We don’t notice the value of rest until we’re burned out. I’m not sure why it’s so hard for us to rest. Maybe because we haven’t been taught. There are places all over the world that have rest built into their daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly rhythms, but in the U.S. this is not the case. People in America don’t rest well because success and productivity and financial security are our gods. We live for the American Dream, but I’m not sure that was ever God’s dream for us. 

We were never meant to go as hard as we do, but because we’re not always aware of that, we’re living stressed, burned out, and exhausted. We’re pushing ourselves past our limits, and we can’t do it anymore. Our bodies, our minds, and our souls all need rest desperately. We’ll talk more soon about how God teaches us what it looks like to rest, how we know we need more rest, and practical ways to rest well, but for now, let’s focus on the benefits of rest—  why we need it so much. 

The Benefits of Rest 

It heals the body and boosts your immune system. 

We see the opposite, too. When we push ourselves too hard, we often get sick. “Adequate rest helps your body activate its inner healing cascade and return to a state of homeostasis. This is when your body can repair and recover.” One amazing thing about the human body is that it was made to heal itself in so many ways. Too much sitting and stillness can negatively impact the body, but when the body gets the amount of rest it needs (and that varies person to person), it can boost the immune system. This is why doctors always recommend lots of rest when we get sick or injured— it gives our bodies a chance to heal.

It reduces stress. 

There are many things that can cause stress in our lives, and rest isn’t the only thing that can help reduce stress, but it is one of the most important. We can’t run on empty too long without our bodies and minds shutting down. We have to replenish our energy, because we weren’t meant to operate at that high stress level all the time. Rest helps us do that by releasing the “happy hormones” we need instead of the stress hormones. 

It improves creativity and productivity. 

What’s so interesting about this is that it’s the opposite of what Americans tend to do to be productive in their work. We push ourselves in 40, 50, 60-hour work weeks (maybe even more), working 6 or 7 days a week sometimes, for what? More money? More financial security? I get that some people have to work that much simply to survive, to meet their basic needs, but even in that, rest needs to be built in or your health will eventually suffer. Resting effectively can help make space in your brain to actually be more creative and productive in efficient ways. The brain is less functional when it’s tired, and more functional when it’s rested. Pay attention to how much space there is for ingenuity and creativity in your work after you’re well-rested.  

It improves focus and decision-making skills. 

Similarly, we see that our brains feel foggy or like “mush” when we don’t rest enough or rest well. I know when I need a nap or a break when my brain is distracted, I can’t seem to finish a task, or I’m having trouble making even minor decisions, like what to eat. Rest can help increase one’s ability to focus on tasks at hand, therefore making work more efficient. It clears the mind. 

It improves our mood. 

People who struggle with getting adequate rest are more anxious, more depressed, and have difficulty interacting positively with others. People who prioritize rest are more pleasant around others, more engaging and present. They are also less anxious, less depressed, and overall, nicer to be around. 

It makes space for reflection. 

We don’t leave enough room in our lives for reflection. Time to sit with ourselves to think, to read, to pray, or to meditate. Reflection is a powerful tool in boosting creativity and other cognitive skills, too, but beyond all of that, reflection is necessary for growth. People need to spend time reflecting on a regular basis on what they’re learning, how they think and feel, what they need. They need to reflect on truth and their stories and areas in which they need to grow.  

Rest is powerful if we make it a priority in our lives. We need to assess why it’s so hard for each of us to rest, what we’re scared might happen if we do. And then we need to remember what’s at stake if we don’t— our health, our relationships, and our work. As we enter into this Labor Day weekend, let’s be people who choose rest and its benefits over lives of extreme busyness and supposed productivity.