"The holiday season is often painted as an idyllic vision of rest, conjuring images of warm beverages and bountiful time with loved ones. But many people have trouble unwinding at this time of year. Why do the December holidays offer the promise of respite but never seem to deliver? And is more restorative rest possible during this busy season? I am a psychologist who studies how rest supports learning, creativity and well-being."
"When holiday stresses begin to snowball, rest periods replenish depleted psychological resources, reduce stress and promote well-being. But reaping the full benefits of rest and leisure requires more than a slow morning or a mug of hot cocoa. It's also about intentionally scheduling active recovery periods that energize us and leave us feeling restored. That's because good rest needs to be anticipated, planned and refined."
Holiday time often promises rest but frequently fails to deliver because many people cannot unwind amid disrupted routines, financial pressures, travel and challenging family dynamics. Humans need restorative downtime while awake in addition to sleep; active rest can include physical activity, social connection and creative engagement rather than passive scrolling. Purposeful scheduling of active recovery periods replenishes depleted psychological resources, reduces stress and prolongs positive states. Effective rest requires anticipation, planning and refinement to energize people and leave them feeling restored during busy holiday periods.
Read at theconversation.com
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