She finally sat down to rest.
A warm cup of tea in her hands, a favorite show queued up, the house finally — blessedly — quiet.

And then it started.
 The hum in her mind.
 You should be folding laundry right now.
 The kids’ dentist appointment isn’t scheduled yet.
 That report for work is still unfinished.

By the time her tea cooled, the guilt had already won.
For many women, this scene isn’t an occasional interruption — it’s the default. Rest isn’t simply hard to find; it’s hard to allow. And the invisible weight of that guilt may be doing more damage than we realize.

Permission to Rest

Why do we feel we need permission, even from ourselves, to take and make time for rest? If you look at how the pace of our lives have changed, even over the last 20-25 years, it’s pretty astounding. Between our work commitments, our kids sports and extracurricular commitments, our social commitments, it’s no wonder creating this space for rest has become harder than ever. Somewhere along the way, rest has become some sort of luxury item that only a select few can afford. We look on with envy when we see someone leisurely laying by a pool, reading a book, laying on a blanket in the park or taking a Saturday afternoon nap and we start to resent them. Wondering what must be falling through the cracks of these peoples lives while they just seem so blissfully unaware of the world spinning at mach speed around them. Often times, when we feel an angst about something or a sense of resentment or annoyance starts to creep in, it’s usually a boundary that we have refused to create or enforce. If we want to prioritize rest, it may be time to set some boundaries in order to make some much needed space for our mind and our bodies to rest. 

Permission from Nature

Take a step back and simply observe the universe, nature and the cycles that are all around us. The universe is basically modeling for us what a healthy balance looks like. The planet itself takes a break every single day. Darkness falls, and it’s nature’s way of saying, “All right, time to rest, repair, and reset.” Plants, animals, even the tiniest microorganisms follow that rhythm without question. But when we push through with constant work, endless scrolling, and too much light, our bodies feel it — and our health pays the price.

Trees don’t bloom year-round; winter is their time to slow down, store energy, and grow deeper roots so they can flourish in spring. Farmers know the same is true for soil — without a season of rest, it becomes depleted and less fruitful. In nature, every creature rests when it needs to, without guilt or apology. We have that same instinct built in, but somewhere along the way, we were taught to ignore it.

Permission from Science

Science confirms that rest is not indulgence — it’s maintenance. Adequate rest, including short daily pauses, has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health according to a Frontiers in Psychology article from 2020. Downtime activates the brain’s default mode network, which fuels creativity and emotional processing according to the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. Without this mental space, problem-solving ability can drop by up to 40%. Nature Neuroscience tells us that sleep, the most vital form of rest, enhances memory consolidation by 20% and strengthens learning capacity. Reframing rest as a responsibility — as essential as eating or breathing — helps dismantle the guilt narrative and builds a sustainable foundation for creativity, productivity, and emotional well-being. 

Permission to be practical

I’m all about practicality. If it’s complicated, I’m out. I’m much more likely to try something and stick to it if it’s practical. So here are 7 types of rest and ways to implement it. First, the most obvious, physical rest, like sleeping or stretching or just chilling on the sofa. Second is sensory; unplug from screens and social media for a time as often as you feel you need it. Third would be an emotional rest. Take time and space to freely express your feelings instead of holding them inside. Talk with a trusted friend or just in private to yourself. Fourth is spiritual rest; meditate on things greater than yourself or find a cause that fills you up instead of sucks you dry. Fifth would be a mental rest. Schedule those short breaks or keep a gratitude journal. Sixth is a creative break; take in the beauty of the outdoors or find a hobby that’s only for you. Finally, the seventh is a social break. Take time to surround yourself with those who are positive and supportive to refill your cup. 

Priority vs Permission

It’s decided then. If science and nature and our own bodies are telling us that we need boundaries around our rest, then it’s time we built them. Just like any habit we attempt to build, it’s best to start small and implement time in short segments that provide even the smallest form of rest. You’ll begin to reap the benefits and begin to find that balance that we all hope to achieve.

Reframe your need for rest as much needed maintenance instead of a luxury that we need permission for. We will be more likely to make the time and have the freedom to enjoy it! Now go put your feet up, young lady! I insist! 

Check out more about Michelle on Plaid.