Why are we ashamed of needing to rest?

Our fear of admitting we need rest is deeply rooted. In a society that glorifies constant productivity, fatigue is often seen as a personal failing, and stopping to rest is a sign of laziness or weakness. We're taught to value resilience and uninterrupted availability, as if the body were a tireless machine rather than an organism with needs and limits.

Feeling the need to rest isn't laziness; it's our body communicating with us. However, we often ignore these signals, putting off breaks until the very end. When we finally do stop, it's common to feel guilty, as if we don't deserve that time. This guilt stems from a deep-rooted belief that our worth is directly tied to our ability to work nonstop.

However, rest is essential for our physical and mental health. When we rest, we allow our body to recover, our brain to process information, and our emotions to balance. Sleep deprivation and lack of breaks are linked to health problems such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and decreased ability to concentrate.

Instead of viewing rest as a luxury, it's crucial to see it as an act of responsibility and self-care. It's the foundation that supports our ability to be productive, present, and healthy in the long run. It's time to shift our perception, recognizing that rest is a basic human need, not a privilege to be earned.