There Is Great Value In Rest And Recovery For Both Personal Growth And Career Goals
The world moves fast for both workers and students alike. And, most of the time, it can feel as if we are falling behind in our career pursuits and development, if we aren’t constantly being productive, that is… However, over longer periods of time, this behavior of perpetual productivity in your career can lead to burnout, and even illness. Constant work causes us to ultimately lose our personal sense of balance. Continuously producing, nonstop, is sort of like continuously exhaling… you can only realistically do it for so long, before you have to take an in-breath for yourself. So, inhale every now and then. Take a break here and there. It’s good for you. And, don’t let the pressure to attend a lot of events, gatherings, and seminars lead you to giving up on rest and recovery. The benefits of resting can help you with your career prep and development in the long run.
Rest and recovery are, indeed, critically important. The faster our world moves in the times ahead, the more important rest will become to all of us. And, here are just a few of the many reasons why it’s good for you and your career…
Rest leads to reduced stress and lessened anxiety, and it tends to improve mood, too
While the concept of “rest” can be difficult to define, because it can look different for every individual, rest in the field of wellness is often considered to be any behavior aimed at increasing physical or mental well-being. Rest can be active, such as going for a nature walk, or it can be passive, such as meditating for fifteen minutes or taking a quick power-nap. Regardless of how you choose to rest, these daily behaviors help both your mind and body recover in ways science is only beginning to understand. What is generally agreed upon in recent studies is that rest lowers baseline stress responses during normal times, which then helps us cope better with major stressors during times of upheaval in our lives. Rest also seems to be correlated with lower overall levels of anxiety, and it also tends to bring about a boost in mood and outlook, too. Creativity also seems to be enhanced by periods of rest. So, bringing a more resilient and creative self to your career prep and development is a natural by-product of being well-rested.
Rest and recovery can lead to overall improved immune health, allowing you to be more consistent in your career
If there’s anything that’s been in focus since the start of COVID-19, it’s immune health and the importance of a good immune system. Resting regularly, and giving your body and mind a chance to recover from the constantly occurring stressors in life, allows for hormone balance, better internal systems regulations, and overall improved immune functioning. This goes beyond just making sure you get your regular eight hours of sleep every night. It also means building in time periods each day for a bit of rest, and even scheduling whole days every now and then where you are geared towards proper recovery from the turmoil of everyday living. Giving yourself a chance to rest and recover can ultimately help you to be more focused and engaged in your career pursuits.
Rest periods can help you find greater contentment with your life and your career trajectory
It is theorized that a good portion of the reason that we are unable to find adequate rest is because we are under the constant impression that our lives can, and should be, better than they are today. This constant drive to improve our social and financial standings can rob us of contentment and joy, if we aren’t careful. Ultimately, rest is an extension of our contentment and sense of security. Try to take time in the quiet moments to stop focusing on what you don’t have, and to start enjoying the things you do. The more enjoyment and stability you perceive in your life presently, the more likely you are to actually rest and then recover from the daily grind. This contentment can then follow you back into your career preparations and planning, making goals more reasonable and attainable.
To read a Stride Student Advisor’s perspective on preventing burnout, be sure to visit the article: Knowing When To Take A Break From Schoolwork.
And, check out the latest tips on How Not To Spend Your Winter Holiday, from a Stride Career Prep Success Coach, too!
Considering enrolling your child in a Stride K12 school, for further education and career prep options and experiences? The best time is always now!