Rest lowers stress and sparks ideas, psychologist says, stop feeling guilty
Rest reduces cortisol stress levels and allows space for creative ideas, yet many measure self-worth by productivity alone.
Many of us feel guilty when we're not working because Western culture ties self-worth to productivity. Psychologist Dr Tim Sharp says that's backwards.
Rest lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, and creates headspace for new ideas to form. Real idleness doesn't mean doom-scrolling, that stimulates the brain too much.
Sharp prefers bushwalking. Others find it in napping, hobbies or time with family, especially with no particular goal in mind.
Start small: leave the office at 6pm instead of 7pm, or limit screen time after work to half an hour instead of two. After a week or a month, notice whether you sleep better, have more energy, or feel happier.
Rest makes productivity possible, not the reverse.
- Cortisol
- Stress hormone lowered
- Bushwalking
- Alternative to doom-scrolling
- Leave office one hour earlier
- First action
- The Happiness Institute, Sydney
- Institution
Why it mattersGives permission to rest without guilt, improving wellbeing and actually boosting long-term performance.
AustraliaApplies to all Australians juggling work and family, helping them understand rest as essential rather than laziness.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
