Releasing the Guilt Around Rest

I’ve been saying it for weeks now... I need a true vacation. I’ve taken days off recently, but it didn’t feel like a day off. I was constantly doing something – cleaning the house, cooking, traveling, or doing something I really didn’t want to do. 

What I’m really craving isn’t just a day off of work. It’s rest. Complete rest without feeling guilty for not being “productive.” 

I tried that over the weekend and what happened? I guilt-tripped myself into doing housework or made myself feel bad for scrolling on social media or watching TV. 

The guilt is still there sometimes, but now that I’m more aware of it, I can actually do something about it. 

So let’s talk about true rest and how we can work to not feel so guilty or ashamed when we allow ourselves to slow down. Because we don’t just crave rest – we NEED it. It’s non-negotiable for stress relief and nervous system health. 

Why We Feel Guilty About Rest 

Let’s be frank here... 

We live in a society where productivity determines our worth to ourselves and others. Even more frankly, it’s bull. 

We’re taught that we have to hustle harder to be more successful, to feel accomplished, to provide for ourselves and families, and to get to the top. 

Because we live in this society, it instills internal beliefs about self-worth, productivity, and rest. When we rest, our minds might tell us that we’re lazy or that if we don’t keep going we will n e v e r be good enough. 

But what good is that doing? 

You barely sleep, you feel awful, and you hate yourself. 

This pattern is also a slippery slope to the comparison trap – where we compare ourselves and our lives to everyone around us. And guess what? They will always look like they’re lightyears ahead. Our minds play tricks on us and we forget that we often only see the good parts – not the lowest lows. 

And don’t even get me started on the toll these beliefs inflict on our bodies. Talk about fight-or-flight... 

Our nervous systems are exhausted. But when it’s been ingrained in us through family, media, and work that we have to go, go, go... it makes slowing down that much harder. It doesn’t feel safe for the nervous system to relax, even though that’s exactly what it needs to thrive. 

And a regulated nervous system is honestly the key to a healthy, resilient life. 

The Cost of Ignoring Rest 

The cost is higher than you might think. Here are just a few ways that ignoring rest affects your body and mind: 

• Brain fog 

• Irritability 

• Increased stress and anxiety 

• Tension, especially in the neck, shoulders, and jaw 

• Fatigue 

• Trouble sleeping & focusing 

• Emotional reactivity (your emotions get the best of you over small inconveniences) 

• Lowered immunity (hello, being sick all the time) 

• Hormonal imbalances 

Any of these are too much if you ask me. But I’ve experienced every single one due to years of burnout. These symptoms can become chronic if we don’t address the root cause, which for me was lack of quality rest—not just physical, but also mental and emotional. 

How to Know You Need Rest (Body’s Cues) 

Our bodies are in constant communication with us. The caveat? We have to get to know the language of our body in order to better understand what’s happening. 

Here are some signals your body might be sending you: 

• Procrastination (hello, doomscrolling) 

• Irritability and overwhelm 

• Forgetfulness or mental fog 

• Heavy eyes and frequent yawning 

• Achy, tense muscles 

• Emotional eating  

• Emotional outbursts 

• Overthinking everything 

• Getting sick easily 

• Relying on caffeine or sugar to push through 

Sound familiar? These are your body’s built-in reminders that it needs rest and nervous system regulation. 

Moving Through the Guilt 

Okay, so now you know you need rest. But how do you do it without the guilt? 

First, let’s talk about what true rest really means. 

Most people think of physical rest as simply not moving around. But sometimes rest can actually look like moving more if that’s what your body needs (think stretching, yoga, or dance for stress relief). 

There are also other forms of rest we often overlook: 

• Mental rest – mindless activities, meditation, or simply doing nothing. 

• Emotional rest – letting yourself cry, journal, or take space from people. 

• Spiritual rest – reconnecting with nature, prayer, or practices that give life meaning. 

When we expand our definition of rest, it stops feeling like “doing nothing” and starts to feel nourishing. 

Now, let’s address the guilt. 

1. Redefine productivity. Try adopting the belief: Rest is part of productivity, not separate from it. Rest restores the body and mind so you can show up better. 

1. Reframe guilt. Guilt isn’t proof that you’re lazy—it’s proof you’re breaking old patterns. 

1. Micro-practices. Start small with 5–10 minutes of rest: breathwork, stretching, journaling, or just sitting outside. These short practices help regulate the nervous system. 

1. Mantras. Repeat affirmations like: Rest is productive. Rest restores me. I deserve to feel good. 

1. Trust. Trust that everything won’t collapse if you pause. In fact, things usually go better. 

Learning to Listen to Your Body 

Listening to your body’s signals is like learning a new language. Here are a few ways to start: 

• Check in a few times a day: ask “What do I need right now?” 

• Keep a rest journal to track when guilt shows up and how you feel after resting. 

• Celebrate progress whenever you rest without guilt (even if it feels hard). 

Rest doesn’t make you weak. It builds resilience. It’s how your nervous system recovers from stress and how you avoid burnout long-term. 

For something that sounds so simple, rest is one of the hardest things to do—especially in our fast-paced culture. I’ve learned this the hard way, by pushing myself too far too many times. And yes, sometimes I still struggle with rest. 

But here’s what I know: rest isn’t weakness. It’s strength. It’s what allows me to go further in the long run. 

You’re still worthy no matter how much you produce. Even the most energetic people need to recharge. Rest is one of the most radical acts of self-love. 

If you’re craving rest in a bigger way, I invite you to scroll through our upcoming workshops and events in Danvers, MA and the North Shore, MA area. We’re always adding new ways to experience rest and stress relief—whether it’s meditation, breathwork, stretching, or deeper nervous system support.