The Busy Woman’s Guide to Rest: Why Slowing Down Will Actually Get You Ahead

Have you ever felt the pressure to be perfect?

It’s a rhetorical question, of course… because every woman I know has felt that way at some point! Trying to be everything to everyone all the time was my default mode for decades.

And I’m guessing you’ve experienced it too—the relentless drive to overperform and be flawless. The fear that if you don’t do it perfectly, you’ll fall behind or let someone down. It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

The truth is, pressuring ourselves to be perfect can be all-consuming. It pushes us to constantly overdeliver, and chase after flawless outcomes. While I admit that this drive can bring us success, it also keeps us trapped in a cycle where nothing less than perfect is acceptable.

This perfectionism doesn’t just cause stress—it compounds it. It forces us to keep moving, even when our bodies and minds are crying out for a break. And the more we ignore these signals, the harder it becomes to break free.

burnt out woman with head on hands sitting on floor

The thing is – you already have the resources within you to heal this situation.

I believe we all inherently know how to heal our lives and fix what isn’t working. The problem is most of us are so busy, we don’t pay attention to the signs. We’re not listening to ourselves.

It’s ironic how we’ll get so angry or resentful when our boss, clients, or partner doesn’t listen to us. But, we rarely realize that we’re doing it to ourselves too!

The truth is changing this situation starts with us, and it starts with a paradigm shift.

What if I told you that slowing down could actually make you more productive and successful?

The reality is rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.

As high-achieving women, we’ve been conditioned to believe that success is earned through non-stop hustle, flawless results, and pushing through exhaustion. We pride ourselves on our ability to juggle multiple roles, meet deadlines, and take on more than seems humanly possible.

But here’s the truth: when we’re burnt out and exhausted we’re not operating at our best. It also just feels shitty.

I get it. As the former CEO & Founder of a global Public Relations Agency, I know a thing or two about perfectionism and hustle culture.

For years, I tried to juggle my agency, being a mom, going to graduate school full-time….and doing it all perfectly! I rarely gave myself time for rest, and I completely ignored the fact that I was unhappy and resentful about my situation.

As I’m sure you can guess, it just wasn’t sustainable. It eventually reached a point where I was so burnt out, I had no choice but to take a long hard look at my situation and make changes. Now, I’m coaching other women who want to do the same.

Hustle culture is a trap. There’s always one more task to complete, one more goal to hit, and the relentless pressure to perform at the highest level. It never ends. So, if doing more isn’t the answer, what is!?

What if the secret to achieving more with less effort is actually… slowing down?

The idea of rest can feel counterintuitive, almost like it’s a luxury you can’t afford, especially when there’s always something demanding your attention.

Fortunately there’s actually a way to get the rest you need without taking massive time away from the things that are important to you.

Enter mindfulness.

By learning to be mindful in the things you’re already doing—you can rest, recharge, refocus, and ultimately achieve more without constantly burning the candle at both ends.

In this guide, we’ll explore how giving yourself permission to slow down isn’t a sign of weakness, but a powerful strategy to achieve long-term success with more ease, less stress, and fewer sacrifices.

I’m here to show you how to integrate mindfulness and rest into your busy life—without feeling like you’re falling behind.

Let’s dive in.

Hustle Culture: Why Is Busyness a Status Symbol!?

busy professional woman multitasking as she copies something at work.

When did being busy become synonymous with being successful? We wear our busy schedules like badges of honor, as if constant busyness is the ultimate sign of success. But when did we start equating endless productivity with worth?

I wore busyness as a status symbol for a long, long time. I’d tell anyone who asked how busy I constantly was, with pride. It didn’t matter that I was burnt out, resentful, and unhappy. At least I was busy and successful (*eye roll*).

We’re conditioned to believe that the more we do, the more successful we are. Yet, this relentless push toward achievement often leaves us feeling exhausted, burned out, and disconnected from the very goals we’re striving to accomplish.

It also leaves us massively disconnected from ourselves, which is dangerous territory. Living this way can lead to resentment, unhappiness and depression.

The reality is, the more we grind, the more we lose sight of the bigger picture. We end up sacrificing focus, creativity, and well-being—and in the process, ourselves.

The Neuroscience of Mindfulness: A Game-Changer for High Achievers

As much as I’d love to convince women everywhere to take a much needed vacation (or hell, a full-on year-long sabbatical), I know that it’s not feasible. We still have stuff to get done.

This is where mindfulness enters the picture. It might seem counterintuitive to slow down when you’re racing against the clock, but research shows that mindfulness actually makes you more efficient and focused. It also reconnects you to yourself.

When you practice mindfulness—even for just a few minutes throughout your day—you’re giving your brain a recharge that leads to more clarity, creativity, and better decision-making.

Here’s why: mindfulness strengthens the prefrontal cortex—the part of your brain that handles high-level functions like decision-making, problem-solving, and focus.

When we’re constantly running on empty, this crucial area of the brain gets depleted. But just a few minutes of mindfulness can recharge the prefrontal cortex, making it easier to focus, solve problems, and make better decisions.

Even more importantly, mindfulness gives us a chance to listen to ourselves. In a world where we often go unheard, showing up for ourselves is the ultimate act of rebellion and self-care.

It’s only when we slow down and listen to that inner voice that we can truly become empowered.

Mindfulness Gives You All the Good Stuff Without the Burnout

peaceful woman sitting by lake drinking coffee

Hustle culture, however well-intentioned it may be (and that’s debatable), usually leaves us with little room to be ourselves. Creativity and problem-solving can become stifled when we’re constantly moving from one task to the next.

Mindfulness creates space in your brain for new ideas and fresh perspectives. It gives you the time and space to shift from the rush of doing to the calm of thinking, allowing new ideas to flow more easily.

Taking short mindful moments throughout the day—whether it’s a few deep breaths, a quick body scan, or a five-minute walk outside—can help you stay grounded and energized, so you can return to your life and your work with a clearer mind and renewed focus.

And the best part? It doesn’t have to be about taking huge breaks from your busy schedule; it’s about showing up to what you’re already doing with more awareness, flow, and intention—so you can be your best self without the constant grind.

For high achievers like us, mindfulness can be a game changer. Rather than pushing through exhaustion, it gives us the tools to reconnect to ourselves and work smarter, not harder.

Small Changes, Big Results

I know that the struggle is real when it comes to finding time for breaks and self-care. As busy women, we may have the best of intentions, and we may know that it’s time for a change…but actually doing it is another story.

That’s where mindful micro-rest comes in. You don’t always need long hours of downtime to reset your mind and body (although sometimes it’s warranted) —just a few moments of intentional awareness can make a huge difference.

One simple technique I incorporate throughout my day is deep breathing. By taking just a few slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out your mouth, you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, signaling to your body that it’s time to relax.

It’s quick, discreet, and can be done anywhere—whether you’re sitting at your desk, in a meeting, or even in the middle of a conversation. This simple act can bring your stress levels down and restore your focus, all without needing to step away from your tasks.

Another powerful practice I use on busy days is a body scan. It’s super simple, and you start by scanning your body, starting from the tips of your toes and working up to your head, noticing any tension or discomfort. When you notice areas of discomfort, breathe into them and imagine them melting away.

In just a couple of minutes, you can identify areas where you’re holding stress and consciously release that tension. Not only are you releasing tension and relaxing your nervous system, but you’re also paying attention to your body signals. By paying attention to how your body is feeling, you’re showing yourself that you’re important too.

The act of simply checking in with yourself throughout the day is a game-changer. It’s easy to push through the day without checking in with ourselves, thinking that we’ll get a break later. But the truth is, by the time you reach that “break,” you might already be too depleted to truly recharge.

When you start to check in with yourself regularly, you create a habit of reflection throughout the day. This allows you to notice the warning signs of burnout and resentment before they continue to build.

Throughout the day, take a few minutes to ask yourself questions like:

“Am I tired?” If you’re feeling drained, this might be a sign that you need to take a brief rest or hydrate.

“Am I overwhelmed?” If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider stepping back for a moment, adjusting your priorities, or asking for help.

“Am I focused?” If you’re finding it hard to concentrate, try a mindful reset, like a few minutes of deep breathing or a body scan, to clear your mind.

These simple self-check-ins can help you make adjustments as needed, allowing you to respond to your body and mind’s needs rather than just pushing through. By tuning into how you’re feeling, you can maintain a balance between work and rest, and avoid the fallout that usually comes from ignoring your limits.

Showing up for yourself and allowing yourself even a few moments to just be throughout the day is truly the ultimate act of self-compassion.

The Power of Mindful Rest

woman standing with arms open at sunset on the beach.

By incorporating these micro-rest techniques into your day, you can give your brain and body the recovery they need to keep doing what they do best.

Mindfulness doesn’t always mean taking long breaks or stopping your momentum (although I’m all for that, too!). Instead, it’s about finding moments of stillness throughout the day, so you can continue moving forward without losing yourself or burning out.

When you approach your tasks with a mindful mindset, you stop fighting against your energy and start working in harmony with it.

It’s all-too-easy to lose touch with our true needs and desires when we’re constantly busy. Mindful moments allow you to listen to your body and mind, and reconnect with what’s truly important. To me, that’s the most important thing of all.

Need more support?

If this spoke to you, and you want to keep the momentum going, I have something special for you—a free mini-vacation (mental vacation, that is) with me each week!

For 10 minutes each week, I’ll whisk you away to a new destination where you can relax, unwind,and let the stress melt away….No plane tickets necessary!