What is Rest Ethic?

From a young age, the phrase ‘work ethic’ is thrown around a lot; the idea being that there is a moral connection to the inherent effort and ability put into a task (or series of tasks). Typically, this is used in an accedemic or professional context, although it can relate to just about any task really. The term is used interchangeably between the amount of effort put into a thing and the result, the output (which are not always one and the same). With the global situation, one good thing that has arisen is the discussion of its counterpart: rest ethic.

The Cultural Burn Out

The pressure to be ‘productive’ has never been higher. We’re all supposed to be working fulltime jobs, managing personal lives, keeping on top of chores, monitoring the news, having some side project of some kind and so on. We’re taught to be busy, and we are, culturally we are so very busy. Now, on top of all this; the line between work and not work is blurred more than ever. People are burning out and mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression are on the rise.

Here’s the kicker though; this issue we’re seeing isn’t because of COVID or lockdown, it’s because of the way we fail on a societal level to segregate and achieve work-life balance. In fact, in some work situations it is better to be seen to have a good work ethic and over compensate (i.e. work more) than take a step back and consider your own well-being.

This needs to stop.

It’s Not About Working Hard

Contrary to what we are taught growing up, working hard for the sake of working hard, doesn’t actually achieve much in the way of productivity. As a former programmer, I learned this the hard way. Rather, it is about working well, or working smart.

What does this mean?

Well, for one, it means knowing your limit and learning how best to focus your time and effort. For example if you do a task in an hour, that could (under good conditions) be done in 15 minutes that isn’t all that smart. It happens all the time though, because a) we work in sub-optimal conditions and b) fatigue sets in caused by insufficient rest. Rest is incredibly important for a healthy body and brain that can function and do things.

Achieving Balance

Effort does not equal output, we know this but logically this means that work ethic cannot equate to quality of work. In other words, there is balance to be achieved. Sure, having a work ethic is great but alone, it’s more detrimental than people realise.

Having a Good Rest Ethic is a Virtue

The balance then is coupling your work ethic with a rest ethic; in other words. cultivating a sense of niksen.

There is no one-size-fits-all rest ethic, what we do to relax is different between each person and their own time, situation and context. It isn’t about keeping busy when you aren’t actually working, moving from your day project to your evening one is not actual rest, it’s knowing how to relax and when you need to and it’s knowing how to be idle and when to recharge. There shouldn’t be guild or dissatisfaction in doing nothing, or perusing a recreational hobby, we’re humans after all, the key factor here is to put much importance into the act of switching off and recovering as not. Rest is a need after all, and should be treated as such.

Do you have a good rest ethic? Let us know in the comments below.