Wisdom Wednesday #14 - Rest Up

Rest, a way to recharge and decompress after an action-packed day. Many of us—especially those who are teenaged—lack this vital life component. After overworking ourselves to the point of exhaustion, we tend to push on or distract ourselves with devices when what our body truly needs is some shut-eye.

Hello and welcome back to another edition of Wisdom Wednesday. It has nearly a month since I have written, and I am very thankful for my partner Anthony for writing in place of me. With the amount of activities I involve myself in and the crazy amount of school work I have put up with, I’ve needed to prioritize rest, which is why I thought it was fitting to talk about how such trade-off can help your mental and physical health.

People often mistake rest for laziness, which can be a damaging misconception. Rest is not about avoiding responsibilities or being unproductive—it is about giving your body the opportunity to reset, recover, and perform at its maximum capability. Neglecting the chance to recoup ultimately leads to burnout, decreased productivity, and worsened health. All of this could have been avoided with a concept many have associated with indolence.

Just as athletes and gym-goers need recovery days to relax and strengthen their muscles, we all need to recharge to maintain the best version of ourselves. Though it’s not about just sleeping more—which is still very critical—rest can take many forms. I love spending time in nature, sitting down reading articles and books, watching my favorite hockey team play, or listening to music. These are all low effort and calming activities which help me feel refreshed without necessarily sleeping in.

I remember over the past summer I was so insistent on studying for several hours a day while doing assignments, practicing bowling, working, and do work for extracurriculars. Though this level of dedication is great, I neglected to factor in something important: RESTING UP! Summer was supposed to be the time to relax, but I did not want to. I eventually burnt out and was unable to do anything for up to three weeks just because I overexerted myself. I started waking up late, and when I had work, I was tired and unmotivated to continue. Lessons have been learned, and I now value rest much more.

The real challenge is trying to break the vicious cycle of glorifying busyness. As teenagers, we of course have aspirations and expectations to make it to top universities. We feel pressured to give it our all and meet unfair expectations—whether it be in school, extracurriculars, or even ourselves. Truthfully, consistently overloading yourself without taking breaks is not sustainable. Resting doesn’t mean you’re falling behind; it means you’re preparing to move forward more effectively.

So, anytime you’re overwhelmed, pause and self-evaluate: “What does my body need right now?” Maybe it’s sleep, maybe it’s a quick walk outside, or maybe it’s a tech-free hour to clear your mind. By listening to your needs and treating rest as a necessity rather than a luxury, you’ll not only feel better but perform better in all aspects of life.

Take care of yourself this week and remember: rest is a power move, not a sign of weakness. Stay strong and rest up.

- Jaime Paladi, Public Relations
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