How to press pause without the world falling apart

How to press pause without the world falling apart

There’s a story we tell ourselves: “I’ll rest when the work is done.” But the work is never done, right? There’s always another email, another WhatsApp ping, another “quick call” that’s anything but. We’ve all been there, sitting at the dinner table, phone face-down (but not off), pretending we’re present while our minds are still in the last meeting.

But what if rest isn’t the thing you earn at the end of the marathon? What if it’s the thing that lets you run at all?

Wellbeing is about building tiny habits that remind you you’re more than your output. Try this:

• Try a “5-5-5-5 box breathing” (thanks to Rob Rea you can check it out here) before your next meeting: close your eyes, take three slow breaths, and notice your feet on the floor.
• Swap your phone scroll for a window stare. (Yes, really. Turns out, daydreaming is good for you.
• If you’re feeling bold, tell someone you’re taking a break. Watch how the world keeps spinning.