Resilience Through Rest: Why Slowing Down is Key

When was the last time you truly rested—not just paused, but recharged in a way that fuelled your energy and resilience?

Many of us—myself included—have deeply ingrained beliefs that to be successful, and even to feel valuable in society, we need to go, go, go and do, do, do.

I’ll never forget when I fell and developed what my neurologist called a “severe traumatic brain injury.” Even then—with my head pounding, ears ringing, and my body screaming for rest—I found it SO hard to stop. I still felt the pull to keep going, to prove I was still capable. I wanted to work, be productive, help my kids with homework and make dinners from scratch. Slowing down felt unnatural, almost like giving up.

Resting wasn’t just difficult—it felt impossible.

But I wasn’t getting better. At some point, I realized I had to slow down and rest—not just to heal physically but to reframe my entire perspective on rest and doing.

I had to see rest not as a luxury but as essential.

I had to reframe rest as my key to working well, my key to success. I had to stop “forceful doing” and start embracing “effortless being.”

And that was scary.

I had to shift my entire mindset—from believing I was worthy because of what I did and achieved, to accepting that I was lovable simply for being me. For someone who had spent years tying my worth to my productivity, this was a massive reframe.

Rest wasn’t just about healing my body
—it was about healing my relationship with myself.

Redefining Resilience

In the Certified Resilience Coach Program, we teach that resilience isn’t about bouncing back—it’s about keeping your batteries fully charged. Think of your phone: if it’s unplugged for too long, it doesn’t work. Neither do you.

But so many of us—especially high-achieving individuals—don’t know how to slow down or set boundaries to rest and recover. Instead, we push, push, push until we burn out.

The truth is, rest is not a luxury. It’s the foundation of resilience. And it’s also one of the most misunderstood aspects of success.

How to Rest in a Way That Fuels You

For those of us who value productivity, rest can feel counterintuitive. That’s why I love reframing it as productive rest.

Productive rest isn’t about collapsing in front of the TV while scrolling your phone and mentally running through your to-do list. That’s overstimulation, not recharging. Productive rest is intentional and rejuvenating. It’s about replenishing your energy so you can show up fully in life.

Here’s how to embrace productive rest:

Unplug from Screens: Step away from your phone, laptop, or tablet. Disconnecting helps calm your nervous system and allows your mind to decompress.

Focus on One Thing: Choose a single restful activity—whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book, or simply lying down. Allow yourself to focus completely on that experience.

Take Slow, Deep Breaths: Conscious breathing sends a signal to your body to relax, shifting it into the parasympathetic state—your “rest and digest” mode.

Set Aside the To-Do List: Trust that your tasks can wait. Giving yourself permission to pause will leave you more energized and focused when you return to them.

Why Rest Fuels Resilience

When you prioritize rest, something amazing happens. You become more efficient, creative, and focused. You solve problems more easily, regulate your emotions better, and have more energy to show up fully in life.

As one of my yoga therapy teachers used to say, “Rest is an act of self-respect.” Yet so many of us resist it, believing it’s indulgent or lazy. The truth is, rest isn’t about stopping—it’s about preparing to keep going.

What’s Your Relationship With Rest?

Ask yourself:

💡 Do I allow myself to fully rest, or do I stay busy even when I’m “taking a break”?

💡 What boundaries can I set to protect my time to recharge?

💡 How can I prioritize the most productive rest possible this week?

Resilience Starts With You

In the Certified Resilience Coach Program, we reframe resilience as something sustainable and achievable. It’s about learning the habits that help you stay fully charged—rest included.

This December, I’m offering a special bonus: when you sign up, you’ll receive a free copy of my book, A New Way to Be: Becoming Resilient One Habit, Breath, and Moment at a Time. It’s packed with practical tools and insights to help you embody resilience in every area of your life.

Learn more about the program here.

Let’s commit to resting, recharging, and showing up fully—together.

With strength and purpose,

Monica