Let’s get one thing straight: being resilient isn’t about saying you’re ‘fine’ when you’re clearly not.
It’s about noticing when you’re not fine — and doing something about it.
And right now? A lot of people in leadership roles aren’t fine. But here’s the real kicker — many leaders still believe rest is something you earn ‘after’ the work’s done. That resilience means powering through at all costs. That setting boundaries is selfish.
We’ve got news for you:
That’s not resilience. That’s slow, quiet self-destruction.
At Ivy House, we believe rest is a leadership skill. So is self-awareness. So is modelling boundaries that give others permission to do the same.
And if you’re hovering somewhere between ‘burnt out’ and ‘just about holding it together’, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s another way.
Let’s talk about the 7 types of rest every leader needs — and what might change if we prioritised them as part of how we lead.
1. Physical rest – it’s more than just sleep
Most leaders are pretty good at ignoring their bodies… until their bodies force them to stop. Sound familiar?
But physical rest isn’t just about crashing into bed. It’s about recharging through movement and stillness — stretching, massage, yoga, naps, regular breaks, mindful eating.
Without it, our nervous system stays stuck on high alert. Our immunity drops. Our energy dips — and let’s be honest, we become a little less kind, a little less clear.
Try this: Set actual breaks between meetings. Take a lunchtime walk without your phone. Lie on the floor for 5 minutes. Your body isn’t a machine — it’s your most important leadership tool.
2. Mental rest – slow the spin
Ever finish a day full of back-to-back meetings and feel like you’ve achieved absolutely nothing? That’s mental overload. Your brain’s screaming for a break.
Mental rest means giving your mind time to process, wander, breathe. Without it, we fall into reactive mode — firefighting, forgetting, second-guessing ourselves.
Try this: Schedule or allow for mind-wandering time. Write down what’s swirling in your head. Step away from your screen and stare out of a window. (Yes, really.) You don’t need to be doing to be working.
3. Sensory rest – unplug to reconnect
Noise, screens, Zoom fatigue, constant Slack pings… we’re living in a sensory tsunami. And most leaders are drowning in it.
Sensory rest is about switching off — literally. Silence. Soft lighting. Zero notifications. Time away from your tech.
Try this: Block out a screen-free hour before bed. Walk without music. Ditch your phone for the first 30 minutes of the day. It’s not unproductive — it’s human.
4. Creative rest – refill your imagination
Leadership isn’t just strategy and execution — it’s vision, imagination, possibility. But you can’t lead creatively when you’re mentally tapped out.
Creative rest means seeking out beauty, wonder, awe. Not to ‘tick a wellbeing box’, but to reconnect with the part of you that dreams big.
Try this: Go somewhere beautiful. Read something totally unrelated to work. Spend time in nature. Creativity isn’t just for artists — it’s fuel for innovation.
5. Emotional rest – be real, not ‘fine’
Holding space for others is part of leadership. But if you never have space to express how you feel? That’s a fast track to emotional exhaustion.
Emotional rest is about being honest. Dropping the mask. Having relationships where you don’t need to pretend you’ve got it all together.
Try this: Say “I’m not sure” or “I’m finding this hard” when it’s true. Talk to someone who gets it. And remind yourself: vulnerability doesn’t weaken your authority — it strengthens trust.
6. Social rest – choose who you’re around
You know that feeling when you walk away from a conversation totally drained? That’s your cue.
Social rest isn’t about isolation — it’s about spending time with people who energise you. Or, when needed, time alone to reset.
Try this: Check in with who’s lifting you up, and who’s quietly draining you. Seek out people who see you. Protect your energy — it’s not selfish, it’s strategic.
7. Spiritual rest – reconnect to meaning
This one’s often overlooked — especially in fast-paced, results-driven environments. But if your work has lost its meaning? Burnout isn’t far behind.
Spiritual rest is about purpose, alignment, connection to something bigger than yourself — whatever that looks like for you.
Try this: Revisit your values. Ask yourself what truly matters. Find ways to make an impact beyond the bottom line. Because leadership without purpose is just performance.
Rest isn’t the reward. It’s the requirement.
Let’s ditch the idea that rest is something we squeeze in once we’ve done everything else.
It’s not weakness. It’s not indulgent.
It’s how we show up as better leaders.
When we lead from a place of rest — physical, mental, emotional, creative — we lead with clarity, presence and impact. And we show others that it’s not only OK to care for yourself… it’s necessary.
So take a minute. Look at those 7 types of rest. Which one are you craving right now?
And what’s one small shift you could make this week to honour it?
If you’re interested in learning more about how we help leaders, we have many articles you can check out here. Or, if you’re an HR or L&D leader who is looking for a partner for your development initiatives, you can find out more about Ivy House here.