The ROI of Rest: Why Prioritising Your Wellbeing is the Smartest Career Move
By Paige Coulthurst, Operations Director at Soap Media.
When was the last time you truly prioritised your wellbeing?
If you’re an ambitious woman juggling career growth, personal commitments, and a never-ending to-do list, rest often falls to the bottom of your priorities. But here’s the truth: rest isn’t a luxury - it’s one of the smartest investments you can make.
We’re often sold the idea that success requires relentless hustle. Yet research shows that strategic rest improves cognitive function, leadership performance, and even earning potential. Women who prioritise their wellbeing don’t just avoid burnout - they perform better, make sharper decisions, and sustain long-term success.
The Hidden Costs of Burnout for Women
Women, especially female entrepreneurs and professionals, face unique pressures. Studies indicate that women are more likely than men to experience workplace burnout, particularly due to unpaid emotional labour, overworking to ‘prove’ themselves, and balancing career with caregiving responsibilities.
Burnout impairs decision-making. When exhaustion takes over, critical thinking and creativity decline.
Chronic stress impacts leadership. Leaders who prioritise rest are rated 60% higher in emotional intelligence and decision-making.
Long-term exhaustion affects income. Well-rested professionals earn more due to increased productivity and innovation.
If success is your goal, burnout isn’t a badge of honour - it’s a liability.
Why Rest is the Ultimate Career Hack
Prioritising wellbeing doesn’t mean working less - it means working smarter. Here’s why it’s a game-changer for ambitious women:
1. Rested Minds Make Better Decisions
Pushing through exhaustion may feel productive, but cognitive fatigue leads to poor judgement. Leaders who take regular breaks, sleep well, and set clear work-life boundaries make sharper, more strategic decisions.
Try this: Schedule ‘CEO Time’ - one to two hours per week dedicated to deep thinking, problem-solving, or high-level planning - without distractions.
2. Energy is Contagious
Ever noticed how a well-rested colleague uplifts a room? Your energy sets the tone for your team and clients. Prioritising your own wellbeing creates a ripple effect - stronger relationships, higher morale, and a more motivated network.
3. Sustainable Success Requires Recovery
Elite athletes don’t train 24/7 - they prioritise recovery as much as performance. The same applies to high-achieving women. Without adequate rest, your ability to sustain long-term success diminishes.
Try this: Apply the 80/20 rule to your workload. Identify the 20% of tasks that drive the most results and eliminate or delegate the rest.
The 7 Types of Rest High-Performing Women Need
To truly recharge, you need more than just sleep. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician and author, identifies seven types of rest essential for peak performance:
1. Physical Rest: Restore Your Energy
Prioritise quality sleep and bedtime routines.
Incorporate active rest like yoga, walking, or stretching.
Take regular breaks throughout your workday to avoid fatigue.
2. Mental Rest: Reduce Cognitive Overload
Set boundaries around constant decision-making.
Limit screen time and take short mental breaks.
Practice mindfulness or meditation to declutter your thoughts.
3. Sensory Rest: Reduce Overstimulation
Unplug from notifications and digital distractions.
Seek moments of silence and stillness.
Spend time in nature to reset your senses.
4. Creative Rest: Reignite Inspiration
Expose yourself to art, music, or nature.
Engage in creative hobbies without pressure to produce.
Allow your mind to wander and daydream.
5. Emotional Rest: Set Healthy Boundaries
Say no to commitments that drain your energy.
Cultivate relationships with people who lift you up.
Express your emotions openly - journaling or therapy can help.
6. Social Rest: Curate Your Circle
Spend time with people who energise you rather than deplete you.
Take breaks from high-maintenance relationships.
Prioritise authentic, meaningful connections.
7. Spiritual Rest: Find Purpose Beyond Work
Engage in reflection, meditation, or prayer.
Align your work with your core values.
Give back—mentorship or volunteering can create deeper fulfillment.
How to Protect Your Wellbeing Without Losing Momentum
So, how do you integrate rest without feeling like you’re falling behind? Here’s how high-achieving women make it work:
1. Time-Block for Rest & Recovery
Just as you schedule meetings, schedule non-negotiable downtime. This could be a weekly digital detox, an early morning walk, or a weekend free from work-related tasks.
The “No Meeting Fridays” movement is gaining traction among female entrepreneurs - use it for deep work or personal recharge.
2. Learn the Power of Saying No
Women are conditioned to be people-pleasers, often saying yes at the expense of their wellbeing. Successful women protect their energy by setting clear boundaries.
Try this: Instead of a flat ‘no,’ reframe: “I’d love to, but my schedule is full. Can we revisit in a few weeks?”
3. Leverage Support Systems
Strong networks create space for rest. Delegate, outsource, and automate to reduce mental load. Whether it’s hiring help in your business or leaning on family and friends, don’t carry the entire burden alone.
4. Redefine Productivity
Being busy isn’t the same as being productive. True productivity means working in alignment with your strengths and energy levels. Identify when you do your best work and structure your day accordingly.
Pro tip: Use the Ultradian Rhythm Method - work in 90-minute focused blocks, followed by 20-minute breaks.
Rest is a Power Move
The most successful women understand this: wellbeing fuels wealth, impact, and longevity. Prioritising rest isn’t about slowing down—it’s about setting yourself up for sustained, unstoppable success.
So, what’s one small shift you can make today to reclaim your energy and focus? Your future self will thank you for it.
