Rest as Resistance: Why Your Body Needs Real Rest Before the Holidays

We live in a world that celebrates exhaustion. Somewhere along the way, being busy became a badge of honor. The proof that we’re productive, successful, and worthy. But as the year draws to a close, our bodies tell a different story. Fatigue, irritability, sleepless nights, tension that won’t quite let go, all signs that the nervous system is quietly pleading for something most of us have forgotten how to give it: rest.

As the holidays approach, and with them the swirl of expectations, travel, and social obligations, the most radical act of self-care might not be doing more, but slowing down.

The Age of Overstimulation

From endless emails to late-night scrolling, most of us rarely allow our minds or bodies a moment of true stillness. This constant stimulation keeps our sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” mode, perpetually active. Over time, that heightened state floods the body with cortisol and adrenaline, hormones that were designed for short bursts of danger, not daily living.

Research from the Harvard Medical School shows that chronic stress can interfere with nearly every system in the body, suppressing immunity, disturbing digestion, and disrupting sleep. The result is a cycle of fatigue that no amount of coffee can fix.

True rest, on the other hand, invites the opposite response: the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest and digest” state. This is the body’s repair mode, where heart rate slows, muscles relax, digestion improves, and healing begins.

Rest as a Radical Act

The phrase “rest as resistance” was popularized by Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, who describes rest as a form of reclamation in a culture obsessed with productivity. “Rest,” she writes, “is not a privilege. Rest is a right.”

When we rest intentionally — without guilt or multitasking — we challenge a deeply ingrained cultural belief that our worth depends on our output. Choosing stillness becomes an act of defiance, a declaration that we are human beings, not machines.

And this isn’t just a philosophical idea. Studies in Frontiers in Psychology show that people who prioritize rest and mindfulness experience lower rates of anxiety and depression and higher levels of creativity and emotional regulation.

The Body-Mind Connection

When we think about rest, we often think about sleep. But the body craves more than hours in bed, it craves release.

Massage and bodywork play a powerful role here. Through gentle pressure, rhythmic motion, and mindful touch, the body’s tension melts away, signaling safety to the brain. This physical calm activates the vagus nerve, which in turn lowers heart rate, eases stress hormones, and promotes emotional balance.

It’s why a good massage leaves you feeling lighter, not just in your muscles but in your mind. It’s the embodiment of rest, not passive, but deeply active, a dialogue between the body and the nervous system that says: you are safe now.

How to Rest Intentionally

Here are simple, sensory-based ways to invite real rest into your life before the holidays arrive: 1. Create boundaries with technology. Set a “digital sunset”, turn off screens an hour before bed. Let your nervous system unwind from the constant glow of notifications. 2. Prioritize quiet rituals. A warm bath, a few minutes of gentle stretching, or simply sitting with a cup of tea in silence can reset the body more than you think. 3. Schedule true downtime. Rest doesn’t have to be spontaneous. Protect it like an appointment, one that’s as essential as any meeting on your calendar. 4. Reconnect with your body. Gentle touch, like a foot massage or reflexology session, reminds your body what it feels like to be cared for. The feet, especially, are powerful grounding points, stimulating circulation and releasing built-up tension. 5. Practice mindful breathing. Try inhaling for a count of four, holding for four, and exhaling for six. This simple rhythm can activate your parasympathetic system within seconds.

Resting Into the New Year

The holiday season often asks us to give — our time, energy, attention, and love. But we can only give sustainably from a place of fullness. Rest is not indulgent; it’s foundational.

As you move through the next few weeks, notice the moments when your body asks for stillness. Listen. Step outside for a breath of fresh air. Take that nap. Let your shoulders drop.

And if you need a reminder of what deep rest feels like, let us hold space for you at BAO Foot Spa, a place designed for slowing down, for returning to your body, for remembering what balance feels like.

Because when you rest, you don’t fall behind — you rise restored.

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References • Harvard Health Publishing. Understanding the stress response. Harvard Medical School. • Hersey, T. (2022). Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto. Little, Brown Spark. • Frontiers in Psychology (2020). The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Rest, and Emotional Regulation.