Rest time: the foundation of performance

A healthy and balanced time management plan must have sufficient time for results, preparation, growth and fun. Balance allows us to perform at our optimum level and extract the maximum joy from life. All these factors contribute, however, one very important factor is often overlooked – rest time. Rest time underpins everything that we do and allows us to perform at our optimum level when required.

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What is rest time?

People often think that they are resting when they take it a little easier and cut back on their work. This is not quality rest time though. High quality rest time requires a complete break from any work related tasks and a complete rest from anything which applies pressure to the mind or body. It may help to think of rest time in terms of weight training. During a weight training session a great deal of pressure is put on the body. The body suffers a small amount of damage to the muscle fibres which have been worked. Before pressure can be applied to these muscles again, sufficient rest time must be allowed for the muscle fibres to be repaired. If sufficient rest time is allowed, not only will the muscle fibres be repaired; new muscle fibres will grow to help cope with additional pressures. As the cycle is repeated, the muscles become stronger and stronger. When coping with life’s pressures, the body and mind behave in the same manner. Once a bout of pressure has been dealt with, sufficient rest time must be allowed to enable the body and mind to recover and grow. If this occurs, the body and mind will be able to take on bigger challenges in the future, allowing the person to advance. If insufficient rest time is allowed, the body and mind will eventually fail to cope with the pressure. Burnout and breakdown become inevitable. Sufficient rest time is essential for optimum performance but too much can be detrimental. The negative consequences of too much rest time include:

• Failure to produce results
• Lack of preparation
• Little or no growth
• Minimal fun and engagement from life

For more great time management tips, check out The Organised Mind. While it is action which brings about results; periods of inaction are necessary to allow the body and mind to recover from the pressures of life and work. Our bodies and minds are designed to cope with bouts of pressure but not prolonged periods of endless pressure. Sufficient and properly executed rest periods allow the body and mind to recover and grow. This in turn allows for consistent performance improvement and the achievement of bigger and better results.