Strategic Leadership Advisory Services from Positive Leadership

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Positive Leadership: The Importance of Rest and Recovery

World-class competitors, from athletes to pianists, limit the arduous part of their practice routine to a maximum of about four hours each day. 

Rest is an equally important part of their training regimen, to restore their physical and mental energy. 

Without rest, our brains grow more depleted, often signified by distractedness, irritability, and fatigue. At work, all too often we try to “push through it,” even though there is no magical energy reserve waiting for us. 

To recharge, take a break; a short rest at midday reboots the brain for the rest of the day. If you can’t take a nap, try mindfulness meditation, which can serve as the mental equivalent of a weightlifting rep. 

Attention is a mental muscle—strengthen it with the right practice.