How to Balance Hustle Culture with Rest and Recovery

How many times have you told yourself, I’ll rest when I’m finished. Then you find yourself with an endless to do list leaving you feeling stuck, uninspired, and on the verge of burnout?  What if I told you that rest and recovery isn’t the reward for successful completion. Rest is actually THE key to successful completion.

In today’s episode we are uncovering why rest and recovery are just as important as hustle. AND how embracing stillness can accelerate your path to success. Stay tuned!

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to Small Daily Habits, the podcast that helps high achieving women create sustainable routines to reclaim their energy, improve their mood, and help them lose weight one small step at a time. I’m Christine, your host, personal trainer, and menopause specialist. I’ll be your guide to building a life you love, one small habit at a time. If you love this episode please follow, share, and write a review.

Today, we’re diving into a subject that might feel counterintuitive to everything you know about being successful. In a world that glorifies hustle culture it’s easy to feel guilty about slowing down, especially during a busy time of year like the holidays. However, I invite you to challenge that thought and replace it with the belief that rest is productive. And it’s time to reframe how we think about it.

Why is Rest and Recovery Essential?

Let’s start with why rest matters. Science tells us that when we rest our bodies as well as our brains they perform at their best. Whether it’s taking short breaks throughout the day, getting enough quality sleep each night, or dedicating time to recovery, rest helps you think more clearly, make better decisions, and avoid burnout. Think of it this way, would you drive a car on empty and expect it to get you to your destination? Of course not. So why do we treat our bodies and minds this way?”

However, I do get it. It’s not always easy to prioritize rest when your daily to-do list feels endless. So, here’s a small mindset shift to explore. Instead of seeing rest as unproductive or wasted time, try to view it as fuel for your next big thing. Rest is what makes high productivity possible. To all my hustlers out there, it’s OK to hustle. Just remember to balance it with a large dose of rest.

Recognizing When You Need Rest and Recovery

So how do you recognize when it’s time to take a step back? First off, you need to tune into your body and listen to what it is telling you. If you are not paying attention, you are going to miss the signs right in front of you. You either are too busy to notice, OR you completely ignore the signs.

Mood swings, inability to focus, or feeling unusually tired are all tell-tale signs you are pushing yourself past your limits. Those symptoms are your body’s warning signals trying to tell you danger is up ahead. Pro tip: don’t wait until this point to prioritize rest. Begin to proactively build recovery time into your daily, weekly, and monthly schedule.

A Personal Example:

A year ago, I was deep in my usual routine—managing my business, taking care of my family, and trying to squeeze in workouts and self-care wherever I could. I was always on the go, pushing myself to stay ahead of everything. But then life threw me a curveball—and then a couple more.

First, I developed a frozen shoulder that doctors said was a torn rotator cuff.  Turns out it was a delayed response to a slip and fall from the year before and perimenopause related.  Good times! Initially, I had to adjust how I approached certain tasks but after physical therapy and stretching I was on the mend. However, I had to take a step back and re-evaluate how I went about my day to day to accommodate this injury, which felt so frustrating at the time.

This was all happening as I got the news that we were moving from NH to FL. Then, just as I healed my shoulder fully, I fractured my foot while preparing for the big move. Only the diagnosis was a sprain so I didn’t rest as much as I should have in the beginning. 

A Mindset Shift

At first, I tried to power through both injuries. But it quickly became clear that I wasn’t going to heal unless I gave myself permission to slow down and delegate. I focused on smaller, gentler habits—stretching for my shoulder, elevating my foot when I needed to, and letting go of the pressure to do it all. Because I took that time, my frozen shoulder is completely healed, and our move to Florida was a success, even if it wasn’t as fast-paced as I’d originally planned. I’m still working on my foot, but I’ve learned what is working for me and what isn’t.  

Looking back, I realize these setbacks were a blessing in disguise. I was on the verge of burnout, and they taught me that rest and recovery aren’t signs of weakness—they’re what make the hustle sustainable and kept me from over working myself. Whether you’re dealing with an injury, stress, or just a busy season, it’s okay to give yourself permission to slow down. Sometimes, that’s the most productive thing you can do for yourself.

Practical Ways to Prioritize Rest and Recovery

At this point, you may be thinking what are some practical ways you can make rest a regular part of your lives without feelings of guilty or being unproductive. Here are three small daily habits to start with:

1. Schedule your rest like a meeting. Block off time in your calendar for it and treat it as non-negotiable. Remember to think about small rest periods each day, a block of time each week for a few hours to do something you love, and a whole day each month to just be.
2. Set a reminder each evening to alert you when it’s time to wind down for the evening so you get better sleep.
3. Practice active recovery—like a gentle walk when your mind needs a break, stretching when your body needs rest from your workouts, or even meditation if you are feeling emotionally drained. It’s rest with intention.

Additionally, try to remember that rest isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s a full day off, a power nap, or even just 10 minutes of peace, find what works for you, make a plan to implement regular recovery, and stick to it.

This Week’s Challenge

Success isn’t just about pushing harder all the time. Sometimes, it’s about learning when to pause. Rest gives you the energy and clarity to keep moving forward. So, this week, I challenge you to prioritize rest and see how it transforms your mood, your energy, AND your end results.

Upcoming

Time’s up on this episode. As always thank you so much for tuning in. If you found today’s conversation helpful, please share it with a friend who might need a gentle reminder to slow down this holiday season or just in general. Don’t forget to follow, share and leave a review—it helps more women find us and join our community.

Join me same time, same place next week as I discuss hormones and how they are affected in times of high stress. If you are heading toward perimenopause, already there, or just trying to survive the stress of the holidays, next week’s episode is for you. Hope I see you there.

Until then this is your weekly reminder that, BIG changes, begin with Small Daily Habits!

Til next time…..

Missed last week’s episode all about giving the gift of wellness this year? Listen here or read the show note here.

Christine