It can be easy to fill every available minute with school, activities, practices, studying, social plans, and responsibilities. And when anxiety is part of the picture, slowing down can feel especially difficult. There is always something else that could be accomplished, prepared for, or improved.

Resting can begin to feel foreign or unproductive. But, here’s the thing:

Rest and reset time isn’t wasted time. It’s part of maintaining your ability to function well.

Just like your body, your brain and nervous system need time to recover and repair. Your brain is constantly taking in information, solving problems, making decisions, managing emotions, and responding to stress. Without enough opportunities to pause, that constant demand can leave you feeling mentally and physically depleted.

Regular breaks can help you:

• Recharge mentally and physically so you have more energy for the things that matter.
• Improve focus and concentration by giving your brain a chance to step away from sustained
  effort.
• Manage stress and anxiety by interrupting the cycle of constantly being “on.”
• Regulate your emotions so small frustrations don’t feel quite so overwhelming.
• Protect your sleep and overall well-being by creating space to slow down before the day
  ends.
• Prevent burnout by allowing recovery to happen before you reach the point of exhaustion.

Resetting doesn’t require a big production or time commitment. It might be 10 quiet minutes after school or work, a meal without multitasking, a walk, listening to music, spending unstructured time with close friends, or simply having a period of the day where nothing is expected of you.

The goal isn’t to do less just for the sake of doing less.

It’s to make sure your schedule has enough space to recover from the things you’re asking your brain and body to do. If you rarely have time to pause, or you notice your body is starting to signal that you’re overwhelmed, it may be time to ask: “Do I need to push harder, or do I need to pause?”

Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is give yourself permission to reset.

A note for parents: If your teen rarely seems to slow down — or seems to need constant achievement to feel okay — that pattern can sometimes point to something bigger than a busy schedule. Read more in When Achievement Hides the Problem: Recognizing Clinically Significant Anxiety in High Achieving Kids and Teens.

At Bellaire Family Counseling, we work with children, teens, and families in person in the Bellaire, Meyerland, West University, Westbury, River Oaks, Memorial, Piney Point and greater Houston area. Telehealth services are available anywhere in the state of Texas. If you or your teen are struggling to slow down and rest, we would love to talk with you about how we might be able to help. You can reach us via phone or email at 713.300.8951 or info@bellairefamilycounseling.com. Or click here to schedule a consultation at a time that is convenient for you.