There is a simple, almost banal truth that we too often forget: rest is important. Not important in the superficial sense we sometimes give it, like a concession to ourselves when we just can’t take it anymore, but truly important. Like the food we eat or the air we breathe, rest is an essential part of our lives.

Yet, how often do we neglect it?

How many times do we tell ourselves that we can make a little extra effort, finish that work, respond to that email, complete an endless list of things that seem urgent and cannot be postponed?

It’s strange, but it seems that in the society we live in, rest has lost its value.

Resting is often seen as a luxury, a selfish act, or even a waste of time. It’s a mentality that many of us adopt almost unconsciously, due to work, habits, the pressure to always be productive. But how misleading this belief is. We forget that rest is not wasted time, but time gained. It is the moment when we recalibrate our energies, when we give our mind and body the space to reorganize, recharge, and find the right balance.

Taking a break does not mean being lazy, it means taking care of oneself.

It is a gesture of respect towards our body and mind. Think about it: how many times, driven by haste or the need to finish something, have we produced a result that does not satisfy us, that does not truly reflect our potential? And how many times, instead, after a good night’s sleep or a day dedicated to relaxation, have we felt inspired, motivated, and ready to give our best? Rest allows us to see things more clearly, to face challenges with more strength and serenity.

This time of year, with Christmas approaching, offers us a precious opportunity. It is the perfect time to slow down, to put aside daily urgencies and focus on what really matters. Family, friends, the people we love. Being together with them, sharing simple and authentic moments, reminds us that we are not machines programmed to work nonstop. We are human beings, made of emotions, connections, deep needs that we cannot ignore.

So let’s take advantage of these days. Let’s take the time to breathe, to enjoy a cup of hot tea, a good book, a walk without a destination. Let’s rest without feeling guilty, because there is nothing wrong with stopping. On the contrary, it is one of the most beautiful gifts we can give ourselves. A day dedicated to rest, to doing nothing in particular, can be immensely more productive than one spent chasing results that will not truly satisfy us.

When we rest, we give our mind space to relax and regenerate. It’s a bit like pausing a song we’ve been listening to for the thousandth time: it allows us to rediscover the pleasure of listening to it with new ears, to catch the nuances that we had previously missed. The same thing happens with life. Stopping does not mean stopping forever, but just long enough to return to living with more energy, more awareness, more joy.

So, if in these days you feel the temptation to do a thousand things, to make yourself useful at every moment, try to stop for a moment. Think about how important it is to take care of yourself. Give yourself time to rest, to enjoy the little things, to be truly present with the people you love.

The world will not fall apart if you take a break.