If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or stretched too thin, you are not alone. Many people I talk with feel like they are constantly juggling responsibilities and trying to keep up. Before long, the feeling of being “on” all the time starts to wear them down. We need to prevent burnout. We take supplements like vitamin C and zinc to prevent sickness. This is the same concept.
One of the biggest reasons people end up drained is that they do not make time to rest, rejuvenate, or recharge. They often think rest is something they will get to later, once everything calms down. But the truth is that life rarely slows itself down. We have to create space for ourselves on purpose.
Dr. Lucas D. Shallua says, “Rest is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” and I completely agree. These three practices can help you regain your energy and joy in the work you do.
1. Rest
Give yourself permission
Rest goes beyond getting enough sleep. It is any moment where you intentionally step away from the constant demands around you. A lot of people tell me rest feels selfish or unproductive, but the opposite is true. You are more effective when you are not running on empty.
Rest often needs to be planned, because it is easy to fill every spare moment with “just one more thing.” Putting rest on your calendar is a simple way to protect a little space for yourself. It can be something as small as 15 minutes of quiet or stretching. What matters is that you give yourself a little breathing room.
2. Rejuvenate
Do something that brings you joy
Rejuvenation is anything that brings you a spark of joy, comfort, or inspiration. It can be creative, quiet, playful, or peaceful. You do not need a whole weekend away or a spa day to rejuvenate. Sometimes the most meaningful moments take very little time or money.
You might read a novel, create art, listen to music you love, go for a walk in nature, or spend time with someone who fills your cup. What matters is that it fills you.
I learned this the hard way when I was a stay-at-home mom with four young children. I was so tired from taking care of everyone else. One day, the idea came to me to take one hour of time to myself each week. My husband and I worked it out so I could step away and do something I enjoyed. It changed everything for me. I felt lighter and had more patience and joy in taking care of my family.
Rejuvenation works. It just needs a small commitment and a little space to exist.
3. Recharge
Step away so you can come back with energy
Recharging is a simple but powerful habit. It helps you reset throughout the day instead of pushing through until you crash.
When I started working in my business full time, I sometimes worked from morning until late afternoon without stopping. I would be worn out, dragging, and unable to think clearly. Then I remembered something important. When I worked for someone else, I always took a lunch break. I would leave the building, get some fresh air, eat, and reset my mind.
So I started regularly taking a real lunch break to prevent burnout. I put it on my calendar, and I actually left my workspace. The difference in my energy was huge. I was more productive, more focused, and I did not hit that mid-afternoon slump anymore. A simple lunch break changed the outcome of my entire day.
Recharging helps you stay steady instead of running yourself into the ground.
Why These 3 R’s Matter
When you practice Rest, Rejuvenate, and Recharge, you think more clearly, are more productive, respond with patience, and you have energy to give to the people and responsibilities you care about.
You do not have to change everything at once. Just start with one small step.
Your Next Step to Prevent Burnout
Choose one of the R’s and practice it this week.
Put it on your calendar. Protect it. Let yourself experience the difference.
Your energy and your joy are worth taking care of.