Rest ’26

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time” John Lubbock

This week’s conversation is around rest and for me, this is a timely event as I prepare to visit family in Queensland to celebrate new family members.

Rest is an important part of the day and is different from sleep.  Rest is the gaps that we all need during the day to take a break from the difficult and/or hard work that we do – both in our work and leisure.  Rest gives us time to solve problems that we are working on; it allows us a fresh perspective and the ability to think options through.  It may not look like that, but it is an opportunity that comes when the mind is not so busy.

When I was studying, I found that I needed to walk away from the computer and the literature.  This enabled my brain to work things through in its own time.  The same with any “issue” or “problem” – letting the thoughts cultivate and work through in its own time without rushing.  This is especially useful if emotions are high, allowing them to settle and the logic return.  This enables a decision to be made with both a little emotion and logic.  It provides a solution that sits well in the gut – the second brain.  A decision that is well thought out and sits well with your own value system and not the high emotions of the “issue”.

Rest also includes the breaks we need during the day.  If at school, you will have play lunch and lunch breaks.  A time to eat, drink and refresh the mind and the body.  If you are working, we get the same deal- morning tea, afternoon tea and a designated lunch break if you are working over a certain period.  Not only are they essential and mandated, but they are also beneficial to your health and wellbeing. 

One of the businesses I worked for many years ago, stated that we all have a period that we are productive at work – usually five or six hours each day.  This business owner managed our work hours according to his theory and it worked for all of us.  I note that I usually manage this is my own work hours in a very similar way.  It makes sense and is more effective for me to work this way. 

I hope that you manage to find some rest time in your day and this helps you also be more productive in whatever you do – both in work and leisure.