Rest to Reset by Suzy Reading
“Recharge in as little as 60 seconds!” reads the sticker on the front of this book.
Whether I believed this or not, I was willing to take the plunge. Fortunately for me, this turned out to be possible (to some extent) based on the exercises in Rest to Reset. More than quick fixes, though, this book introduces a new mindset about taking a break.
Productivity, perfectionism, and hustle culture often have many of us believing that we should always be working on the next thing. This inevitably leads to more caffeine, more work, and more busyness in general. No wonder burnout is such a problem right now. Constant stress can make us fatigued, cause mental fog, and reduce our ability to manage difficult situations.
Rest to Reset approaches the topic with compassion. I really appreciated the emphasis on rest as an essential means to stay healthy. The author also acknowledges negative emotions around taking breaks - like pointlessness, guilt, or annoyance - and gently suggests ways to give things a try while being kind to yourself along the way.
There is a wide range of practical tools to try out: short, 1-2 minute suggestions for how to recharge, followed by ideas for how to make these longer and more fulfilling if you have the time. These include things like breathing exercises, making time to connect with yourself, and reminding yourself to hydrate or physically connect with another person. These small acts, when done regularly, help to inject calmness and peace into an otherwise busy life. The point is to start with things that are quick and low-effort - and if they work, why not keep going?
So did I get a “60-second recharge”? Sort of… but more importantly, reading this book has helped me to be kinder to myself during times of stress. And that’s a pretty big win!
Melina
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