Image Source: 123rf.com
We live in a world that glorifies busyness but still urges us to “rest and recharge.” That sounds good in theory—until your idea of winding down is lying in bed, endlessly scrolling through your phone, feeling worse by the minute.
The line between actual rest and passive digital zoning-out can get really blurry. You think you’re giving your mind a break, but somehow, you come out of it feeling drained instead of refreshed. So how do you tell if you’re truly resting—or just caught in a low-energy spiral?
What Genuine Rest Actually Looks Like
True rest is intentional. It’s not just the absence of work or productivity—it’s the presence of activities or stillness that allow your body and mind to reset. That can be anything from napping, reading a book you enjoy, meditating, or going for a walk without checking your phone.
Genuine rest leaves you feeling more centered, calm, and slightly more whole than before. You don’t have to be doing nothing, but you do need to be present with whatever you’re doing.
Scrolling Might Feel Like Rest, But It Rarely Is
Endless scrolling gives the illusion of rest because it doesn’t require much physical or mental effort. But instead of replenishing you, it tends to overstimulate your brain and sap your attention span.
After twenty minutes of TikTok or doomscrolling Twitter, you’re often left with a mental fog and a vague sense of dissatisfaction. That’s because your mind is still working—processing content, emotions, comparisons, and sometimes even low-level anxiety. Instead of soothing your system, it can put you in a low-grade stress loop.
Ask Yourself: Do I Feel Better After?
One simple way to know if you’re genuinely resting is to check in with yourself afterward. Do you feel more grounded or more scattered? Do you have a clearer head or a heavier mood?
Real rest should feel like you’ve been nourished, even if just a little. If you finish your “break” feeling groggy, irritable, or unmotivated, it’s worth asking whether that time was truly restful—or just a mental distraction in disguise.
Your Body Knows the Difference
Your body tends to send signals when something isn’t actually restorative. When you’re genuinely resting, your nervous system begins to calm: your breath slows, your shoulders drop, and you may even feel a little more in sync with yourself. On the other hand, if you’re in a digital funk, your posture might be slouched, your eyes strained, and your breathing shallow without you even realizing it. It’s subtle, but over time, this can build up into burnout masked as boredom.
Paying attention to how your body feels during and after rest can be more telling than anything else.
Rest Without Intention Is Just Escape
There’s nothing wrong with needing an escape every now and then. But when escape becomes your default response to stress, exhaustion, or even boredom, it can turn into a trap. Real rest requires some level of intention, even if that’s just saying to yourself, “I’m going to read for ten minutes and then check in with how I feel.”
Escapism might give temporary relief, but intentional rest builds resilience. One makes you feel like you’re surviving; the other helps you feel like you’re slowly getting back to yourself.
Image Source: 123rf.com
The Digital Daze Is Sneaky—And Common
Let’s be real: most of us have fallen into the digital daze more times than we’d like to admit. It’s easy to slip into because it feels effortless and accessible. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s healthy or effective as a form of rest. If your “downtime” consists of passively consuming content for hours, you’re probably not giving your brain what it truly needs. Recognizing this pattern is the first step to changing it.
Replace, Don’t Just Resist
Trying to force yourself to stop scrolling without offering yourself an alternative rarely works. That’s because habits don’t break in a vacuum—they need to be replaced. Instead of telling yourself, “I’m not going to touch my phone,” try saying, “I’m going to stretch for five minutes and then listen to music I love.”
Small, enjoyable activities can fill the same space that scrolling once did—but with more benefit and less burnout. Over time, this shift in intention can help you naturally gravitate toward more fulfilling rest.
You’re Allowed to Redefine What Rest Looks Like
Everyone’s version of rest can look a little different, and that’s okay. What works for one person—like journaling or knitting—might not work for you, and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. The key is tuning in to what actually makes you feel restored, not what’s trendy or aesthetically pleasing. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what gives your mind, body, and emotions a real break. You have permission to build a version of rest that works for you.
Realize When You’re Really Resting
Rest isn’t just about stopping—it’s about choosing something that helps you come back to yourself. If you’ve been feeling like your “breaks” are leaving you more drained than restored, it might be time to rethink what rest means in your life.
What does real rest look like for you? Have you caught yourself scrolling in a funk? Let’s share thoughts below so we can all get better at truly relaxing and resting.
Read More
Why Everyone Is Talking About Digital Detox Week—and How To Try It
13 Reasons Baby Boomers Are Hopelessly Addicted To Their Phones
Leave a Reply