The Guilt of Rest and Why It’s So Hard to Stop

I’ve got one of those colds-that-might-not-be-a-cold. You know the kind: head in a vice, energy tank on empty, slight obsession with Dr Google. Sinusitis? Possibly. Or just another delightful “gift” carried home by my daughter - hers is always the light, mini version, while I get handed the full, maxi upgrade.

But as much as I fantasise about a day in bed with tea, Netflix, and no responsibilities, I know myself: I’d feel guilty. Genuinely guilty. For doing nothing.

Which, if you think about it, is ridiculous. My body is literally waving a white flag, and yet my brain says, “You should be getting things done.”

Sound familiar?

Why Women Feel Guilty Resting

I don’t think it’s just me. Many of us, especially women, have been conditioned to keep going, no matter what. Work deadlines, school runs, family meals, the endless invisible to-do list… and heaven forbid we let one ball drop. We push through, we “cope,” and then wonder why the cold lingers for weeks.

Rest isn’t on the to-do list. It’s framed as indulgence. Lazy. Weak. But the truth is, guilt doesn’t heal. If anything, it makes recovery slower, because your body and mind are battling each other instead of working together.

A Mindset Shift: Rest as an Investment

What if we saw rest the same way we see work - as something productive, valuable, and necessary? Because it is. Rest isn’t just lying down; it’s the reset button that lets us show up stronger tomorrow.

The irony is, the guilt we feel when we stop is often heavier than the rest itself. And yet, when we do pause, the world doesn’t fall apart. The inbox waits. The laundry waits. The clients wait. And… they survive!

My Takeaway (and Yours)

So no, I probably won’t spend the whole day in bed (old habits die hard). But I will remind myself that pausing isn’t failing. It’s listening. It’s respecting what my body is telling me.

If you’re reading this while sniffling, sneezing, or simply feeling drained, here’s your permission slip: stop. Rest. Breathe. The guilt will come knocking, ignore it. Your health is worth more than your productivity.

Because colds come and go. But the habit of listening to yourself? That’s what really builds resilience.