It’s okay to rest when you need to.

We often create this ideal schedule in our minds, it’s one where we’re on top of everything, all the time.. Our careers are thriving, our family calendars are perfectly managed, and our health routines are locked in. But more often than not, life shifts. That perfectly imagined picture? It goes out the window.

Some days we tick everything off and other days, one task takes longer than planned and suddenly it’s 9pm and we’re wondering where the day went.

Mental health plays a big role in how we approach our physical health, too. When we’re not feeling our best emotionally, we might not feel motivated to exercise and that’s okay. We’re human. We all need rest days to reset, physically and mentally.

Here’s what I do on my mental health reset days:

1. I rest — without guilt. I try to remind myself that rest is a need, not a reward.
2. I find my other joy. Sure, exercise gives us a dopamine boost, but resting allows our muscles and minds to recover. My peaceful joy is reading.
3. I sometimes plan my next workout. Rest days are a great time to reflect. Maybe your routine isn’t working anymore, or it’s started to feel like a chore. That’s your sign to pause, reevaluate, and switch things up.
4. I reach out to my support network. Whether it’s for advice or just a coffee, time with others can lift you out of a slump. A good laugh or a shared moment might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.

Remember, rest is not falling behind. Rest is how we keep going.

Give yourself permission to pause. You’re not lazy, you’re just listening to your body and sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is simply be gentle with yourself.