Taking Action for Your Mental Health: The Power of Rest

Prioritizing rest is one of the most impactful ways to support your mental well-being. Rest helps prevent burnout, boost resilience, and maintain overall health. Here are three key areas where intentional rest can make a real difference:

Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is essential for mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall health. When we treat rest as a priority, everything else becomes easier.

• Stick to a regular bedtime. Consistency helps your body know when it’s time to wind down.
• Keep your bed a restful space. If you can’t fall asleep after 15 minutes, try something calming, or get up until you feel ready to rest.

Watch for Burnout

Burnout often builds slowly, and we’re already running on empty by the time we notice. Slowing down is essential to healing and regaining energy.

• Small breaks can be a big help. Pause for a minute of deep breathing or take two minutes to stretch between meetings.
• Limit screen time and take breaks from draining news or social media.

For Employers: Support PTO Use

Time off isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential for long-term well-being. When leaders take rest seriously, teams feel empowered to do the same.

• Model healthy time-off habits by truly unplugging when away from work.
• Use this tool from Mental Health America to remind employees that taking PTO is necessary for their well-being.