Many moms forget about the importance of rest. Learn how to prioritize rest and motivate yourself to relax with these 10 quotes about rest. Let’s focus on rest for moms together.
Maybe it is because many of us have accidently grown into professional people-pleasers.
Or, could it be because we are a generation that was expected to “do it all” – work, parent, and have a side hustle?
While I can’t fully pinpoint the reason, the trend is glaringly obvious:
Today’s mothers feel lazy if they sit down even for a moment.
It took me a while to learn that rest, actually, is the most productive thing I can do. Therefore, I am sharing why many of us feel this way, signs that you need to rest, and quotes about rest – in hopes it helps you realize this, too.
Also read: How to Stop Being a People-pleaser.
Related: 8 Things Your Kids Need More than Clean Floors and Fancy Dinners
Quick History of the Word ‘Lazy’
The word “lazy” can be traced back to the 1500’s. It was used as a judgmental way to describe someone who supposedly didn’t like work or effort.
In America, the Puritans essentially despised the idea of free-time almost as much as they hated ‘witches’. They thought that hard work was a sign that God had chosen them for salvation. They had no sympathy for someone who failed to complete their work.
Some believe that this birthed the culture where moments that lacked productivity were looked at negatively. This American view of ‘laziness’ was only further exploited as time went on.
This article in Momentum dives deep into the history of the word Laziness, and explains that society “Made us hate our own limitations, to see our tiredness or desire for a break as signs of failure. And it has created an intense internal pressure to keep working harder and harder, with no limits and no boundaries.”
If you feel that rest, no matter how much it is needed, is a negative thing- you are unfortunately not alone.
The problem is- this part of our culture is BS.
Read: You are NOT an Angry Mom, you Just need one of these things (spoiler: rest for moms is one!)
You may also like: Breaking the Cycle of Bad Parenting
5 Signs That You Need to Prioritize Rest
When I had this dreadful feeling that I was stuck in the movie groundhog day, I realized that I needed to take some time and focus on myself.
These are 5 other common signs that you have forgotten to rest:
- You get angry or irritated easily
- You aren’t excited about things that you used to enjoy
- You can’t focus or spend too much time mindlessly scrolling social media to “zone out”
- You aren’t sleeping well – or you are worn out even if you do sleep
- You are relying too much on your vices
Once you learn to pick up on queues that you need to rest, you can start proactively “scheduling” rest time for yourself. It can be as simple as getting up before the kids to enjoy your coffee alone, or taking a yearly kid-free vacation with friends.
Additionally, resting doesn’t have to be kid-free. You can have a movie night, read a book together, or go on a walk outside with your family.
In reality, we are lazy if we don’t make time to rest. (see what I did there?)
If you feel that you are experiencing signs of depression, reach out to your healthcare provider right away. Do not take mental health lightly.
For more Simply Rooted Family raw motherhood conversations, check out our Mom Life posts.
10 Quotes About Rest
You will be a better mom, friend, and person when you recharge yourself.
These are 10 inspiring quotes about the importance of rest for moms and all family members:
- “Wisdom is knowing when to have rest, when to have activity, and how much of each to have.” — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
- “There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” — Alan Cohen
- “Rest is a productive activity” – Sophia Joan
- “He who cannot rest, cannot work” – Harry Emerson Fosdick
- “We humans have lost the wisdom of genuinely resting and relaxing” – Thich Nhat Hanh
- “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time” – John Lubbock
- “Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest” – Ashleigh Brilliant
- “Life without the gift of rest is merely existing without being able to enjoy the bouquet of all we have been given” – Margaret Feinberg
- “Resting is about stopping for a significant period of time during the day and to completely unwind” – Ben Bergeron
- Resting is not a waste of time. It’s an investment in well-being” – Adam Grant
Did you enjoy these quotes about rest? Then check out these 15 inspirational quotes.
Final Thoughts on the Importance of Rest for Moms
When you rest, instead of telling yourself “I am lazy”, remind yourself that you are smart enough to listen to your mind and body queues telling you to take a break.
Start seeing rest as a positive activity – like drinking water and exercising.
Consider it a productive activity – like finishing a project or task.
Honey, it is time to prioritize rest.
You may also like: Why do I feel like a Bad Mom? and Why Lazy Parenting is Best
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