“If I can just get to the next milestone…”

Daily life demands our time and energy to focus on a number of different concerns: health, finances, work/school, career, relationships, family, chores, future goals, hobbies, purpose, etc. By the end of a day, let alone a whole work week, it is easy to feel exhausted by all these demands. However, despite craving the need for a break, it is often postponed. Rest is viewed as a weakness, whereas fatigue is worn like a badge of honor.

When people describe their weeks, they often circle the weekend, the closest holiday, or the next vacation as the marker for leisure and relaxation. However, many return on Monday feeling just as drained as when they left on Friday. Not only do they feel unrested, they are increasingly irritable, anxious, and checked out from work and relationships.

Why is it that rest is the thing most craved, yet it is often the first thing to get replaced in someone’s schedule? People look to the next milestone—the end of a fiscal quarter, the end of a school term, when the last child moves out of the house—but once they reach their destination, their free time is instantly replaced with new projects and responsibilities. Many Americans today are caught in a trap of productivity. From a young age, kids’ schedules are filled with extracurricular activities like sports or playing instruments. 

These things are not intrinsically bad; however, as a side effect, busyness creates a culture where it is unfamiliar and difficult for someone to disconnect and recharge. Over time, without adequate rest, you can feel like an outdated smartphone: your optimal battery level can’t reach as high as it used to be, your energy levels deplete more quickly, and you experience glitches and lags throughout the day. A lack of rest can lead to not only burnout, but also to troubles regulating your emotions, focusing, and even physical ailments.

For some reason, rest is often viewed as an unnecessary activity that gets in the way of productivity. This cannot be farther from the truth. Adequate sleep repairs damaged cells & tissues, consolidates memories, and fortifies your immune system. Professional athletes intentionally incorporate rest into their training regimen, even napping before big games. Business executives are learning how to integrate restful practices in their organizational structure to optimize productivity and longevity. Briefly stepping away from your workstation to take a walk gives a renewed energy to focus on your projects. If anything, rest helps optimize your capacity to engage in your daily activities.

Insufficient rest is a result of being overwhelmed by an excessive quantity of things (work/school, finances, relationships, etc.) as well as having insufficient time to rejuvenate yourself. Even in the busiest of schedules, it is possible to attain rest. Identifying small ways to recharge can promote large dividends in your overall wellbeing. Pursuing rest takes intentionality and valuing it as a useful asset in your daily life—whether you are an executive, an athlete, a student, a parent, a missionary, or perform any role. 

As humans, we all need rest. If you do not choose to rest, your body will eventually force you to through illness or emotional distress. Thankfully, the narrative on rest and self care is beginning to change on a societal level. Now, the work is for businesses, families, and individuals to develop skills to practice rest on a more consistent basis.

In the future, I will look at different practices for rest and tips on how you can slowly, but effectively incorporate them into your daily routine.

How much do you prioritize rest? How often do you feel at your “optimal” level?

Originally published on April 11, 2022 by Grace Counseling.

About the Author

Mark Cadlaon, M.A., LPC (CO), LPCC (OH), NCC, BCN is a licensed therapist based in Denver, Colorado. Mark has years of experience helping adults across the U.S. and Europe navigate life transitions, anxiety, burnout, and existential questions. If you are interested in working with Mark, please contact to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.