## Introduction to Rest In a world where work has become the cornerstone of our identity, it's easy to forget the importance of rest. My journey into the concept of rest began when I took a sabbatical after leaving academia and the corporate world. What I discovered was a profound disconnect from an ancient and broader conception of leisure, a mix of contemplation and action that our modern work ethic has all but erased. ## The Lost Art of Leisure Historically, rest was not just a passive state, but an active and integral part of a fulfilling life. The ancient Greeks saw rest as a great gift, the pinnacle of civilized life. The Roman Stoics argued that a good life cannot be achieved without good work, but also without good rest. Every ancient society recognized that both work and rest were necessary for a balanced and meaningful existence. Today, we've lost touch with this wisdom, and our lives are poorer and less fulfilling as a result. Josef Pieper, a German philosopher, described leisure not just as spare time, but as "an attitude of non-activity, of inward calm." This concept of leisure is far removed from our modern understanding, where rest is often seen as a negative space in a life defined by toil, ambition, and accomplishment. In our 24/7, always-on world, the concept of turning off is an anachronism. ## The Consequences of Overwork When our identity becomes too wrapped up in being a worker, we become lost. The phrase "If your work is your self, when you cease to work, you cease to exist" resonates deeply in our culture. We prioritize work over relationships and recovery, often wearing overwork as a badge of honor. This has led to a burnout epidemic, where technologies that promised flexibility now chain us to work, creating the expectation that we'll always be accessible. ## The Importance of Deliberate Rest Rest is not something that magically appears when we need it; it's something we must take deliberately. We have to resist the lure of busyness, make time for rest, take it seriously, and protect it from a world intent on stealing it. This concept is what I call "deliberate rest," akin to deliberate practice but applied to rest. It involves engagement rather than mere passivity. Deliberate rest is about being physically or mentally active in ways that recharge us. For instance, activities like hiking or deep play—voluntary, intrinsically rewarding, mentally and physically engaging, and imaginative—can be incredibly restorative. These activities are often absorbing and effortless, challenging the modern idea that every moment of our lives must be monetized. ## Examples from Influential Leaders Historical figures and modern leaders have exemplified the importance of rest. Charles Darwin, for example, managed to write over 19 books while working only five hours a day. He achieved this by taking regular breaks and ensuring he had ample time for rest and contemplation. Similarly, Ernest Hemingway would stop his writing day at a strategic point, allowing his mind to subconsciously work on the idea before returning to it the next day. ## The Science Behind Rest Neuroscience supports the idea that rest is crucial for productivity and creativity. During rest, especially sleep, our brains consolidate memories and process information. Visual tasks, emotionally laden experiences, and procedural memories are consolidated during REM sleep, while declarative memories are consolidated during slow-wave sleep. This process is essential for mental clarity and physical energy. ## Integrating Rest into Daily Life To integrate rest into our daily lives, we need to rethink our approach to work and leisure. Morning routines, walking, sleep, exercise, and sabbaticals are all important components of deliberate rest. It's about recognizing that work and rest are not opposites but partners, like different parts of a wave. The better you are at resting, the better you will be at working. This means scheduling rest as you would any other important task. It means taking vacations regularly, not just as a luxury but as a necessity. As Jessica de Bloom, a psychologist, puts it, vacations are like sleep—you need to take them regularly to benefit. ## Conclusion: Redefining Success In the end, it's about redefining what success means to us. Success is not just about the hours we put in but about the quality of those hours. It's about finding work that gives our life meaning, work that lets us be our best selves and helps us become better selves. This kind of work is an unparalleled pleasure when it goes well and is worth fighting and sacrificing for when it goes poorly. Rest is not the absence of work; it's the augmentation of work. By embracing rest as an integral part of our lives, we can achieve more, be more productive, and live more fulfilling lives. It's time we rediscovered the good that rest can do and made it a central part of our daily lives.

Here are the key insights from the book "Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less": ## The Importance of Rest in Modern Society - Rest is often misunderstood and undervalued in modern society, where work is seen as the cornerstone of identity and rest as a negative space or a sign of weakness[1][3]. ## Historical Perspective on Rest and Leisure - Ancient societies, such as the Greeks and Roman Stoics, recognized the importance of both work and rest for a balanced and meaningful life. Leisure was seen as an active and integral part of life, not just passive spare time[2][4]. ## Consequences of Overwork - Overemphasizing work leads to a burnout epidemic, where individuals prioritize work over relationships and recovery, wearing overwork as a badge of honor. This can result in mental and physical exhaustion[1][3]. ## Deliberate Rest - Rest must be taken deliberately, involving engagement rather than mere passivity. Activities like hiking, deep play, and other mentally and physically engaging tasks can be restorative and recharge energy[1][3]. ## Examples from Influential Leaders - Historical figures like Charles Darwin and Ernest Hemingway exemplified the importance of rest. They achieved significant productivity by working in focused intervals and taking regular breaks for rest and contemplation[1][3]. ## The Science Behind Rest - Neuroscience supports that rest, especially sleep, is crucial for consolidating memories, processing information, and enhancing productivity and creativity. Different types of sleep consolidate different types of memories[1][3]. ## Integrating Rest into Daily Life - Rest should be integrated into daily routines, including morning routines, walking, sleep, exercise, and regular vacations. Scheduling rest is as important as scheduling work[1][3]. ## Work and Rest as Partners - Work and rest are not opposites but partners. The better one is at resting, the better one will be at working. This balance is essential for sustainable productivity and creativity[1][3]. ## Redefining Success - Success should be redefined to include not just the quantity of work hours but the quality of those hours. It involves finding meaningful work that allows one to be their best self and continuously improve[1][3]. ## The Role of Sabbaticals - Sabbaticals, whether short or long, play a crucial role in work-life balance, health, and intellectual development. Frequent, shorter breaks can be more beneficial than rare, long ones[1]. ## Napping and Its Benefits - Napping is highly beneficial for energy, creativity, memory, and avoiding mistakes. Notable figures like Churchill and Thomas Edison were habitual nappers, highlighting its importance for high performers[1].