By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Recently, I spent about an hour doing nothing in particular. My husband and I sat outdoors; while he read, I stared at the sky. Surprisingly, even though I had two writing projects due soon, I didn’t feel guilty about taking the time to rest. Why?

Many writers, myself included, often overlook the importance of rest. We may view it as a waste of time or a reward we deserve only after completing a project. However, Claudia Hammond, author of The Art of Rest, argues that rest is essential and should be taken seriously.

The Impact of Rest

Hammond (2020) defines rest as “any restful activity that we do while we’re awake” (Chapter 1, The Essence of Rest section, para. 3). In addition to helping our bodies recuperate from exhaustion, she emphasizes that rest is also essential for our cognitive and mental well-being. Taking breaks can boost our memory, increase our concentration, improve our decision-making, help us avoid errors, enable us to cope better with difficult situations, and have a positive impact on our overall well-being.

Hammond (2020) also warns us about the potential consequences of not getting enough rest. She writes, “Tiredness can have a serious impact on our cognitive abilities. A task which seems easy when you’re fresh is rendered far more difficult when you are fatigued. Tiredness leads to memory lapses, a blunting of emotions, a lack of concentration, more frequent misunderstandings and impaired judgement” (Hammond, 2020, Chapter 1, The Rest Deficit section, para. 17).

Restful Activities

Based on a research study called the Rest Test, which involved 18,000 participants from around the world, Hammond (2020) highlights the top ten most restful activities. Here are the top five activities along with some of their benefits:

1. Reading: Enables us to escape our own worlds, allowing us to leave our problems and, to some extent, our own minds.
2. Spending Time in Nature: Helps us set aside daily worries, provides perspective on our concerns within the larger context of the world, and encourages us to engage in deeper reflection.
3. Spending Time Alone: Provides the freedom to let our minds wander and examine our true selves and thoughts, free from external influences. This solitude also helps us process our emotions, reflect on events, and explore past memories, which can aid in making decisions for the future.
4. Listening to Music (that we enjoy): Allows us to relax, feel refreshed and calm, reflect on our day, find solace, and reduce stress.
5. Doing Nothing in Particular: Gives us the opportunity to introspect, identify what we want from life and find meaning. This downtime can inspire new ideas and prompt us to seek out new experiences.

A restful activity can do wonders. Going back to my own experience I mentioned earlier, after spending some time doing nothing, my mind was refreshed, some aspects of my writing projects became clearer, and new ideas started to emerge.

Although it can be challenging to carve out time for rest when we are extremely busy, we should make an effort to prioritize rest, just as we do our writing tasks. As Hammond (2020) points out, even micro breaks of one to two minutes can be beneficial. Examples of micro breaks include leaning back in our chairs and closing our eyes, getting up to get something to drink, or simply staring out of the window.

Bottom line: Remember that rest is essential for us to perform our jobs efficiently and protect our well-being. Choose a form of rest that suits you, be intentional about taking a break, and make the most of it.

As Hammond (2020) emphasizes, “We need to start valuing it, validating it, vaunting it. Rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s essential” (Chapter 1, The Rest Deficit section, para. 20).

Reference

Hammond, C. (2020). The art of rest: How to find respite in the modern age [Kindle version]. Canongate Books.

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Angelica Ribeiro is a writer, researcher, and professor. She is the author of How to Create Happiness at Work, Running into Happiness, and My Happiness Habit Journal. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a focus on English as a second language from Texas A&M University. She has taught English learners and preservice teachers in the United States and Brazil for over 25 years. Angelica has several publications on second language acquisition. She works as a professor in higher education and helps others benefit from her happiness research. When she was a Ph.D. student, Angelica struggled with balancing her academic commitments and personal life, which motivated her to embark on a journey to increase happiness. Her journey was so successful that now she encourages others to create happiness in their busy lives by sharing science-based strategies. Visit https://www.creatinghappiness.today