Is Our "Rest Era" Just as Damaging as Hustle Culture?

Is your body bored? You might be surprised at what it needs!

I was so glad—SO GLAD—when hustle culture got called out for the devastating effects it had on our health.

All work, no play. No wonder so many people faced existential crises, not to mention numerous health complications.

Of course, there were other factors at play, such as the damaging messaging being portrayed by diet culture at the time. Combine that with hustle culture, and you have a perfect storm—one that wrecks both mental and physical health.

I experienced it firsthand. The relentless "work" without rest forced me into an unwilling shutdown. My body demanded rest. Unfortunately, it came in the form of illness and injury.

The truth is, if you don’t rest, your body will eventually force you to.

Fortunately, someone eventually declared that hustle culture wasn’t what we thought it was. Messages started spreading the truth that:

• Hustle doesn’t equal better productivity.

• Hustling more doesn’t guarantee better results or success.

• Hustle doesn’t define your worth.

Many of us said goodbye to hustle culture and embraced rest, a much-needed shift after years of overwork.

But more than a needed reprieve, it proved one fundamental law of life - the law of balance (Newton’s Third Law). The law of balance states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the context of moving out of hustle culture, the natural response would be in the exact opposite direction, which is why we now exist in our “rest era.”

As with any pendulum swing, there’s a danger in going too far.

Rest isn’t bad—it’s necessary. But so is work.

In our rush to embrace rest, we risk vilifying work. Yet true health isn’t found in one or the other; it’s in the balance of both.

We need to rest, but we also need to work.

The balance between work and rest is what helps our body perform at its best.

Ultimately, your body is designed to work. It thrives in work and needs to work. This work, combined with periods of rest, helps maintain a state of equilibrium between your mental and physical energy.

Everyone has both mental energy and physical energy. They are different and distinct yet interconnected. The relationship between the two isn’t always what we assume:

• Mental exhaustion is often recharged by physical movement.

• Physical movement can stimulate mental clarity and calm.

Fatigue and exhaustion don’t always mean you need to stop or even “rest” in the ways we distinguish rest. Sometimes, it means you need to move. True health comes from understanding when to rest and when to work—embracing both to create a harmonious flow that energizes your life.

When you’re low on energy, your best medicine might just be movement, not less.

This week on the podcast, I share more about this topic! Learn how to tell if your body is bored and what to do about it here!

Is your body bored?

There’s no denying that health needs vary from person to person (like finding the right diet for you). But amidst the differences, some foundational truths apply to everyone—needs that every human body shares.

One of those foundational needs is movement!

Now, before you roll your eyes, hear me out. I didn’t say what form of movement because not all movement is created equal. But one universal truth remains: you need to move.

Movement is essential for every cellular function, hormone response, repair process, and even your ability to sleep. It’s not a question of whether you should move, but whether you’re moving enough.

This doesn’t mean pushing harder or doing intense workouts. It simply means asking yourself: Are you getting your steps in?

Research suggests that humans need a minimum of 8,000 steps daily (some studies say 10,000). The exact number isn’t the point—the real question is whether you're moving enough for your health.

Movement isn’t just about physical fitness. It helps create harmony between your mental and physical energy, mobilizing both to support your well-being.

If you’re falling short, you’re not alone.

But this summer, let’s change that. Let’s build a new normal. Let’s redefine movement—not as a way to change how you look but as a way to change how you feel.

Welcome to The Summer Walking Club!

This summer, I want to help you:

• Build a routine that makes movement second nature.

• Meet your foundational health needs.

• Create a health framework that lasts.

Learn more and register for the *club* here!

And here’s a little extra motivation: If you register next week, you’ll be entered to win my favorite step tracker, a Garmin Vivoactive 6!

Let’s step into a healthier summer together.