Can I Make Rest More Productive

Jun 25, 2025

If you've ever joked about “making rest productive” while secretly wishing it were possible… you’re not alone. This week on Leading With Heart, Christina unpacks the very real struggle so many high-achieving women face when it comes to slowing down, and she shares why rest is not only essential, but strategic.

Why Rest Feels Hard

Resting can feel uncomfortable, even guilt-inducing, especially if you’ve been raised to value hard work, self-sacrifice, and constant productivity. Whether it's your military background, cultural upbringing, or just years of hustle, the idea of “doing nothing” can trigger shame or anxiety. But what if rest wasn’t the absence of productivity, but a different kind of productivity?

What Is Strategic Rest?

Christina introduces the concept of strategic rest, a form of rest tailored to meet your specific unmet needs. Rather than defaulting to passive rest (like zoning out on the couch), she challenges you to ask:
What kind of rest do I really need right now?

There are seven types of rest, physical, mental, emotional, sensory, social, spiritual, and creative, and each one supports a different part of your wellbeing. When you align your rest with your true need, the return on investment is powerful.

Consistency > Intensity

It’s not about waiting for a two-week vacation to finally unwind. Christina emphasizes that rest done consistently, even in small moments, has more impact than occasional intensity. Micro-rest moments (like a five-minute breathing break, closing your office door for lunch, or walking the halls) help regulate your nervous system, sharpen decision-making, and replenish your energy in real time.

Connect Rest to Your “Why”

If guilt still lingers, Christina encourages you to tie rest to your roles. Want to be a more present parent, a thoughtful leader, a grounded friend? Rest directly affects how you show up in each of those areas. It’s not selfish, it’s necessary.