When was the last time you did absolutely nothing? Not scrolling through your phone. Not watching television. Not folding laundry while listening to a podcast. Not answering emails. Just resting. In March of 2026, Talker Research (talkerresearch.com) surveyed 2,000 adults about this exact thing, “the busy effect.” The data was staggering! 56% of respondents sais they find it difficult to “do nothing,” 48% said they would “feel guilty,” if they did nothing, while 46% said they “feel stressed when not actively busy.” They shared that the average person uses the phrase, “I’m busy,” nearly 300 times a year, while more than 35% say they ofte use it as an excuse or as 37% of others say, it’s easier than saying no. That’s a lot of information! While some lie about being busy, others are feeling stressed and guilty to not be constantly on the go. This isn’t good news!
We live in a culture that celebrates productivity. We count steps, track workouts, monitor sleep, check notifications, and fill our calendars with activities and don’t forget, if you don’t post it on social media, it didn’t happen! While there is certainly value in staying active and engaged, many of us have forgotten that rest is also an important part of good health. According to the National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov), chronic stress can affect nearly every system in the body, contributing to headaches, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, increased blood pressure, and weakened immune function.
The challenge is that our bodies do not always recognize the difference between a true emergency and the constant demands of modern life. Deadlines, financial concerns, caregiving responsibilities, family obligations, and the steady stream of information coming from our devices can keep our nervous systems operating on high alert. Researchers sometimes refer to this as being “always on.” However, there are many simple ways to “turn off.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic (www.clevelandclinic.org), relaxation practices can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the body’s “rest and digest” response. When this system is activated, heart rate slows, breathing becomes calmer, muscles relax, and the body shifts into a state more conducive to healing and recovery. One practice gaining attention for its ability to promote deep relaxation is Yoga Nidra, often translated as “yogic sleep” or “sleep yoga.” Despite its name, participants remain awake while being guided through a state of profound physical relaxation and mental awareness. This practice has had studies that show one practice of Yoga Nidra can have the clinical benefits of 4 hours of sleep. While real sleep is always best, this can certainly be a great addition for the racing mind, adding a reset in the day, helping those who need to add in rest or anyone who just wants to enjoy.
According to research published through the National Library of Medicine (www.nlm.nih.gov), Yoga Nidra has been associated with reduced stress, improved sleep quality, and increased feelings of well-being. Many participants report feeling as though they have awakened from a restorative nap despite never actually falling asleep. Perhaps the greatest benefit of intentional rest is that it reminds us that health is not only built through activity. It is also built through recovery. It is at rest that our bodies heal, our memories are made and we can become who we want to be! A lack of sleep makes us forgetful, more susceptible to disease and even unsafe behine the wheel.
Sound baths are another relaxation practice that has gained attention in both wellness and healthcare settings. During a sound bath, participants are immersed in soothing sounds created by instruments such as singing bowls, chimes, gongs, or other resonant instruments. While the experience may feel simple, researchers are beginning to explore its potential benefits. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (www.nccih.nih.gov), sound-based therapies may help promote relaxation and reduce perceived stress. A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that participants reported reductions in tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood following a sound meditation session. While more research is needed, many people describe sound baths as an opportunity to slow racing thoughts, quiet mental chatter, and create a sense of calm that can be difficult to achieve in everyday life.
Together, Yoga Nidra and sound bathing offer something many of us rarely experience: uninterrupted time to simply be. Rather than asking the body to perform, achieve, or produce, these practices encourage rest, reflection, and recovery. This is exactly what we are offering this Saturday at The Wellness Center as a “welcome summer event.” This Saturday, June 20, at 9:30 a.m we event will begin with gentle mindful movement before transitioning into guided Yoga Nidra and concluding with a calming sound bath designed to promote relaxation and renewal. We hope to add just a moment for people to pause and rest before summer arrives in the Northeast Kingdom. Before schedules quickly fill with gardening, family gatherings, outdoor projects, travel, and community events. While these activities bring joy and connection, they can also leave us depleted if we never pause long enough to recharge.
The event is also a fundraiser for The Rotary Club of Newport. Participants will receive three entries into the Annual Fourth of July Lindy Palin Flyover Ping Pong Drop, which includes prizes and a $500 grand prize. Those who pre-register will also receive a special summer self-care thank-you gift.
Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is not another workout, another project, or another item on the to-do list. Sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is simply give ourselves permission to rest. We then find ourselves ready to take on the day, the new season, or even the next task, feeling more refreshed, level headed, and rested. Join us as we take a rest into summer!