How do we rest? So that we can actually feel it?

 In a world that seems to run on constant deadlines, endless notifications, and the pressure to always be “on,” free time can feel like a rare gift. Yet, many of us find ourselves filling those precious hours with more busyness — scrolling endlessly on our phones, squeezing in extra work, or running errands that never seem to end. The result? We step back into our routines without having truly rested. So how do we make use of our free time in a way that actually recharges us?

The first step is redefining what rest means. Rest doesn’t always have to mean lying on the couch doing nothing (though sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed). True rest is about activities that restore your energy, whether that’s physical, mental, or emotional. For some, that might mean a quiet walk in nature; for others, it might be cooking a slow meal, journaling, or simply having an afternoon nap without guilt.

It’s also about being intentional. Free time is easy to lose when we default to habits like mindless scrolling or binge-watching. While those activities offer distraction, they don’t always provide the deep recharge our bodies and minds crave. Setting aside even half an hour to unplug, breathe, and engage in something calming — meditation, reading, or stretching — can make a noticeable difference in how rested you feel afterward.

Another way to rest properly is to build balance into your downtime. Not all rest looks the same: there’s passive rest (like sleeping or lounging) and active rest (like doing yoga, painting, or gardening). Mixing both can leave you feeling more refreshed than choosing only one. Think of it as feeding different parts of yourself: the body, the mind, and the spirit.

Equally important is protecting your free time. Boundaries are key — saying no to unnecessary obligations, not checking work emails after hours, and allowing yourself to take time guilt-free. Too often, rest is seen as laziness, when in reality, it’s the foundation that makes productivity, creativity, and happiness sustainable.

At the end of the day, proper rest isn’t about how much time you have, but how you choose to use it. When you treat free time as something valuable — a chance to restore rather than just escape — it transforms from empty hours into nourishment. And in a world that constantly asks for more, learning to rest well might just be the most radical and rewarding choice you can make.