Permission to Pause: Rest as a Pathway to Vitality
Because pushing through isn’t the only way forward.
Summertime is upon us. The season stretches before us with its longer days, warmer evenings, and the possibility of a slower rhythm. Yet, for many of us, it feels like anything but restful. We’ve internalized a relentless pace. Society has trained us to associate worth with output. To rest is to fall behind—or so the story goes.
But what if that story is wrong?
In DRIVEN’s May blog article, we explored what it feels like to run on fumes and how to gently begin refueling our energy. This month, we turn toward one of the more overlooked tools in the vitality toolkit: Rest & Recovery.
If you’re laughing right now, thinking “I cannot rest and recover; I’ve got too much to do”, take it from me: Giving yourself permission to rest can feel as counterintuitive as steering into a skid—but it’s the surest way to regain control.
When exhaustion clouds our thinking, even small choices feel overwhelming. And let’s face it: Rest isn’t all scented candles and bubble baths (though they can help). Deep recovery involves tending to the nervous system, allowing it to downshift from chronic activation into safety and renewal.
And yet, guilt often creeps in. R&R can feel “unearned” in a culture that glamorizes productivity. That guilt is compounded by the structural realities that many Americans face. According to the U.S. Travel Association, more than 55% of Americans don’t use all their paid vacation. Even those who can afford the time for rest, often don’t.
The Benefits of Rest (Yes, Science Says So!)
Research is clear: Rest isn’t indulgent—it’s essential.
A 2021 joint study by the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization found that long working hours led to 745,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29% increase since 2000.
Neuroscience research indicates that sleep not only helps counteract memory weakening but also supports problem-solving, creativity, and emotional regulation.
A study published in Cognition revealed that brief periods of rest can facilitate rapid insight, with participants more than twice as likely to solve problems after rest.
Interacting with nature has been shown to improve directed-attention abilities, supporting the Attention Restoration Theory.
Perhaps even more importantly, rest enhances our capacity for presence and joy. The Journal of Happiness Studies has published research indicating that intentional rest—time spent relaxing without distraction—is strongly correlated with increased life satisfaction and moment-to-moment happiness.
And that’s what we’re really after: A life more fully felt, not just filled.
Start Small (Like, Baby Turtle Small)
At DRIVEN, we believe that baby steps yield compound interest—an idea at the heart of our LAB philosophy. Whether you’re struggling to sleep, to slow down, or to even imagine what rest might feel like, start small.
Instead of aiming for “Sleep Banking”, consider a gentler beginning:
Pause between meetings to take three conscious breaths.
End your day with one screen-free hour, allowing your mind to transition.
Walk without your smartphone, even if it’s just around the block.
Sit quietly with your morning coffee, without reaching for your to-do list.
These micro-moments matter. As Viktor Frankl wrote, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose.” Rest helps us reclaim that space.
And yes—Momo would approve. (She’s our unofficial mascot: A slow-and-steady turtle who reminds us that presence outpaces hustle.)
Looking Ahead
If rest has felt elusive, it might be time to revisit what refuels you. Later this month, we’ll be sharing a downloadable Vitality Audit Quiz, offering a concrete way to check in on your five energy tanks—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and social.
Until then, take this as your permission slip. Rest doesn’t have to be earned. It’s part of the work.
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