Reclaiming Rest
When do you truly rest, stop thinking about work, and rejuvenate? Recently, I spent a few weeks in Israel. Walking through the streets of Jerusalem on Friday around 2pm, you could see many of the shops about to close their doors. As the Jewish Shabbat celebration was about to begin, commerce for that week was coming to an end.
Eating lunch at a street food shop in the Machane Yehuda markets, I saw tourists arrive expecting to order food. To their dismay, the servers at the restaurant kindly and with smiles on their faces informed the customers that they were closing for Shabbat and would be unable to serve them. Astonished, I began to think about how different this culture was to our American context. This restaurant was closing at 3pm and turning away customers while establishments in the US often will stay open hours past closing time if enough customers stop in.
Traditional religious observance around times for rest have, in some ways, become viewed as outdated or unnecessary as religion today plays a lesser role in public life. However, there is something about this tradition of time for rest that I think all of us can learn from whether you are religious or not. It’s something that we don’t practice enough of in the business community.
Fear Drives us
Fear drives us to stay constantly connected. We fear missing out on a sale as another company might be willing to stay open later, work when others will not, or be in a space where others aren’t. We fear not having enough time to handle the work we have given ourselves or have been given. We fear our email inbox will be filled to the brim if we don’t constantly check-in on our day off. We fear we might miss an opportunity or connection. We fear someone else might pass us in the promotion line.
This fear has been driven by our never-ending options for being connected. Email, texting, and conference calls not only deliver messages faster than ever before, they can now be with us every minute of our day. Notifications capture our attention and draw us into working on another task or project. Carrying out simple coffee shop conversations can immediately be co-opted as our attention shifts to the glowing phone on the table and the all too familiar follow-up, “sorry, give me just a second.”
At the same time, all of our fears may be valid. Someone might jump at an opportunity or make a sale in our absence. Our culture does not readily support the idea of totally disengaging from our work lives to rest. It’s a race to the finish line and those who work night and day during every possible moment usually prevail. Or do they?
Although depression and anxiety may not necessarily be on the rise according to many reports, we are more aware of it and it’s effects today than ever before. It’s time to reclaim the idea of rest and disconnecting. While this might not look like the religious observances of the past, we need to take a break, stand back, and create space for ourselves and others. Making time for rest rejuvenates our creativity, motivation, and relationships. The alternative often leaves us stuck in place while our relationships to family, friends, and coworkers become challenged. Rest is essential.
Creating a culture of disconnecting and rest may be difficult in our lives as structures prevent us from taking an entire day off. It looks different for everyone. I have thought some about this recently and just brainstormed a few suggestions to help us start thinking about how to fit this into our daily lives.
Recognize The World Will Be There When You Return
It’s natural to think that only we can take care of something and if we don’t do it right away, all will be lost. Often, that is just not true. Even if things require our unique touch, usually they will still be there in a few hours or the next day to take care of. We like to overestimate our importance and putting all the weight on our shoulders can be destructive.
Empower Your Teams to Do the Same
Often, making time for rest is easier when you have a team willing to fill in the gaps. If there is a need to be constantly on call, try to work out a schedule so that everyone can disconnect without leaving any holes or places for missed opportunity. Supporting others to find a time of rest is easier than you might think and will give you the assurance you need to feel secure in taking a time-out.
Plan Time in Your Calendar & Respect That
It might be hard to take a full day and get away. However, 2-4 hour slots throughout your week can go a long way. Put it in your calendar, don’t schedule anything during that time, and learn to say “no” to things that can wait.
Lose the Phone
This is your time! Don’t worry about the news or that email inbox. It will be there when you get back. I know your phone can do many other things but having it with you increases the likelihood that you will be tempted to check-in while trying to check-out.
Don’t Worry About Your Image
Often the biggest detractor from taking rest is that we might be seen as “not busy” or as not having an engaging career. We want people to think we are needed and play important roles. So, we pull out our laptops on vacations and make phone calls during family meals. “Can’t you see, I have work to do.” Loose this perspective. Showing you have boundaries is just as affirming to many as seeming always distant and not present.
Taking a Break Doesn’t Always Mean Doing Nothing
Many people loathe the idea of rest because they think it only means sleep or doing nothing. Rest can be accomplished in many ways. Simply doing what you love or participating in a hobby can give you what I will call “emotional rest.”
You might not agree with me on some or all of what I mentioned here. However, I challenge you to try just taking a break just once and then come back to me. In the short time that I have been trying to practice intentional rest, I’ve been happier, more engaged, and more productive at work. I hope that the same will be true for you!