Exercising your Right to Rest

In a world that glorifies hustle culture, stepping away from work can feel like career sabotage. The guilt creeps in —shouldn’t we be doing more? Am I abandoning my team by taking a break? What if they determine they don’t need me anymore? But science tells a different story: just as sleep is essential for human restoration, deliberate rest in the workplace is crucial for strategic problem-solving and thoughtful interactions and can make you more valuable to your teams.

Consider sleep. While we close our eyes and power down, our brains are far from idle. They consolidate memories, process emotions, and can reset and renew outlooks—all the behind-the-scenes work that allows us to wake up refreshed and ready to tackle complex problems. Rest in a work setting operates the same way. When we take a break and fully disconnect from work, we’re giving our minds space to breathe, think beyond the workbook cells and emails, and explore new ways of seeing the same topic. That space allows us to return sharper, more creative, and better equipped to engage in high-level thinking.

Research shows that when we’re well-rested, we don’t just work better, we think better. Strategic problem-solving requires mental clarity, and deep, uninterrupted focus is easier when we’re not running on fumes. It’s no coincidence that some of the best ideas arise in moments of relaxation—whether during a contemplative walk, a quiet coffee break, or even that magical moment right before asleep.

Disconnecting from work mimics the effects of sleep when it comes to renewing your energy and preparing you for the trials of work.

For years, I struggled with stepping away. I convinced myself that disconnecting meant abandoning my team. If I wasn't constantly available, things might spiral and people would feel unsupported. But here’s the truth: the ability to step back as a leader isn’t a weakness, it’s proof of strength. A leader who can take time away is a leader who has built a team capable of thriving independently. To me, that’s the real definition of success—not just personal productivity and individual accomplishments, but empowering others to function without you. That’s when you know you’ve built something truly sustainable.

Beyond productivity, rest enhances our interactions with others. Ever tried having a meaningful conversation while exhausted? It’s tough. Rested minds are more patient, empathetic, and receptive, which leads to stronger workplace relationships and deeper collaboration.

The irony is that taking a step back feels like slacking, but it’s actually an investment in sharper thinking and stronger execution. So the next time you're debating whether to power through exhaustion or give yourself a break, remember: your laptop isn’t the only thing that benefits from a reset.