How to Rest and Play Just Because

identifying what nurtures you outside of work

Artwork by Catur Argi

Before We Dive In

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Today, I’m going to talk about rest and play as joyful activities in themselves instead of as ways to refill your tank so you can be more productive.

I’m always reflecting on the ways productivity culture circulates. Something that catches my eye every time I see it in an Instagram post or a news article or an advertisement is the suggestion that resting will make us more productive.

I myself have been complicit in circulating this idea; logically it does make sense: if you’re running on fumes and trying to check off your to-do list without ample personal resources (energy, focus, etc.), then yes, resting your body and mind might enable you to be more productive.

But I think rest is so much more than just a mechanism for getting back to work. Rest isn’t a pixelated piece of fruit in a video game that you scarf down to fill up your health bar so you can get back to adventuring. It’s more complex than that—or at least it should be.

When I think about rest I also think about play. I would be curious to hear what the action of “play” brings up for you. Does it sound childish (in a bad way? in a fun way?), like a distraction, or even a waste of time? Does it feel nourishing and joyful to think about being playful? I know it does for me.

To me, rest is intentional space away from outcome-driven energy expenditure where I can nourish my body and mind with soft stimuli. 

My current favorite rest activities are leisurely walks around the river with my spouse, sitting outside in the warm sunlight with my dog, and reading fantasy novels with a cup of tea and smooth jazz on the radio. When I choose to rest before I run out of energy, it is an act of deep self-love and self-respect.

To me, play is time for curiosity, pleasure, awe, presence, and doing low-stakes activities for the joy of the experience instead of the outcome. 

My current play activities include listening to intriguing podcasts while I cook dinner, learning new strength training exercises, and visiting the farmer’s market to see what yummy foods are in season.

Writing down what rest and play mean to me and listing my favorite rest and play activities felt amazing in my body: my heart feels full, my face feels soft and relaxed, and I feel grateful. I welcome you to reflect on your own experiences with rest and play OUTSIDE of your productivity by answering the following three questions.

• What do rest and play feel like for YOU?

• What goal would you like to set around your rest practices for the next two weeks?

• What goal would you like to set around your play practices for the next two weeks?

If you’d like some inspiration for your rest and play, here’s a picture of my dog, Friday, taking a nap in her huge fluffy bed. She’s an expert at playing fetch and then taking naps in the coziest places.

I’ll be back next week with another great post for you. Have a restful, playful, and joyful week,

Dr. Kate