The Power of Rest as a New Year's Resolution
New Year’s resolutions typically involve doing more. Taking up a new hobby, working toward a promotion at work, getting better grades, exercising more, etc. But, what if they were about doing less? What if, instead of going to hot power yoga, you went to the relaxing stretching class? Or, on a larger scale, what if you cut out time in your daily routine to just rest, whatever that means for you? The thought might be tempting but also terrifying.
In our go, go, go NYC routine, rest might be synonymous with sickness or weakness. But, really, it goes hand in hand with health and wellness. Our busy minds and bodies need a break!
Read on to discover the power that comes with rest, its tangible benefits, as well as some ideas of what rest might look like for you.
The Power of Rest
We live in a society that largely promotes doing the most. That might look like staying the latest at work to prove your commitment and endurance. It might look like doing the hardest HIIT class early in the morning before you grind all day. Maybe it manifests in all-nighters trying to rank at the top of your class. Or, it could mean you’re going out almost every night to take advantage of your youth. You might even be doing all of the above. If that’s the case, you probably need a break. You also probably know that you need a break but are too scared to take one.
Breaking free from your endless grind is a sign of power, not weakness. It is a rejection of the pressures you place on yourself, as well as larger familial and societal demands.
Resting is a decision to care for yourself, your inner peace, and sense of stability. A balanced mental health state is a super power that will ultimately allow you to think more clearly, produce better work, and care for your loved ones. This state cannot be achieved without taking time to rest.
The Tangible Benefits of Rest
We know, you’re probably thinking you’re doing so well in your stressed out state. You might even think it is the key to performing well at your job or in school. And, while a healthy amount of stress can be beneficial, it should not be all-consuming.
Taking the time to rest can have life-changing benefits:
Clarity of thought
Room for creativity
Decreased anxiety
Time to fully give yourself to loved ones
Balanced mental state
Calm nervous system
The list only contains a few examples. We highly encourage you to try resting to see the personal and unique positive effects it has on your life.
Some Ideas for What Rest Might Look Like
Ready to try resting but don’t know where to start? First of all, rest is different from sleep. While a healthy sleep schedule also has positive benefits, and resting may look like a form of sleep to you, it happens during waking hours.
We encourage you to form your own definition of rest. But, as a starting point, we think of it as an intentional period during the day in which you prioritize ease, relaxation, and recovery.
Some examples include:
Shavasana pose in yoga
Watching a relaxing YouTube vlog with a candle lit
Sitting in silence with tea or hot chocolate
Stretching
Taking a warm bath
Investing in a facial, massage, or acupuncture
A moment of easy breathwork
You can also check out these 6 nervous system resets
Take a moment for yourself to see if any of these examples resonate with you, or if they sparked your own idea of rest.
Conclusion
Remember that making the decision to rest is a powerful one. It is a decision to resist pressure and instead prioritize your well-being. Integrating rest into your everyday life can be challenging, at first, but we hope some of our ideas serve as catalysts for a restful 2026.
