The Importance of Strategic Rest in Keeping Your High Performance Sustainable

What is strategic rest? And how does it play a pivotal role in sustaining high performance?

Just as athletes plan for rest and recovery in their training programs, incorporating strategic rest into our lives can help you maintain your mental well-being and optimize your productivity!

Strategic rest can take many forms – is can be active or passive, and it won’t look the same for everyone. The key is that these activities will help you find balance, recharge, and ultimately reach your peak performance. 

The Link Between Flow and Rest: Cultivating Optimal Performance

In order to be your most productive – you need to rest. Strategic rest is intrinsically connected to achieving a state of flow. And flow is where our best work and thinking happens! During flow, we use up a lot of energy and many neurotransmitters, and strategic rest helps us to restore these neurochemicals. By allowing yourself to rest, you increase your likelihood of getting into flow whenever you need it. 

Resting your mind and allowing it to wander during periods of relaxation helps foster creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Embracing strategic rest can pave the way for increased focus, innovation, and optimal performance when you return to your work or projects.

Wondering where to start? Here are a few of the best strategies for strategic rest based in neuroscience!

(1) Follow Your Gut: Listen to Your Body’s Signals

Your brain is not the only place where memories and feelings are stored – your body keeps record of these as well! Our bodies possess innate wisdom, constantly sending signals about what we need, feel, and experience. One of the first steps to implementing strategic rest is simply listening to your gut instincts. When you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or mentally drained, it’s a clear sign that rest is necessary. Your body is screaming at you to pay attention – so listen!

Incorporate mindfulness practices into your routine to cultivate self-awareness and recognize when your body and mind are craving rest. By honoring these signals, you can take proactive steps towards rest and relaxation – rather than reactionary.

(2) Embrace Your Inner Child: Rediscover What Brings You Joy

Think back to when you were a child and reflect on the activities that brought you genuine, pure joy and excitement. Engaging in these activities as adults can be incredibly restorative! Often, we lose a little bit of our whimsy as we age, we become more pragmatic and inhibited. These are important qualities to have, of course, when existing in the “real” adult world – but learning to let go and live free and in the moment for no reason other than simply enjoying it is something we could really learn from children. Whether it’s painting, dancing, playing an instrument, or engaging in imaginative play, connecting with your inner child can invigorate your spirit and provide a much-needed break from the demands of everyday life. 

(3) The Power of Sleep: Restore and Recharge Your Mind

I’ve said it before, and I will continue to say it again and again (and again!): good sleep is essential! Not only does sleep impact your physical health, but it is seriously important for your cognitive functioning and emotional well-being too.  Strategic rest should include prioritizing quality sleep. Many of us had a bedtime routine when we were younger, but as we grow and life gets more demanding, we lose that structure to our evenings and a good sleep schedule falls to the wayside. By allowing your brain and body to rest, you set the stage for increased focus, creativity, and overall productivity, so it’s time to start reprioritizing our sleep. Create a conducive sleep environment, establish a consistent bedtime routine, and ensure you are getting the recommended amount of sleep each night – keep at this for 2 weeks and let me know how good you feel after! 

(4) Nature’s Nurturing Touch: Find Solace in the Outdoors

Spending time in nature offers a profound sense of tranquility – even to the busiest of minds. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll through a park, a hike in the mountains, or simply sitting by the ocean, immersing yourself in natural surroundings can reduce stress, enhance mood, and promote mental clarity. Make it a point to include regular doses of nature in your strategic rest plan. I always try to take as many of my calls as possible while walking in the forest– not only can I get exercise and sunlight while I am on the call, but it is easy to slip right into some strategic rest once I hang up the phone since I am already immersed in nature!

(5) Mastery, Progress, and Fulfillment: Engage in Hands-On Activities

There is immense satisfaction in engaging in activities that allow us to see tangible results and experience a sense of progress. Whether it’s woodworking, gardening, cooking, doing needlepoint, crocheting, or any other skill you enjoy, pursuing activities that require hands-on involvement can be deeply rewarding. You are able to see the results of your efforts in real time, giving your brain a little dopamine boost and a sense of accomplishment. Channelling your energy into something that gives you tangible results gives you a much-needed break from the intangible demands of work.

(6) Movement and Active Recovery: Energize Your Body and Mind

Remember when I said that strategic rest can be passive or active? Well, here’s why. Engaging in active recovery can help release tension, boost mood, and recharge your energy levels. Going back to the athlete analogy, athletes will use a mixture of both active rest days (when they still train, but it is well below their threshold) and passive rest days. Your brain needs both as well! Incorporate physical activities like yoga, Pilates, or a leisurely bike ride into your rest routine. Even going for a walk instead of taking a vehicle to run an errand can be a great way to get some movement in and help boost your mood. The combination of movement and relaxation creates a perfect synergy to invigorate both the body and mind.

Prioritize Strategic Rest for Sustainable Performance and Productivity

Strategic rest is not a luxury; it is a necessity. If you want to maintain sustainable high performance, you need to give yourself the time to rest, and rest well. By incorporating practices such as listening to your body, embracing joyful activities, getting quality sleep, immersing yourselves in nature, pursuing hands-on endeavors, and engaging in active recovery, you will be well on your way to creating a holistic approach to strategic rest.
Remember, rest is not a sign of weakness or laziness, but a vital component of our overall success and well-being. So, go ahead and schedule that massage, take a walk in nature, or rediscover a childhood passion. Give yourself permission to rest strategically and watch your performance skyrocket.

Want more brain-friendly tips?

Check out my Wall Street Journal bestselling book, The Brain-Friendly Workplace: Why Talented People Quit and How to Get Them to Stay. And if you felt inspired, please leave an Amazon review. I read every single one and would love to see yours there!

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