The Power of Rest: Making Time to Recharge Your Battery

Yesterday morning, my husband and I walked outside to find that our truck wouldn’t start — the battery was completely dead.

It wasn’t a dramatic moment, just an inconvenient one. As we waited for the tow truck, I couldn’t help but think about how easily it could’ve been avoided. A little maintenance, a quick check, or even noticing the warning signs would have saved us the cost, time, and stress of having to cancel plans and rearrange our day.

It struck me how much that moment mirrors life. We often treat our own mind, body, and spirit the same way — pushing through exhaustion, ignoring the signs, and assuming we can keep running without stopping to recharge. Eventually, we hit a point where we’re completely depleted and forced to stop.

Just like a car battery, our internal battery needs maintenance. Regular care and short moments of rest can prevent major breakdowns later. And it doesn’t have to be complicated — even a few intentional pauses throughout the day can restore energy, focus, and calm.

The Pressure to Keep Going

We live in a world that glorifies hustle. Productivity is often mistaken for worth, and “busy” becomes a badge of honor. But constant motion has a cost — emotionally, mentally, and physically.

When we push through exhaustion, our bodies release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, that can impact sleep, mood, digestion, and immune function.
And emotionally? We start to feel drained, reactive, and disconnected — like a battery running on fumes.

If the idea of slowing down makes you anxious or guilty, it’s often a sign that you need it most.

The Power of Rest for Mind, Body, and Spirit

Rest is more than sleep. It’s the intentional act of giving your entire self — mind, body, and spirit — a chance to reset and recharge.

Mind: Mental rest means quieting the noise — stepping away from screens, multitasking, and constant problem-solving. Even 5 minutes of mindful breathing or stillness can lower stress hormones and refocus your thoughts.

Body: Physical rest allows your body to repair and strengthen. This could mean a nap, a gentle stretch, or simply pausing to eat slowly and breathe deeply.

Spirit: Spiritual rest is about connection — prayer, meditation, reflection, or time in nature. It’s what brings peace and meaning to your busy days.

Not all rest looks like doing nothing. Sometimes it’s active rest — the things that fill your cup quietly and steadily: a short walk, reading, journaling, or sharing a meal without distractions.

Ask yourself: Does this restore me — or just distract me?

Making Room for Rest (Even When You’re Busy)

If rest sounds wonderful but completely unrealistic, you’re not alone. Most of us have full plates — work, family, commitments, and never-ending to-do lists. But the truth is, you can find rest in small, intentional moments.

Here are a few ways to weave it in:

• Mini breaks: Take 2–3 minutes between tasks to stretch, breathe, or sip a cup of tea.

• Morning or evening quiet: If you have children, even 10 minutes before the house wakes or after it settles can become sacred time for yourself — not to get more done, but to pause, breathe, and refill your cup.

• Mindful transitions: Everyday moments like driving, folding laundry, or walking between rooms can become opportunities to reset your thoughts — take a deep breath, release tension, and bring yourself back to the present instead of rushing to the next thing.

• My favorite reset: A 10–15 minute power nap — even if it’s just reclining the seat in your car and closing your eyes in a parking lot. It’s amazing how restorative even that short pause can be. It honors your body and acknowledges how you’re feeling in the moment, rather than pushing through exhaustion until you “have time” to rest. That time rarely appears on its own — it often has to be created.

• Unplug: Schedule 15 minutes of “no screen” time each day — give your mind a break from constant input.

• Weekend reset: Protect a small window of time for something that recharges you — a walk, journaling, or just being still.

Rest doesn’t mean quitting. It means creating space to refuel so you can keep showing up strong.

How Rest Moves You Forward

We tend to think progress means doing more. But real growth often happens in the quiet — in the moments when we stop striving long enough to breathe, reflect, and reset.

Rest restores clarity and creativity. It strengthens resilience. It allows you to approach your goals from a place of peace rather than pressure.

Try this simple 3-step reflection:

1. Reflect: What kind of rest do I need most right now — physical, emotional, or spiritual?

2. Release: What can I let go of this season?

3. Restore: Choose one daily act of rest and protect it like any other appointment.

When you honor your limits, you expand your capacity. Rest doesn’t slow your progress — it sustains it.

Examples of “Release” — What Can I Let Go Of This Season?

• Unrealistic expectations: Let go of the need to do it all or do it perfectly. Progress matters more than perfection.

• Overcommitment: It’s okay to say no to invitations, projects, or responsibilities that stretch you too thin.

• Guilt for resting: Release the belief that rest must be earned. It’s part of health, not a reward.

• Negative self-talk: Trade “I should be doing more” for “I’m allowed to slow down.”

• Comparison: Let go of measuring your progress against someone else’s pace.

• Emotional clutter: Release resentment, worry, or old narratives that weigh you down.

• Digital overload: Step back from constant scrolling, news, or notifications that keep your mind restless.

  Reflection Prompt:
  “What is one thing — physical, emotional, or mental — that’s draining your energy right now?
  What would it feel like to set it down, even temporarily, so you have room to rest and renew?”

  Rest Now, Thrive Later

  The holidays are just around the corner — a season that often brings both joy and extra demands. By investing in rest now, you’re strengthening your immune system, stabilizing your mood, and preparing your body to handle the busier weeks ahead with more ease and less stress.

  Think of rest as your pre-holiday wellness plan — a way to enter the season calm, centered, and ready to truly enjoy it.

  A Gentle Reminder

  Just as fall invites the trees to let go of what they no longer need, you’re invited to do the same.

  Let go of the guilt. The pace. The pressure.
  Make room for stillness.

  Rest is not wasted time — it’s where renewal begins.

  Take one intentional pause this week. Step outside. Breathe in the cool air. Let yourself just be.

  Your mind will thank you.
  Your body will thank you.
  Your future self will, too.

  Whether it’s your car battery or your own well-being, a little care goes a long way.
  Rest is your maintenance plan — your built-in safeguard against burnout.
  The earlier you notice the signs, the easier it is to recharge.