7 Types of Rest for Leaders
As the season shifts, many of us are moving a little slower — not just because the days are getting shorter, but because we’re carrying more than we realize.
There’s a quiet fatigue that can settle in this time of year.
The kind that comes from constantly holding — decisions, people, deadlines, space.
It’s easy to default to pushing through.
But we’ve seen how leadership rooted in urgency burns out not just individuals, but entire cultures.
That’s why we’re offering something simple: a gentle reframe.
Rest isn’t separate from the work.
It is the work.
We created this infographic as a quiet companion — something you can print, share, pin to your office wall, or bring into a team conversation.
It maps out seven types of rest, each meeting a different kind of need.
Because not all exhaustion looks the same — and not all rest restores us in the same way.
What kind of rest are you missing?
If your body feels heavy or tense, it might be physical rest that’s needed — like deep sleep, a warm bath, or an unhurried walk.
If your mind is racing, looping, or scattered, it might be time for mental rest — a few minutes of journaling, stillness, or just stepping away from your screen.
If your days feel over-full with meetings, notifications, and noise, sensory rest can help — moments of quiet, soft light, or even just closing your eyes to reset your system.
And sometimes, what’s needed isn’t solitude — it’s emotional or social rest. That might look like reaching out to someone who grounds you. Or pulling back from relationships that leave you feeling drained.
There’s also spiritual rest — the kind that reconnects you to something bigger than your to-do list. A moment to breathe, reflect, or realign with purpose.
And finally, creative rest. Because leaders hold a vision. And that vision needs space. Letting beauty, art, or nature refill you isn’t a luxury — it’s how your ideas keep breathing.
Try this with your team (or just with yourself)
There’s no worksheet or agenda here. Just a quiet invitation:
Which kind of rest feels most unavailable to you right now — and how might you make a little more room for it this week?
You don’t have to do all seven. Even one small shift can soften the edge and bring you back to yourself.
Leadership isn’t just about making things happen.
It’s about knowing when to pause.
When to listen.
When to protect the energy that allows you to lead with clarity and care.
Let this be your reminder:
You don’t have to earn your rest. You just have to honor it.
