing a wide range of services for her clients, including: Naturopathic Medicine, IV Nutrient Therapy, Regenerative Injections, Rejuvenation Therapies, Vitamin Shots, and Nutrition Counseling. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey.
