Why You Must Rest To Appreciate Life

Apr 14, 2024

Work occupies a significant portion of one’s life and most people work way more than they need to. Work, in many sense, resembles your contribution to the world and defines who you are. It’s arguably a reflection of your character and ideologies as well. In the process of pushing oneself to work longer and harder, people end up exhausted and burntout. Why do one push oneself so much? What are their driving forces? It could be money, or recognition, or position, or even the dignity in the work they do. But how then can one appreciate life if they are so busy exhausting years from their life?

Even God, after six days of work, decides to rest on the seventh day so he could witness and appreciate his marvelous creations. It is certainly not such a bad thing for people to follow that pattern.

“How much should I work?” is a very important question that everyone should ask themselves. The significance of ones work cannot be dignified without the appropriate level of ideas and attention. That level of ideas and attention cannot be formed without rest. So in other words, how well you rest also determines how well and effectively you work.

This reminds me of a real-life experience shared by Arianna Huffington, the co-founder and former editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post.

In her book "Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder," 1 Huffington recounts her personal journey of burnout and realization that success shouldn't be measured solely by traditional metrics like money and power, but also by well-being, wisdom, and wonder. She shares how she collapsed from exhaustion and sleep deprivation, which led her to reevaluate her priorities and incorporate more rest and self-care into her life.

Psychological theories such as the 'Effort-Recovery Model'2 and the 'Conservation of Resources Theory'3 provide valuable insights into the importance of rest for maintaining psychological resilience and overall well-being. According to these theories, prolonged periods of work without adequate rest lead to resource depletion, resulting in decreased motivation, diminished cognitive functioning, and heightened emotional reactivity.4 By incorporating regular restorative practices such as mindfulness meditation, relaxation techniques, and leisure activities, individuals can replenish their psychological resources and enhance their capacity to cope with stress and adversity.5

Also, throughout history, various cultures have recognized the value of rest as a fundamental aspect of human existence. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato extolled the virtues of leisure and contemplation as essential components of the good life. In Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Taoism, practices such as meditation and mindful breathing have long been revered as paths to inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. Similarly, the Sabbath observance in Judeo-Christian traditions emphasizes the importance of rest and renewal as a sacred duty, reflecting a deep understanding of the human need for balance and rejuvenation.

I feel it is absolutely impossible to enjoy your work if you are too exhausted doing it day in and out. Taking proper rest and attending to things outside of work transforms your approach to life and improves your work. You create an immersive depth of understanding where there lies hidden paths that corresponds work and life. That understanding gives you balance which enables you to enjoy your work and have time to appreciate the wonderful gifts of life all around you and within you. This to me is the core meaning of leading a good quality life.

Until next time, stay curious and keep questioning!

Thanks for reading,

Mahi.☕

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