Hello and welcome to the Traveling Introvert. Today, I'm going to talk about rest and the role it plays in helping you achieve your goals. As you work towards your goals, or your career or your business or whatever it is that you're doing these days- making the best sourdough ever, it is essential to remember the role that rest and recovery play in just your overall health, well-being, and success.

Your body and mind need time to recharge to perform at their best. Without adequate rest, you might feel tired and sluggish and unable to focus. In the long run, quite frankly, this leads to burnout and may hinder your ability to reach any goals you might have set. This is especially important if you're starting a new job because it tends to be the case where you start a new role, and they throw everything at you. They've got all these manuals that you need to look at and you've got all these PowerPoint presentations, and health and safety and paperwork, and meeting new people, and meeting new clients. And all of these things, all fire hosed at you. And you're also supposed to do your job. And never do companies put in their time for you to rest and recover. Because they assume when you go home that's what you do. Do you though?

So the role of rest and recovery, your body and mind need it. When working towards a goal, it is easy to become consumed by the drive to succeed. You may push yourself to the limit, sacrificing sleep and leisure time to pursue that singular objective.

However, this approach is not sustainable. Your body and mind need regular breaks to function correctly. Your body repairs itself during rest. One of the critical benefits of rest and recovery is that it allows your body to repair and rebuild itself. Engaging in physical activity puts stress on your muscles, bones and connective tissues.

For example, if you lift weights and exercise and ignore your body's needs, it might lead to muscle soreness, fatigue, and injuries. However, allowing your body time to rest ensures it will repair and rebuild itself, becoming stronger and more resilient in the process. Just like you're not supposed to exercise the same muscle every day, there's a reason for that. Also, rest and recovery will help increase your mental wellbeing. In addition to the physical benefits, rest and recovery are crucial for your mental wellbeing.

Constant stress, chronic stress and overwork can negatively affect your mental health, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, burnout. Taking regular breaks allows you to relax and recharge, improving your mood and helping maintain a positive outlook. Making rest and recovery a regular part of your routine is essential to reap the benefits of rest fully. Ensure that you set aside time in your calendar for rest and relaxation and prioritize it. You can make time for whatever you need, including meditation, exercises like yoga, or simply taking a break to read a book or even listen to music. You will be more mindful regarding your needs with rest.

Listening and being mindful of your mental and physical needs is vital. If you are tired or overwhelmed, take a break. It's almost always better to take a step back to recharge rather than pushing yourself through. The more you listen to yourself and are mindful of your mind and your body's needs, the better off overall you will be. There is no doubt that rest and recovery play a huge role in helping you achieve all your goals.

We just don't think about it that way. We think about all the work that we do and the meetings that we have and the ticks we put on our To-do list. But it's rest and recovery that are real pillars. When you let your body and mind recharge, your physical and mental wellbeing improves, therefore increasing your chance of success. Take the time to learn how important it is to allow your body and mind to break.

Make rest and recovery a regular part of your routine. Listen to your body's needs. When you do, you will ensure that you are always at your best and ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.

Thank you for listening. This is Janice at TheCareerIntrovert.com helping you build your brand and get hired. Have a great rest of your week.

Mentioned in this episode:

300th episode

My 300th episode is coming up soon and I would love to answer your questions. Send them to janice@thecareerintrovert.com