The Business Case for Rest

1. Why Rest Is Good for Business

Rest isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a strategic tool that fuels clarity, creativity, and resilience.

Research from Harvard Business Review shows that people who take regular vacations are more productive, more engaged, and report higher job satisfaction than those who don’t (HBR, 2016). Similarly, studies show that sleep-deprived decision-making can mirror the effects of alcohol impairment (CDC, 2017)—not ideal for making big business moves.

Whether you're leading a company or contributing to one, rest is not optional. It’s essential.

2. Signs You Might Need a Break

Sometimes you don’t realize you’re running on empty until something breaks—your creativity, your temper, or your motivation.

Watch for these signs:

• You’re constantly irritable or impatient.
  
  
• You feel mentally foggy or disconnected from your purpose.
  
  
• Small tasks feel overwhelming.
  
  
• Your performance or decision-making is slipping.
  
  

These are your cues to step back, even briefly, to recharge.

3. How to Take Meaningful Time Off

Time off is most effective when it’s intentional. Here’s how to make it count:

✅ Unplug, Don’t Just Relocate

Try not to just “work from the beach.” Truly disconnect from emails and to-do lists to allow your brain to shift gears. Set up an auto-responder and empower your team to handle things in your absence.

✅ Plan Ahead to Protect Your Peace

Even one day off can help if you prepare for it. Communicate early, wrap up key tasks, and leave clear instructions. When you plan for rest, it feels earned—not stressful.

✅ Choose the Right Kind of Rest

Rest looks different for everyone. For some, it’s travel. For others, it’s a quiet morning with no obligations. Don’t assume rest has to be productive. It just has to be restorative.

4. What Happens When You Actually Rest

• You return with fresh ideas and better perspective.
  
  
• You make more strategic, less reactive decisions.
  
  
• Your team sees that you model work-life balance—and they’ll follow suit.
  
  

According to Deloitte, 77% of employees have experienced burnout in their current roles (Deloitte, 2021). But when leadership normalizes rest, the culture shifts to one that’s healthier, more sustainable, and more profitable in the long run.

5. Build Rest Into Your Business Strategy

As part of our work at Business Financials Inc., we help entrepreneurs plan beyond the profit margins—which includes lifestyle alignment and preventing burnout. A strong financial system includes capacity for rest:

• Can your business function without you for a day? A week?
  
  
• Do you have systems and team structures in place to support you?
  
  
• Are you budgeting for downtime in your financial and operational plans?
  
  

If not, we can help you get there.

Final Thoughts

The truth is simple: you’re not meant to run at 100% all the time. Rest is a renewable resource—and when you tap into it, your best work follows.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a team member, or an executive, you deserve time off that actually feels like time off. Let it recharge you. Let it refine your vision. Then come back and build something even better.

Need help designing systems so your business keeps moving even while you’re resting? That’s what we’re here for. At Business Financials Inc., we help you build smarter, healthier businesses that work with your life, not against it.

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. BUSINESS FINANCIALS, INC. (BFI) IS NOT ISSUING SPECIFIC FINANCIAL OR TAX ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT WITH A LICENSED FINANCIAL PLANNER, TAX ATTORNEY, OR ACCOUNTANT FOR ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION. IF YOU NEED HELP, WE INVITE YOU TO CONTACT US. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS OR REFER YOU TO A LICENSED PROVIDER WHO MAY BE BEST SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION.