Latest news with #rest
Forbes
26-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The 3 Types Of Rest Every Founder Needs
The 3 types of rest every founder needs Succeeding in business requires an endless list of skills. Sales, resilience, resourcefulness. Planning, listening, speaking, and building a personal brand. But there's one that most founders overlook: rest. The art of resting is one that entrepreneurs often think is beneath them. They overwork, hustle hard, and see rest as something the weaker business owners do. They are wrong. Being "on" all the time is costing your potential. Believing rest is a waste of time is where you're going wrong. But rest is not the same. There are three different types. Deploy the right form of rest at the right stage of business to feel happy, healthy, and never lose momentum or mojo. The data backs this up. 72% of entrepreneurs face mental health challenges, often tied to relentless pressure and lack of rest. Studies show that scheduled downtime and breaks lead to more innovative ideas and better solutions. Micro-breaks, even as short as a few minutes, significantly boost vigor and reduce fatigue, though longer breaks have a greater positive impact on performance. Here's how and when to rest as an ambitious founder who suspects they are onto something. Just starting out, just starting up, or running a business based around you? Rest matters. In the early stages, you have to take action. Getting in the habit of doing the work, shipping it, getting fast feedback and meeting as many people as possible takes more energy than you might have ready. At this stage, rest is to recharge. To fill your tank and go again. Recognise when your stores are low, catch yourself yawning, know when you've overstretched, and plan to chill out for a defined period of time. When the battery is back at 100%, get out there. Physical rest matters too. Sleep becomes non-negotiable when you're building something from scratch. Your body and brain need recovery time to process everything you're learning and experiencing. Eight hours of quality sleep gives you the mental sharpness to spot opportunities others miss. Skip it and you'll make expensive mistakes that could have been avoided with a clear head. CEOs and business leaders at a more advanced stage of business need a different type of rest. This isn't about recharging to go again: you've graduated from that. Resting to reflect means creating mental space to process complexity, see patterns, and make strategic decisions that move your business forward. At this level, you're juggling multiple priorities, managing teams, and fielding constant requests for your attention. Your days fill with meetings, decisions, and putting out fires. But the biggest challenges require quiet thinking time that never seems to happen naturally. This stage demands you rest to reflect. Step away from the day-to-day and create mental space for clarity. Your brain needs processing time to connect dots, see patterns, and find solutions that aren't obvious when you're close to the chaos. Book thinking time like you'd book any important meeting. Protect it fiercely. Take walks without podcasts. Sit in silence with a notepad. Let your mind wander between problems and possibilities. The breakthrough insights come when you stop forcing them. Your subconscious works magic when you give it room to breathe. You've built something substantial. Revenue is flowing, your team is growing, and systems are firing. But somewhere along the way, you lost touch with why you started. The fire that got you here feels dimmed by spreadsheets and stakeholder calls. Finding flow becomes your priority. Reconnecting with your source. Trusting your original intention. Listening to your inner voice again. This level of rest goes deeper than recharging or reflecting. You're seeking renewal of purpose. Create space for what lights you up. Return to activities that made you feel alive before business consumed everything. Paint, write, build something with your hands. Spend time in nature. Have conversations that matter. The goal is remembering who you are beneath the founder identity. Your business will benefit when you reconnect with your authentic self. Decisions become clearer. Innovation flows naturally. Leadership feels less forced. You stop performing entrepreneurship and start embodying it again. Each stage of your business journey demands different forms of rest. Early stage founders need energy restoration. Growth stage leaders need clarity and perspective. Established entrepreneurs need purpose renewal. Your next breakthrough might be one good rest away. Pay attention to which type of rest you need right now, and match your resting strategy to your current challenges. Stop treating all rest the same. Strategic rest becomes your competitive advantage.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Is Everyone So Mad That Black Women Are Choosing Rest?
A regular Black woman in jeans and a T-shirt. She looks like your aunty, your cousin, your mom, or maybe she looks like you. She is just standing there. At rest. Hands on her hips, doing nothing, minding her own business. And people are mad at that. The recently erected giant sculpture in New York's Times Square by London-based sculptor Thomas J Price has elicited a number of reactions. Some racist reactions, of course, some sexist, some body shamers, and some Black folks themselves who feel like the depiction is 'stereotypical'. But my takeaway from all this is that one of the most triggering things for people is seeing a Black woman at rest. A post shared via Instagram In early April, thousands of Americans joined the #HandsOff protest across the United States, demanding 'change'. I watched some of the coverage on the news and you know what? I didn't see Black women marching with signs, I didn't see them at the front of the protest line where they usually would be. I went online and saw Black women at brunch, dancing, talking about books and makeup, encouraging each other to not protest, but to stay home and rest. A post shared via Instagram After an overwhelming 92% of Black women backed the Democrats in the 2024 U.S. election, many of our Black American sisters have decided to focus on themselves and their communities, and let the chips fall where they may. Things are a shambles in the U.S. My social feeds are full of angry people across the globe, cussing Trump about job cuts, funding cuts, tariffs, bullying Canada, Greenland, Panama, Mexico and, if we're honest, the world. Black women did not cause these problems but yet again, the world wants us to fix them. People are yelling, 'Where is Kamala?!? Why isn't she saying anything?' A post shared via Instagram Former Vice President Kamala Harris is now a private citizen because the American electorate didn't vote for her. She is resting, as are the 92 percent of Black women who voted for her. 'Why isn't she saying anything?!? Where is Michelle Obama?!' Michelle Obama is quiet and resting, too. So why are Black women are turning inward, focusing on themselves, their families, and building their communities? Because when it was necessary, when it was crucial to the benefit of Black people—and by extension, all people—the majority turned their collective back. At least that's what I've heard as a Canadian watching from the sidelines. But what are the Black women living and working in the U.S. saying? Sasha Whitney is a first-generation Nigerian American based in Washington, DC. She is a fitness instructor and content creator who discusses social issues, particularly those affecting Black women. She uses her platform to reflect and share her perspectives on topics such as rest, community building, and the American socio-political climate. I found Sasha on my TikTok feed when I was looking up the April 5 protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk across the U.S. I DM'd her and she agreed to speak with me. When I asked her why Black women are taking this time to rest, she referenced Malcolm X: 'The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.' Black women are frustrated. "It's just so in your face that this country hates Black women so that they would rather choose the opposite, someone who would be a detriment to the vast majority of people, than to elect a Black woman. It makes you realize that so many people are comfortable being on the receiving end of the efforts, the gains of Black women—Black women's work, labour, time, energy, everything—but to be led by a Black woman?" said Sasha. "I have done my part. I did what I was supposed to do. I've showed up, I've marched, I've organized, I have reached out, I've done my research, I've done everything that I can do. And so many Black women continue to do everything they can do, but our voices are just not respected. People would rather our labour than our voice." African American women knew what would happen if 2024 Democratic nominee Harris wasn't elected. They protested, rallied, and voted for the first Black and Asian vice president (but not the first Black woman to run for president). Now, just three months into the current Trump administration, everything Harris predicted has come to pass. When Sasha reflected on the 2024 election results, she realized things had to change. 'What am I doing this for? It caused me to refocus and reflect my time, my energy, and how I can better use it. There's this idea that Black women are resting. We're staying... I don't want to say silent, but we're resting, minding our business and staying hydrated.' So, she stopped protesting and decided to use her energy differently. That was her version of rest — but it looks different for everyone. For some, it's showing up to protest when they feel like it. For others, it's not showing up at all. For Sasha, it's commenting on her social platforms about what is happening in the country. After the April 6 protests, she posted a video about a first-time protester, who is also a white woman, complaining about the lack of entertainment at the protest for her child. At first, Sasha thought it was rage bait, but after checking the woman's profile, she realized it was a serious complaint. 'She's rating a protest, giving it a Yelp review,' Sasha recounted. 'It's so extremely tone deaf and exudes white privilege and the assumption of comfort as a right. It's not about you. It's about the larger message. A cause bigger than yourself, a cause that possibly could help your child someday, you're still thinking about you and your comfort.' African Americans have never had the privilege to demand comfort when protesting. During the American Civil Rights Movement and the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Black children who protested couldn't expect safety or comfort. They were attacked with fire hoses by police, attacked by dogs, beaten and brutalized, arrested, and sexually assaulted by police. 'It's Black children, not just in America, but globally, in their struggles and in their fight for freedom. There is no comfort. There is no bouncy house. They're out there legitimately fighting for their lives, their life, their freedoms. [This is] an example of what it is when we say we live in two separate worlds. We're fighting for two separate things." Recently, I saw my friend Nneka at a mutual friend's baby shower. It was a pleasant surprise because she had been living and working in the States. We started talking about the situation down south and she agreed to speak with me on the record — if I didn't use her real name. She's a Canadian citizen and is worried that U.S. border officials may not allow her back into the U.S. if she comments negatively about the Trump administration. "I travel back and forth from Canada to the United States often and never have had any issues, but I am hearing a number of stories... I'm feeling it. I'm a little afraid and so is my family," she explained. So, what does a Black Canadian living in New York City have to say about Black women sitting this out? Nneka looks at it like Sasha does: 'This is not a fight for Black women. I am taking a seat and letting those who may have a more direct impact on the way that this has occurred take the lead on this." Black women are the conscience of the United States. They are the canaries in the coal mine — but that also comes with a warning. 'Many forget that canaries often showed signs of distress or died before anyone took heed of the warnings. While Black women try to illuminate critical issues affecting our world, we often risk our own well-being in the process,' stated an article posted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. There is anxiety about the future, but Sasha believes Black Americans will be OK. 'I'm always of the mindset that you control what you can control, and you leave the rest. So, what do I control? My energy,' she explained. 'The beautiful part is that Black people are going to survive. Black people are the most prepared for this — and Black women are especially prepared because we've been through this before.'
CNN
23-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
Reevaluating rest: Train smarter by recovering better
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dana Santas, known as the 'Mobility Maker,' is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and mind-body coach in professional sports, and is the author of the book 'Practical Solutions for Back Pain Relief.' With fitness culture too often celebrating extreme training and a 'no days off' mentality, rest is routinely misunderstood or overlooked entirely. If you're constantly sore, stiff or stuck at a plateau, it might be because you're not resting enough. Much of the progress you make from training actually happens during rest. Recovery is when your body repairs tissues, replenishes energy stores and rebalances nervous system activity. Skipping that crucial process doesn't make you tougher — it makes you more likely to burn out, get injured or stop seeing results. In my work with top professional athletes, I've spent the past two decades creating training and recovery programs, and one thing always holds true: The effort you put into recovery directly correlates with the effectiveness of your training. Proper rest drives progress. That lesson isn't just for elite performers — it applies to anyone who wants to reap the health and wellness benefits of regular exercise. Rest isn't just the absence of activity; it's a crucial physiological process that facilitates muscle repair, nervous system recovery, immune function and hormonal balance. Engaging in high-intensity or resistance training causes microtears in muscle fibers and places a demand on the systems of your body. With adequate recovery, your body responds to that stress by making positive adaptations, leading to strength gains, and an enhanced capacity to handle future physical demands. Neglecting sufficient recovery time can result in the accumulation of stressors, which hinders the body's ability to rebuild and adapt. This cumulative stress can manifest as fatigue, persistent soreness, diminished performance, mood disturbances, disrupted sleep and a greater risk of overuse injury. Even one single night of sleep deprivation in healthy young adults elevates cortisol levels and reduces muscle protein synthesis, inhibiting tissue repair and delaying muscle growth, according to a study published in the journal Physiological Reports. Prolonged elevation of cortisol and other stress hormones can also suppress immune function, increase systemic inflammation and heighten vulnerability to illness. Without consistent recovery, your body lacks the opportunity to adapt, rebuild and thrive under the demands of training. Skipping rest doesn't just stall progress — it can actively reverse progress and even cause damage. Just like your body, your mind requires rest to function at its best. Mental fatigue, like physical fatigue, builds up under stress. Without recovery, your brain struggles to regulate emotions, focus attention and motivate consistent effort, all of which impact your workouts and daily life. Prioritizing recovery from training sessions and ensuring proper sleep habits helps balance your nervous system, reduce stress hormones and restore emotional balance. Research shows that adequate sleep supports your mind-body connection by promoting cognitive function and emotional regulation that reinforce neural pathways involved in movement and learning. That's why any good mind-body fitness program includes mental check-ins during training and emphasizes recovery. Intentional rest can boost mental motivation, increase performance and leave you feeling more mindfully grounded, supporting both your fitness goals and your overall well-being. Not all rest looks the same. The right kind of rest depends on how you feel, what you've been doing, and what your body and mind need most. • Passive rest means complete time off from training, avoiding exertion and limiting screen time while putting an emphasis on ways to relax. Think: a long soak in the tub, taking an afternoon nap or simply lounging on the couch with a good book. If you're feeling worn down or sore, a full rest day can be exactly what your body needs. • Active recovery involves light, low-impact movement that encourages circulation without placing additional stress on the body. Activities like walking, gentle yoga, simple mobility drills and foam rolling fall into this category. • Restorative recovery targets your nervous system directly, using tools like diaphragmatic breathing, meditation or soft-tissue care, such as massage or assisted stretching, to shift you into a parasympathetic state. This type of recovery is especially valuable after intense training or during periods of high stress. Recovery doesn't have to be complicated. You should always integrate recovery into your workouts by cooling down, resting between sets and using your breathing to down-regulate your nervous system after high-output sessions. But also build recovery into your weekly fitness programming as you would any other type of training. Here's what a well-balanced week of fitness and recovery should look like: • 2 to 3 days of higher-intensity, strength or cardio training • 2 to 3 days of active recovery, focusing on walking or light movement • 1 day of restorative recovery, incorporating breathwork and bodywork • As needed, a passive rest day of total relaxation You might feel like you're doing everything right by training hard, eating well and staying active, but without rest and recovery, the math doesn't add up. Rest days aren't optional — they're essential. Training breaks your body down, and recovery builds it back up. When you prioritize both, you'll feel better, perform better and sustain your progress over time. Sign up for CNN's Fitness, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide will help you ease into a healthy routine, backed by experts.
CNN
23-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
Reevaluating rest: Train smarter by recovering better
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dana Santas, known as the 'Mobility Maker,' is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and mind-body coach in professional sports, and is the author of the book 'Practical Solutions for Back Pain Relief.' With fitness culture too often celebrating extreme training and a 'no days off' mentality, rest is routinely misunderstood or overlooked entirely. If you're constantly sore, stiff or stuck at a plateau, it might be because you're not resting enough. Much of the progress you make from training actually happens during rest. Recovery is when your body repairs tissues, replenishes energy stores and rebalances nervous system activity. Skipping that crucial process doesn't make you tougher — it makes you more likely to burn out, get injured or stop seeing results. In my work with top professional athletes, I've spent the past two decades creating training and recovery programs, and one thing always holds true: The effort you put into recovery directly correlates with the effectiveness of your training. Proper rest drives progress. That lesson isn't just for elite performers — it applies to anyone who wants to reap the health and wellness benefits of regular exercise. Rest isn't just the absence of activity; it's a crucial physiological process that facilitates muscle repair, nervous system recovery, immune function and hormonal balance. Engaging in high-intensity or resistance training causes microtears in muscle fibers and places a demand on the systems of your body. With adequate recovery, your body responds to that stress by making positive adaptations, leading to strength gains, and an enhanced capacity to handle future physical demands. Neglecting sufficient recovery time can result in the accumulation of stressors, which hinders the body's ability to rebuild and adapt. This cumulative stress can manifest as fatigue, persistent soreness, diminished performance, mood disturbances, disrupted sleep and a greater risk of overuse injury. Even one single night of sleep deprivation in healthy young adults elevates cortisol levels and reduces muscle protein synthesis, inhibiting tissue repair and delaying muscle growth, according to a study published in the journal Physiological Reports. Prolonged elevation of cortisol and other stress hormones can also suppress immune function, increase systemic inflammation and heighten vulnerability to illness. Without consistent recovery, your body lacks the opportunity to adapt, rebuild and thrive under the demands of training. Skipping rest doesn't just stall progress — it can actively reverse progress and even cause damage. Just like your body, your mind requires rest to function at its best. Mental fatigue, like physical fatigue, builds up under stress. Without recovery, your brain struggles to regulate emotions, focus attention and motivate consistent effort, all of which impact your workouts and daily life. Prioritizing recovery from training sessions and ensuring proper sleep habits helps balance your nervous system, reduce stress hormones and restore emotional balance. Research shows that adequate sleep supports your mind-body connection by promoting cognitive function and emotional regulation that reinforce neural pathways involved in movement and learning. That's why any good mind-body fitness program includes mental check-ins during training and emphasizes recovery. Intentional rest can boost mental motivation, increase performance and leave you feeling more mindfully grounded, supporting both your fitness goals and your overall well-being. Not all rest looks the same. The right kind of rest depends on how you feel, what you've been doing, and what your body and mind need most. • Passive rest means complete time off from training, avoiding exertion and limiting screen time while putting an emphasis on ways to relax. Think: a long soak in the tub, taking an afternoon nap or simply lounging on the couch with a good book. If you're feeling worn down or sore, a full rest day can be exactly what your body needs. • Active recovery involves light, low-impact movement that encourages circulation without placing additional stress on the body. Activities like walking, gentle yoga, simple mobility drills and foam rolling fall into this category. • Restorative recovery targets your nervous system directly, using tools like diaphragmatic breathing, meditation or soft-tissue care, such as massage or assisted stretching, to shift you into a parasympathetic state. This type of recovery is especially valuable after intense training or during periods of high stress. Recovery doesn't have to be complicated. You should always integrate recovery into your workouts by cooling down, resting between sets and using your breathing to down-regulate your nervous system after high-output sessions. But also build recovery into your weekly fitness programming as you would any other type of training. Here's what a well-balanced week of fitness and recovery should look like: • 2 to 3 days of higher-intensity, strength or cardio training • 2 to 3 days of active recovery, focusing on walking or light movement • 1 day of restorative recovery, incorporating breathwork and bodywork • As needed, a passive rest day of total relaxation You might feel like you're doing everything right by training hard, eating well and staying active, but without rest and recovery, the math doesn't add up. Rest days aren't optional — they're essential. Training breaks your body down, and recovery builds it back up. When you prioritize both, you'll feel better, perform better and sustain your progress over time. Sign up for CNN's Fitness, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide will help you ease into a healthy routine, backed by experts.
Washington Post
20-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Rough night ahead? Try sleep banking to stay alert.
In an ideal world, every night would offer a chance to recharge with long, restful slumber. But life happens, and things like working long or odd hours, taking care of a baby or a sick person or dealing with jet lag can stand in the way of a good night's sleep.
