The Body Needs To Rest

To illustrate the human body’s need for rest let’s compare it to a factory machine. After all, we could well consider it the most advanced machine on the planet. Consider a factory machine performing at 100% day after day. First of all, you will realise great productivity and all is well. However, before long the machinery begins to break down until one day there is a big crash and the machine is rendered unable to function. Exactly the same is true of our bodies: over work can lead to over training syndrome. This can manifest as a flu like feeling and can be so intense that it leaves you bed ridden, failure to heed this natural warning system can lead to longer and more serious physical consequences such as adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalance and depression.

However, whilst the machine analogy holds up with regard to over training syndrome, there is of course one important difference between the human body and a machine. Our bodily systems, particularly the muscular system, are what Nassim Nicholas Taleb would call ‘anti-fragile systems’ in that they actually improve as a response to stressors. Let’s look at weight lifting for example. Muscles grow in response to lifting a weight that is right at the limit of your strength capability in order to be able to make lighter work of the same task and allowing you to become stronger. There is a fine line though: push too hard for too long and you will break down plunging the strength gains made up until that point into jeopardy.

To help avoid this scenario and give your body the rest time it needs, seek for at least one full day of rest per week. It would also be a very good idea to schedule your training so that you do not perform more than two very hard training days consecutively. You also need to get at least 6 (preferably 8) hours sleep each night and make sure to consume enough calories to support your active lifestyle.

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On a more day to day level, it is important to take breaks during your work day to keep your body active. This will go a long way to avoiding lower back pain, an avoidable condition that plagues many that lead a sedentary lifestyle. Also, going to the gym for a big workout after a day of sitting down for 8 hours straight doesn’t make up for all that inactivity- unfortunately it just doesn’t work that way.


The Minds Need To Rest 

Just as the body needs to rest, so does the mind. Actually, it is now understood that the body and mind are very heavily linked. An overworked brain so to speak will soon lead to disharmony in the physical body. From a health perspective, taking time out from work and stressful situations is extremely important. Anxiety and stress cause a spike in cortisol, our body’s natural stress hormone. This means those that struggle with stress are in a perpetual state of fight or flight, which can be extremely damaging to their physical health. It is absolutely essential to take regular breaks from work and on going projects and engage in activities you enjoy to relieve stress. Of course the most effective way of doing this is to create your career around an activity that you are passionate about blurring the line between work and play.

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From a productivity point of view, regular breaks allow for your mind to be cleared and create ‘room’ for fresh inspiration and creativity. Meditation and mindfulness are excellent ways to quiet the mind, de-stress and establish a sense of poise that will allow you to move through life without stress whilst remaining open to the enjoyment of a fresh idea and perspective on your work and on life in general.

Blog originally posted on the Perkbox blog

If you’d like to find out more about how to reward your employees for their hard work and give them those breaks they need and deserve, please click here and watch our video on Perkbox

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