First published 11 July 2025

We’ve just released Episode 62 of ‘Therapists in Conversation’ – ‘Take a Break (No Kit Kat Required)’ – and I’m still pondering our discussion about self-care and the art of taking time out.

It reminded me just how many of us may have forgotten that rest isn’t a luxury; it’s essential maintenance for our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Here’s what struck me most during our conversation: taking time off shouldn’t require justification, yet so many of us feel we need to earn it or prove we deserve it.

We live in a culture that glorifies the grind.

Where being busy is a badge of honour, and rest is something we ‘earn’ rather than something we inherently deserve.

But, what if I reminded you that taking a break isn’t just nice to have – it’s absolutely essential for your wellbeing?
 

Why can it be a Struggle to Take Time Off?

I wonder if this resonates for you – perhaps you’re someone who finds it difficult to step away from your day job, worried that everything will fall apart without you there (this may feel even more daunting if you are self-employed).

Or maybe you’re on the other end of the spectrum, where the thought of doing ‘nothing’ feels uncomfortable, even anxiety-provoking.

Both are completely valid responses, and both are your nervous system trying to keep you safe in its own way.

What Your Body Already Knows

But here’s the thing: your body and mind are constantly giving you signals about what they need.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we understand that our energy (or qi) flows through specific pathways called meridians.

When we’re constantly ‘on’, constantly giving, constantly doing, we create blockages in this natural flow.

The kidney meridian, which governs our reserves and resilience, can become depleted.

Our heart chakra, the centre of our emotional wellbeing, can become overwhelmed from giving without receiving.

Our bodies hold ancient wisdom about when they need rest.

The challenge isn’t that this wisdom doesn’t exist – it’s that we’ve learned to override it, to push through, to keep going regardless of what our internal compass is telling us.  Does this sound familiar?  It happens in far too many aspects of life!

The Real Barriers to Rest

Taking a break isn’t selfish – it’s how we restore balance and encourage our energy to flow freely again.

Sometimes we need to examine what’s really behind this reluctance to step away.

Is it the belief that we’re the only person who can do what we do?

Is it a fear that we’re not valuable unless we’re constantly productive?

Or perhaps it’s deeper – a pattern learned early in life that rest equals laziness? 

Whatever it is, we can work to shift the beliefs that are holding us stuck in this pattern.

It bears repeating – your body holds the wisdom to know when it needs rest, and your energy system is always seeking balance – we just need to listen and trust what it’s telling us and stop overriding or ignoring it.

The Act of Doing “Nothing”

So here’s my challenge to you: book some time off.

It doesn’t need to be a fortnight in the Highlands (though that sounds lovely, especially with this current heatwave).

It could be:

• An afternoon where you genuinely do nothing ‘productive’ (I have a tutorial for making mini books if you are interested!)
• A day where you follow your energy rather than your schedule
• An hour where you sit in silence without trying to ‘achieve’ anything
• A weekend where you don’t check emails or think about work – can you allow yourself to switch off the notifications?

Give yourself permission to simply be.
 

When Rest Feels Impossible

If the thought of taking time off feels too overwhelming, or if you’re stuck in the belief that you can’t possibly step away, let’s explore what’s holding you back.

Sometimes we need support to release those patterns that keep us tethered to the idea that we’re indispensable.

Ready to give yourself permission to take a proper break?

I’m here to help you untangle whatever’s keeping you from the rest you deserve.

Book a session (details below) and let’s work together to help you put yourself first, because you absolutely deserve that.

Your wellbeing matters.

Your rest matters.

You matter.

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If you’re curious about our full conversation on self-care and taking time out, you can catch Episode 62 of ‘Therapists in Conversation’ now. We dive deeper into why rest is so revolutionary.