Rest as Resistance: Why You Need to Break Free from Hustling and Embrace Rest to Win in 2025
Because burning out isn’t a flex—rest your way to the top in 2025. Trust me, I learnt the hard way.
We’re at the start of 2025. Happy New Year!
Some of you reading this will feel as though that doesn’t ring true - we’re already at the end of January 2025 and you’re reading an article about starting the year. Is it that I’m late? Am I late? Have I missed my golden opportunity to #StartTheYearStrong? Am I doomed to wait until next month, next quarter, or next year to restart my new disciplines, work toward my goals, and accomplish something meaningful?
No. Not at all.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last few months, it’s to appreciate the beauty of time and life. I don’t have to beat to the drum of everyone else. I don’t have to fully subscribe to the hustle and grind mode we see plastered over every go-getting Instagram page. My experience of my existence is not something that needs to constantly be negotiated with, or held hostage by, anyone or anything.
Studies show that our perception of time changes as we age - time seems to fly by. Not because there’s something wrong with us per se, but actually because our lives became incredibly routine. We seek out fewer new experiences, and we don’t live as ‘mindfully’ or as content as we did when we were kids. As we grow older, we become more cynical, jaded, experienced and less prone to the beauty of wonder, patience, humility, discovery. Some of us, dare I say it, find ourselves at the extreme end, trying to fill what feels like a gaping void that has been allowed to fester.
Towards the end of the year, I became persistently ill. Very humbling considering I’m one of those keen beans - insufferable wellness people who always know the latest research on keeping yourself prim and proper, healthy and wealthy. I found myself contracting flu after flu after flu, a particularly nasty impacted wisdom tooth, and a fever which wouldn’t leave. I was bedridden and bedbound, unable to maintain my perfect streak of productivity, and it occurred to me that I simply needed to stop.
How often do we force ourselves to ‘push through’, not knowing that our body is ready to issue its final ultimatum? Eventually, I saw sense and rested—taking days off work and deciding to spend my time reading, sleeping, and eating—three things that had become luxuries to me. I even had to stop writing, to my chagrin, and if ever there was anything wrong with me, you’d know if I stopped writing.
I regained my strength after a mere week of listening to my body, and rather than launch myself full throttle into the throes of productivity, squeezing out my last before the Christmas break like a dehydrated lemon, I decided to spend the rest of the year, and the beginning of the new one… resting.
No lofty goals to smash just yet. No revenue goals, #OKRs, or targets. No projected view counts. No nothing. No strategic posting of content on social media. Just me, doing the things that I enjoyed. Spending time with my community. Picking up fiction books again. Moving my body for fun, not functionality. Spending time with the Lord without trying to recite the ever-growing list of people and things that needed to be interceded for.
Just finding peace and awe in the beauty of existence.
It was then, in the moments I spent feeling mindfully aware and giving my body time to wake itself up rather than springing into my epic morning routine.
It was then, in the moment I spent fully present with my friends, laughing over a pistachio latte, and tasting the combination of flavours that delighted me every single time, phone fully tucked away in my bag to prevent distractions.
It was then, in the moment I spent walking unhurriedly to the park with no music no podcast no noise - just the sounds of the metropolitan city giving way to the tiny oasis of nature encapsulated in park greenery every so often.
It was in those moments I realised that one of the most radical things this generation needs, is rest.
I took my time to write this article. Perhaps it shows, as you’re reading this. I hope so. You should take your time to do important things, too.
Rest Is a Biological Necessity
Science, history, and even ancient wisdom all agree: rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Our bodies are not designed to function optimally without regular rest. Sleep, for example, plays a fundamental role in maintaining physical and mental health. Sleep is one of my favourite things and I am privileged to be in a position to ensure that no-one, and nothing, interferes with that. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that chronic sleep deprivation—getting less than seven hours of sleep per night—is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression. A whole suite of pretty nasty things.
A groundbreaking study published in Nature found that sleep facilitates the removal of waste products from the brain, essentially giving your brain a "deep clean." This process helps improve memory, learning, and problem-solving skills.
Conversely, skipping rest impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and increases stress hormones, leading to burnout and a weakened immune system. Huh, go figure. Sounds exactly how I felt in early December.
🎨 Rest Fuels Creativity and Productivity
Paradoxically, rest is one of the best ways to boost productivity. In a study by Harvard Business Review, participants who took short, intentional breaks were significantly more productive than those who worked without pause. The brain’s capacity to focus is limited, and pushing past those limits without rest only diminishes performance.
Even historical innovators understood this. Did you know that Albert Einstein famously valued naps? And ol’ boy Nikola Tesla credited his breakthroughs to deliberate periods of relaxation and daydreaming.
Far from being a sign of laziness, intentional rest often fosters creativity, insight, and innovation.
🧠 Rest Isn’t Just Sleep—It’s Multi-Faceted
While sleep is critical, rest encompasses more than just catching Z’s. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician and researcher, identifies seven types of rest:
Physical Rest: Both passive (e.g., sleep, napping) and active (e.g., stretching, yoga).
Mental Rest: Taking breaks from intense cognitive tasks or overthinking.
Emotional Rest: Allowing yourself to express feelings openly and authentically.
Sensory Rest: Reducing overstimulation from screens, noise, or bright lights.
Social Rest: Setting boundaries with draining relationships and seeking uplifting connections.
Creative Rest: Reconnecting with beauty, inspiration, and nature.
Spiritual Rest: Engaging in practices that bring a sense of purpose and connection to a higher power.
By understanding these categories, you can identify which type of rest your body and mind may be craving. You can also ensure your approach to be proactive - how can you incorporate these types of rest in 2025?
As a Christian, I believe in a faith which emphasises the value of rest, from the creation story in Genesis, where God rested on the seventh day, to the commandment to observe the Sabbath.
Jesus Himself often withdrew from crowds to rest and pray, modelling the balance between work and restoration. Rest is portrayed not just as a physical need but as a spiritual discipline—a way to recalibrate, renew, and trust in God’s provision.
📝 Practical Ways to Incorporate Rest
Alright cool. Let’s make it practical now. 💥
Building rest into your life doesn’t mean abandoning responsibilities. It’s about weaving moments of restoration into your routine. Here are some actionable tips:
Prioritise Sleep: Establish a consistent sleep schedule and create a calming bedtime routine. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and screen-free. I know not everyone has this luxury (parents, shift workers and emergency key workers, we really do salute you), but where you can, try to improve your sleep hygiene. Article on sleep coming soon!
Take Micro-Breaks: Follow the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, or some variant of it) to maintain mental clarity.
Unplug Regularly: Schedule periods of digital detox to reduce sensory overload and reconnect with the present moment. There’s nothing like unplugging from the information overload to spend some time touching grass.
Engage in Active Rest: Gentle activities like stretching, walking, or mindful breathing can rejuvenate your body without taxing it. And seriously, who are you kidding—it’s about time you started stretching. I know your joints click when you climb out of bed in the morning.
Honor the Sabbath: Whether you observe a traditional Sabbath or dedicate a day to unplug and recharge, find time to rest in a way that nourishes your spirit. For me, that’s Sunday. I go to church, sometimes go for a meal with my fiancé, friends or family, I read, I bake for leisure, I catch up with friends, I spend an extended time sleeping. My Sabbaths so far have been so wonderful, as I really feel as though I can look forward to doing the things which really bring restoration.
Practice Saying No: Rest often requires setting boundaries and saying no to commitments that drain your energy unnecessarily. No is a complete sentence - use it as is necessary.
The Ripple Effect of Rest
Investing in rest doesn’t just benefit you—it impacts those around you. A well-rested individual is more patient, empathetic, and better equipped to handle life’s challenges. Families, workplaces, and communities thrive when people prioritize restoration.
Rest is not a weakness or an indulgence. It’s the foundation for a thriving life. As you navigate the demands of modern living, remember that rest is not the enemy of success—it’s the secret to sustaining it. So pause, take a breath, and give yourself permission to rest this year. There is much more to your life than simply what you can produce or achieve.
Your body, mind, and soul will thank you for it in 2025.
Happy New Year. How it feels good to be back!
Rest, beloved.
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Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV)
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.”
'My experience of my existence is not something that needs to constantly be negotiated with, or held hostage by anyone or anything.' YEAH! this is such an important reminder, especially at such a time as this. Such a phenomenal piece! Thankyou.
“rest is not the enemy of success—it’s the secret to sustaining it” 🔥🔥