Rest and play as essential to your work and your humanity

And you don't need to feel guilty about either.

Photo by Jannes Glas on Unsplash

We all know the feeling: there’s a stack of tasks waiting, a looming deadline, and a persistent voice in the back of your mind telling you that if you just keep going, you’ll finally get it all done. It’s tempting to believe that the only way forward is to push through, to work harder, to stay up later. But here’s the thing—pushing through exhaustion rarely gets you the clarity or focus you need. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away, rest, and let play do its magic.

But rest and play aren’t just productivity hacks; they’re essential to who we are as humans.

Rest Isn’t Optional

In academia, rest can feel indulgent. There’s always another draft to write, another article to read, and another email to send. We convince ourselves that if we just keep going, we’ll finally feel “caught up.” But here’s the truth: rest isn’t optional. It’s a biological and emotional necessity.

Rest lets your body recover from stress and gives your brain the space to think creatively. It’s why some of your best ideas show up when you’re lying in bed or taking a walk. When we’re rested, we’re not just better at solving problems—we’re also more resilient in the face of setbacks.

Want some tips on how to rest without feeling guilty? Check out this post:

Ignoring the "Should Be Doings"