Permission to Slow Down, Relax and Unwind Even When Things Speed Up

Fall has a way of pulling us into its whirlwind. The long, lingering days of summer give way to calendars packed with deadlines, school schedules, family events, and the unspoken pressure to keep up as life speeds up around us. Sometimes it feels like we have to force ourselves to relax and unwind, which causes more stress, rather than relieving it.

Slowing down feels like a luxury you can’t afford. Rest becomes the reward for checking everything off your list or something you earn after the work is done.

But here’s a new way of looking at it: rest isn’t the reward for finishing everything; it’s the foundation that makes everything in your life sustainable. It’s what fuels your energy, creativity, and clarity. Without it, you’re running on fumes.

Relax and Unwind the R.E.S.T. Way

This season, instead of waiting until you crash to slow down, try a new approach: let R.E.S.T. guide you into a rhythm of renewal, even in the middle of your busiest days.

R — Release the Unessential

High achievers are often wired to add more, to stretch, extend, and prove themselves. Yet, most of the time, sustainability comes from subtracting.

Look honestly at your calendar and commitments: What can be released? It might mean saying no to a meeting that doesn’t require your voice, letting go of an unrealistic expectation, or postponing something that doesn’t need to happen right now.

Releasing is not failure. It’s the act of creating space and awareness so your energy is directed where it matters most.

E — Exhale with Intention

When everything around you is moving fast, your body often mirrors that speed. Breathing becomes shallow, shoulders tighten, and your nervous system stays in a constant state of alert. That’s why one of the simplest ways to slow down is to notice and lengthen your exhale.

The exhale is powerful because it’s the part of the breath that signals your parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s natural recovery mode. Long, intentional exhalations tell your body, You’re safe. You can soften. You can release.

S — Savor Small Pauses

Rest doesn’t always come in large chunks of time. It can be woven into the fabric of your day in small, intentional pauses. How can you do this?

Create 15-minute buffers between commitments to avoid stacking your schedule back-to-back.

Step outside for five minutes to notice the season shifting around you.

Transition from work to evening with something that reminds you to slow down… a favorite tea, a few stretches, or lighting a candle.

When you savor these micro-moments, they stop feeling like interruptions and start becoming anchors. Pauses restore your attention and give your nervous system space to recalibrate.

T — Tune In

The final step is granting yourself permission: tune in to what your body and mind actually need, rather than what the world expects of you.

This might mean honoring the natural rhythm of fall by winding down earlier in the evenings. It might mean noticing the difference between being tired and being depleted, then choosing activities that genuinely restore you.

Tuning inward requires self-awareness. Ask yourself throughout the day: What one mindful choice could help me feel more supported right now?

When you tune inward, you reclaim your authority to decide how you spend your energy.

 “Dream Big, Start Small.” Here’s the one thing you can do today.

Try this Three-Breath Reset the next time you feel rushed or scattered. Sit back in your chair, plant your feet, and feel your body supported. Then take three mindful breaths:

Inhale slowly, exhale with a sigh, letting your shoulders drop.

Inhale again, exhale softly through the mouth, relaxing your jaw.

Inhale fully into your belly, exhale slowly, making more room inside yourself.

Notice the shift. Even a minute of conscious breathing signals to your body that it’s safe to slow down.

Exhaling with intention reminds you that slowing down doesn’t require a big effort. Sometimes it’s as close as your next breath.

Give Yourself Permission

Following R.E.S.T. doesn’t mean abandoning ambition or neglecting what matters. It means creating a sustainable rhythm that supports you in showing up at your best.

Taking time to relax and unwind does not show weakness; it shows strength. It’s wisdom. It’s what allows you to keep leading, creating, and contributing without burning out. If you’re feeling out of balance, perhaps it’s time to take my 7-Point Wellness Assessment and discover the areas that need more attention.

Reflective Journaling Prompts

 Where in my life am I treating rest as something to earn, rather than something to build from? 

Which step — Release, Exhale, Savor, or Tune In — am I most called to practice this week?