Sometimes I have a hard time remembering the last time I didn’t have to schedule a moment of peace. I’m fortunate to love what I do, I enjoy my friends and family, and I have an active social life. But let’s face it – all of that requires work in some way.
It’s strange to say that I can feel burnout even when I love what I’m doing, but it’s true. And I know it’s not just me; I see so many women who don’t set aside time to just be: be bored, be quiet, and be still.
These days, it seems like even our downtime has a to-do list.
While many studies focus on the burnout women feel at work, it’s compounded by the problem that women are typically chronic multitaskers who rarely get a cognitive break.
According to Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, neuroscientist and sleep expert at Wesper, “This places these women at high risk for chronic stress, which not only impacts their psychological well-being but can also have measurable effects on brain function and overall health. Physiologically, this stress activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (fight or flight system). Chronic activation can lead to long-term health consequences.”
Why Rest Feels Like a Four-Letter Word
Many of us were raised in the heyday of hustle. We internalized the belief that rest is something you earn, not something you need. If you grew up watching Claire Huxtable hold down a law career while raising five kids in heels, it’s no wonder your brain equates “doing nothing” with “falling behind.”
Add in the cultural myth that productivity = value, and suddenly sitting still feels like failing.
But here’s the thing: Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement. And no, not the kind where you scroll Zillow listings in bed while telling yourself you’re “unwinding.”
Real rest replenishes your creativity, stabilizes your mood, and gives your overworked nervous system a break from fight-or-flight mode. And if you’re managing your finances, your career, your home, and your future solo? You especially need that reboot. Think of rest as compound interest for your brain: the earlier and more consistently you invest, the better your returns.
So, how do you actually take a break when your brain is used to having 47 tabs open at once?
- Schedule white space like a meeting. If it’s not on the calendar, it won’t happen. Block out time that isn’t for errands, workouts, or “catching up.” It’s for nothing. And yes, staring at the ceiling counts.
- Unfollow the Productivity Police. If your social feed is full of #bossbabe energy that makes you feel lazy for exhaling, curate accordingly. STOP GLORIFYING BURNOUT!
- Define your version of rest. It might be nature. Silence. Dancing in the kitchen. A bath with no audiobook. The goal isn’t what it looks like, it’s how it makes you feel.
- Tell your guilt to back off. That voice in your head saying you should be doing more? You don’t owe your worth to output.
- Practice doing nothing. Seriously. Start small. Set a timer for five minutes. Sit down. Don’t grab your phone. Don’t tidy. Don’t meal plan in your head. Just… be. It’s awkward at first, like jeans after a year of leggings. But it gets easier.
So, the next time guilt starts whispering that you haven’t “earned” a break, remind yourself: you’re not a machine. You’re a woman who’s carried the weight of her own life (and sometimes others’) with grit and grace. That deserves real rest.
And let’s talk about your financial future, so we can build in room for peace, play, and permission to pause. You don’t need a crisis to justify taking care of yourself.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Aspen Wealth Management, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC and LPL Financial are not affiliated with any other referenced individuals or entities.
