I’ve recently been out with the flu. Influenza A. The whole family went down with it and trust me, I highly recommend avoiding this one.

But here’s the thing.

Even though I teach my clients about the importance of micro-breaks… Even though I promote mindfulness as a powerful way to reset the nervous system and bring us back into the present moment… Even though I know I tap into more creativity and deeper intuition when I slow down… it still took a full-blown flu to force me to put the brakes on.

And I had to ask myself: Why?

Why do we resist rest so much? Why do we keep pushing, cramming, doing more? Is it the little thrill we get from ticking things off a to-do list, is it the dopamine hit that keeps us hooked on busyness? Is it that our schedules are simply too full, with more demands than time in the day? Or is it the illusion that if we just keep going, we’ll get to our goals, our promotions, or our definition of success faster?

The truth is, most of us have an outdated definition of rest.

Redefining Rest

We often see rest as “slowing down,” as falling behind, as losing momentum. But the truth is, rest isn’t the opposite of productivity, it’s the foundation of it.

Rest allows us not only to function at our best, but also to unlock creativity, connect with our inner wisdom, and generate fresh, original ideas. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with information (and let’s be honest, we love consuming it) it becomes almost impossible to hear our own voice.

This is why calm and mindfulness are not about doing less. They’re about creating balance.

And tied to that is the difference between being busy and being productive. We often fill our days with endless activity, but not all of it actually moves us forward. Sometimes the most powerful step we can take is to pause.

When I was a professional ballet dancer, rest and recovery weren’t optional — they were built into the process. We wouldn’t dream of stepping on stage for a demanding performance without adequate recovery beforehand. Athletes understand this too: rest is what enables performance.

And yet in the corporate world, in leadership, and in our everyday lives, we’ve lost sight of this simple truth. We’re missing something fundamental.

The Neuroscience of Rest

Here’s why rest matters so much: your brain needs it.

When we’re constantly “on,” the brain burns through its key resources — oxygen and glucose at a rapid pace. Mental fatigue sets in, and the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for focus, problem-solving, and creative thinking) starts to shut down. That’s why after hours of back-to-back meetings or multitasking marathons, even small decisions feel exhausting.

Rest resets our system.

When we pause…for a short walk, a few minutes of mindful breathing, or simply stepping away from the desk, the brain activates what’s known as the default mode network. This is the brain’s “reset” system, and it’s linked to memory consolidation, self-reflection, and creative insight.

It’s in these quieter states that we often connect the dots in new ways, access unique solutions, or hear our inner wisdom more clearly.

In other words: rest isn’t wasted time; it’s where our best ideas stem from.

What I See With Clients

I’ve already witnessed powerful shifts in clients who embrace this. When they start to see rest and recovery not as indulgences but as performance enhancers, everything changes.

They’re sharper in meetings. More present with their teams. More creative in problem-solving. And they begin to notice that the quality of their work rises as the quantity of their busyness falls.

Because here’s the neuroscience-backed reality: without rest, we can’t access our full cognitive capacity. But we can with a rested brain.

Try This Instead

So what if we rewrite the success formula…

Instead of: More effort = More progress

What if we tried: Effort + Rest = Sustainable performance

We wouldn’t expect an athlete to train harder and harder without recovery and still perform at their best. We wouldn’t expect a dancer to step on stage without adequate rest and still deliver a flawless performance.

So why do we expect ourselves, as leaders, professionals, and human beings, to keep going without pause ….and yet still show up at our best?

Day To Day

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I don’t have time for rest,” here’s the truth: you don’t have time not to.

Here are three small ways to start integrating recovery into your day:

1. Micro-breaks: Every 60–90 minutes, step away from your screen and move. Just a few minutes can reset your brain’s resources.

2. Give your brain a mini vacation: no podcast, no scrolling, no emails. This “white space” is where creativity emerges.

3. Redefine productivity: Before adding more to your to-do list, ask: Is this moving me forward, or just keeping me busy?

Small, consistent rest moments compound over time. They’re not slowing you down. They’re propelling you forward.

Final Thought

Rest is not a luxury. It’s biology. It’s neuroscience. And it’s the foundation for sustainable success.

If you want to perform at your best, to lead with clarity, to create work that truly matters — rest isn’t the thing that takes you away from progress. It’s the very thing that makes progress possible.

So the next time you’re tempted to push through without a break, remember: even the strongest athletes and the most disciplined dancers build rest into their performance plan, because they know it’s essential.