Rest Is Not a Reward, It’s a Necessity
We believe that we must hustle if we want to achieve our dreams. Hustle culture teaches us that sleep is for the weak and rest is for the lazy, and in order to achieve anything, we need to absolutely push ourselves to the limit. But what if I said that this is a dire ticket to burnout?
Rest is not something to be earned. It’s something you need.
Wait, do you only fill up your car when it’s about to die? No. You pull over at a gas station, before it’s too late. Well, your body and mind operate similarly. Abdicating rest does not help you grow stronger. It forces you to run on fumes so you are lethargic, drained and ultimately incapable of doing anything.
We need to begin to normalize rest as something necessary for life like food and water. Not an afterthought. Not a guilty pleasure. But rather a mandatory must have.
The Science Behind Rest
Rest isn’t only sleep (though we’ll discuss that soon). It’s about allowing your brain and body time to recover, reset and recharge. Research has found that taking intentional breaks can improve cognitive function, ignite creativity and decrease overall stress levels.
Did you ever notice how a problem that at night looks impossible suddenly has a clear solution in the morning? That’s rest doing its magic.
Stopping the Overwork Cycle
For many of us, it’s difficult to stop because we have been conditioned to believe that productivity is worth. If we’re not in productive mode, we feel guilty. But here’s the thing: You can be ambitious and take care of yourself. The two are not, however, mutually exclusive.
So before you try to plow through exhaustion again, just pause. Take a breath. Allow yourself to take a break. You don’t need to earn it—you already deserve it.
Blog 2: If the Battery Is Dead, Your Phone Doesn’t Work Same Goes for You.
It was pretty much this experience: You’re out and about, looking at your phone, replying to texts, refreshing emails, and then — bam. Your phone dies. Completely. No warning. No possible way to turn back on until plugged in.
Annoying, right?
Now, picture your body going through the same movement.
That’s burnout. That’s what happens when you neglect rest too long. And if you don’t, the mind and body will compel you to stop — like it or not.
Key Signs You Are Running Low on Battery
Your phone gives you a warning when its battery is low. It keeps on slowing down, screen starts dimming, apps start freezing. So does your body.
You are exhausted no matter how much coffee you drink.
You begin to develop more memory loss.
Your patience runs thin.
Your creativity disappears.
Little things seem like they would take hours.
These are your body’s signs of low batteries And if we ignore them, the result will be total shutdown — burnout, illness, exhaustion. And unlike your phone, you can’t simply replace your battery with a fresh one.
Aldrin explained how we recharge our phones when we feel the battery is low.
You wouldn’t allow your phone to stay at 1% all day long, so why would you allow that to happen to yourself? Rest is the most important thing before a fall down. Set boundaries with work. Take breaks. Allow yourself time to recharge to be able to perform at your best.
Because when your battery is full, you’re unbreakable.
Blog 3: Provide Yourself Breaks, Even If You Are Busy
“I don’t have time to rest.”
How many times do you say that? Thought that? Lived that?
We all have. If the to-do list is never-ending then taking a pause seems impossible — like we are taking time away from productive work. But here’s the kicker: not taking breaks doesn’t save time. In fact, it makes us less productive.
The Power of the Pause
Studies have found that small breaks boost focus, creativity and productivity. Ever heard about Pomodoro Technique? It’s a technique where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. The results? More productiveness, less burnouts.
Breaks are not the enemy of hard work. They’re the fuel for it.
Micro-Breaks Matter Too
If you can’t take a long break, take a micro-break. Stretch. Walk for a minute. Stare out the window. Even that 30-second pause can help reset your brain.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed, walk away — even if only for a spell. You’ll come back stronger.
Blog 4: Sleep is Non-Negotiable. Sleep Is the Secret for Health and Long Life.
Let’s be clear about one thing — sleep is not optional.
We have glorified making do on little sleep for too long. Colloquy’d all-nighters in college. Answered emails at 2 AM. Boasted about subsisting on four hours of sleep like it’s a medal.
It’s not. It’s self-sabotage.
What Happens When You Don’t Sleep?
Your brain also starts to slow down.
Memory suffers.
Your immune system weakens.
Mood swings take over.
You also are more vulnerable to stress and anxiety.
Not really a recipe for success, eh?
Make Sleep a Priority
Good sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. Set a bedtime. Create a nighttime routine. Reduce screen time before sleeping. Defend your sleep as if your life depends on it — because, in many respects, it does.
No more “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” For if you don’t sleep, you won’t ever really live.