From the moment we wake up, we are constantly bombarded with messages telling us we need to be more productive. We are told to work longer hours, get more done, and always be on the go. This obsession with productivity has led us to view rest as a chore or a luxury rather than a necessity.
In his essay "You Can't Optimize For Rest," L. M. Sacasas argues that this way of thinking is misguided. He argues that rest is not something that can be optimized. Instead, it is something that must be allowed to happen naturally.
Sacazas supports his argument by citing the work of Jacques Ellul, a French sociologist who coined the term "technique" to describe how technology has come to dominate our lives. Ellul argued that technique is not simply a tool but a way of thinking and acting characterized by efficiency, control, and optimization. Sacasas argues that this way of thinking has seeped into our understanding of rest, leading us to believe that we can and should optimize our rest to be more productive.
However, Sacasas argues that this is a misguided approach. He points out that rest cannot be measured or quantified. It is not something that can be optimized. Instead, it is something that must be allowed to happen naturally.
Sacazas suggests we must find ways to reframe our understanding of rest. He means we should see rest as a necessary part of life rather than a burden. He also suggests that we need to find ways to incorporate rest into our daily lives, even if it means saying no to some things.
In addition to Sacasas's essay, several other sources support the idea that rest is essential for our health and well-being. For example, Matthew Crawford, author of "The World Beyond Your Head," argues that we must find ways to slow down and unplug technology to give our minds and bodies a chance to rest and repair. Carl Honoré, author of "In Praise of Slowness," makes a similar argument and provides several tips for slowing down our lives. Michael Easter, author of "The Power of Rest," provides a scientific overview of the benefits of rest and offers several strategies for getting more rest.
The evidence is clear: rest is essential for our health and well-being. We need to stop trying to optimize our rest and start seeing it as a necessary part of life. We will pay the price in the long run if we don't.
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