Rest Is a Performance Strategy

Across all industries, there’s mounting pressure to do more – more calls, more hours, more hustle. Some employers are now expecting 60+ hour workweeks. But research shows that working longer doesn’t always mean working better.

The World Health Organisation found that logging more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of stroke by 35% and heart disease by 17%. Burnout costs companies millions each year. And ironically, overwork often reduces the very performance business leaders are chasing.

Elite athletes like Simone Biles remind us that protecting the mind and body is essential to sustaining excellence. Albert Einstein turned to music to unlock fresh ideas. Both show that rest and renewal aren’t indulgences; they’re performance strategies.

Stoicism teaches us to focus on what we can control. Meanwhile, yoga reminds us to connect breath with presence. Together, they help me stay steady in a market that is anything but.

For those navigating demanding industries, I encourage everyone to take their pauses seriously. Whether it’s a walk in nature, time with loved ones, or simply being still, these moments don’t take away from your work. They give it longevity.