The Power of Rest and Play: A Lesson from Childhood

Do you often marvel at the energy of a person who seems to be a real go-getter with an innate ability to juggle multiple demanding life roles and a busy social life with ease? Whatever comes their way, they just seem to get it done amidst an ever-growing list of responsibilities.

If that reminds you of someone you know, I’m about to blow their cover. (If that someone is you, my apologies.)

The truth is, they are either hiding the fact that they are running on fumes and exhausted, or they are fortunate enough to have put into practice a life lesson that most of us don’t realize the true importance of. Often, it’s a little of both.

The valuable life lesson is one we can actually learn from a child.

The Wisdom of Rest and Play

Children know the importance of rest and play. They take breaks when they’re tired and indulge in activities purely for enjoyment. Studies show the balance of rest and play is vital for:

✔️ Maintaining energy
✔️ Increasing creativity and productivity
✔️ Renewing focus
✔️ Lowering stress

I find it interesting that as adults, we need validation from research and studies to convince us of something we knew naturally as children. So before another day of hurriedly drinking our morning coffee while scrolling through emails, it would serve us well to take a step back and relearn.

A Wake-Up Call from My Daughter

I, too, have been guilty of forgetting to slow down and had the good fortune of re-learning from my daughter, who at the time was 11 years old. It seemed to come “out of nowhere” when she one day suggested that I take the day off, eat cereal in bed, and watch cartoons!

I was a bit surprised and admittedly amused, but it truly was a wake-up call that encouraged me to think outside the box (no pun intended). And, although I have yet to actually “eat cereal in bed and watch cartoons,” it is among some of the soundest advice I’ve ever received.

It has stayed with me all these years, and I use it as a reminder to step back and chill.

As adults, we often get caught up in worries about the past or future or the “urgent” tasks at hand. I didn’t even realize the routine of perpetual motion I was in—but she did.

Our kids are watching us. They are natural masters of self-care, and as adults, we can learn a lot by observing their natural ability to prioritize well-being.

Would You Accept an Invitation to Rest?

What about you? If you were to reach into your mailbox and pull out an “invitation to rest,” would you accept, or would you simply toss it aside thinking, “I don’t have time for this”?

Taking a break is not a sign of weakness—it’s a strength. It allows us to pause and be present. This mindfulness can extend to other aspects of life, helping us to make more conscious choices about how we spend our time.

Sometimes, it’s just necessary to “check out” mentally in order to regroup. Our bodies and minds have limits. Ignoring those limits can lead to burnout and stress. A break is like a reset button, giving us the energy and clarity to tackle our tasks with renewed vigor.

Scheduling Rest: A New Habit

For me, the concept of taking breaks throughout the day isn’t new, but intentionally scheduling those breaks is.

I recently learned the importance of being intentional about scheduled break time (10-15 minutes) from one of my mentors. In the past, if I had a blank space, I would fill it with a task—not downtime.

I’m more of a “go with the flow” kind of person, so schedules in general are hard for me to get used to. But I’ve found outlining my day, either the night before or in the morning, is extremely helpful—and now that I schedule breaks, it’s even better.

Ideas for Break Time

Life isn’t just about checking off tasks on a to-do list, so take a look at the list below and see what you might schedule into your day.

For a Quick Recharge:

✔️ Get up and move
✔️ Drink water and have some brain food like nuts, blueberries, avocado, or dark chocolate
✔️ Practice mindful breathing
✔️ Stretch—do what you know you can do! Try lunges, hamstring stretches, or rolling your neck gently from side to side
✔️ Rest your eyes, especially if you stare at screens all day

For When You Want to Channel Your Inner Child:

🎉 Build a pillow fort
🎉 Roll down a grassy hill – I once did this with a group of children while chaperoning a 5th-grade field trip. I was not invited back to chaperone, but we had fun! 🙂
🎉 Get lost in a fun puzzle
🎉 Run through the sprinkler
🎉 Watch cartoons and eat cereal in bed

Final Thought

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget the importance of rest and play. But taking intentional breaks isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

So, the next time you’re rushing through your to-do list, take a cue from your younger self and pause. Whether it’s a short walk, a good stretch, or even a bowl of cereal in bed—find moments to recharge.

Your body, mind, and productivity will thank you for it. 💙

Meet the Author:  I'm JoAnn Begley, a Certified Nutrition, Health & Lifestyle Coach. As a former Family Caregiver and professional Caregiver Consultant, I know how difficult it is to take the first step towards self care and how important it is to do so! My practice combines 25 years of holistic therapies with a simple lifestyle program rooted in the science of Body, Mind and Lifestyle 1% at a time.