My Journey to Embracing Rest as a Healing Practice
There was a season when I couldn’t keep pushing—even though I tried.
I was holding it all together on the outside, but inside, I felt like I was unraveling.
Exhausted, foggy, overstimulated… and strangely disconnected from my own body.
I thought rest was something you earned after everything was done. I thought burnout was something I could “get ahead of” with the right planner, the right supplement, or the right mindset shift.
But no matter how many wellness tips I followed, my body kept whispering the same message:
Please stop. Please slow down.
The Breaking Point
I remember one day in particular—it was late afternoon, and I had just finished a string of back-to-back commitments. The house was a mess, my to-do list felt never-ending, and I couldn’t stop thinking about everything I should be doing. But I couldn’t move.
I sat on the couch with a cold cup of tea in my hands, staring out the window. I felt hollow.
Not sad. Not emotional. Just… empty.
And the scariest part? I was doing “everything right.”
Eating clean. Taking the adaptogens. Journaling. Sleeping (sort of).
But I still felt like I was climbing uphill with no end in sight.
That moment was when I realized:
This isn’t laziness. This is survival mode.
Burnout Isn’t Just Mental—It’s Physical
What I was experiencing was more than tiredness—it was a nervous system that didn’t know how to downshift.
I later learned this kind of deep, lingering exhaustion is often tied to dysregulated cortisol rhythms—where the body’s stress hormone is misfiring throughout the day. I’d feel wired at night, crash in the afternoon, and wake up groggy no matter how early I went to bed.
My sleep wasn’t restorative. My energy wasn’t steady. My moods felt unpredictable.
And here’s the truth most people miss:
You can’t fix this kind of burnout with a better bedtime routine or another productivity hack.
You have to go deeper.
What Helped Me Heal: Slowness, Safety, and a Cortisol Rhythm Test
Eventually, I took a cortisol rhythm test—a simple, at-home functional lab that mapped how my stress response was functioning across the day.
And suddenly, everything made sense.
My cortisol was high in the morning, which explained why getting out of bed felt impossible without having a panic attack.
It was high at night, which explained the racing thoughts and second wind before bed.
And it crashed hard mid-afternoon, just like I felt every day around 2 or 3 p.m.
This wasn’t all in my head. This was a physiological rhythm issue—my circadian rhythm had been knocked out of alignment by years of stress, overgiving, and pushing past my capacity.
That clarity changed everything.
It gave me permission to stop blaming myself…
And start giving my body what it truly needed: rhythm, regulation, and rest.
Rest Is Not a Reward
Rest isn’t something you have to earn.
It’s not a luxury or a sign of weakness.
Rest is a healing practice.
It’s one of the most powerful ways we can remind our nervous system: You’re safe now.
But real rest—deep, cellular rest—doesn’t come from just taking a nap or lighting a candle.
It comes from gently realigning your body’s internal rhythm.
It comes from working with your nervous system, not against it.
This is the heart of my healing journey.
And it’s now the heart of how I support others, too.
A Gentle Prompt for You
If any part of this story resonates with you, I want to offer you a simple, reflective question:
What part of you needs permission to rest today?
Not just sleep.
Not just pause.
But true rest.
Rest that softens your jaw. Calms your breath. Grounds you in your body.
Rest that feels like an exhale from the inside out.
A Blessing to Carry Into the Week
May this week be soft, slow, and sacred.
And may you remember—your body is not behind. It’s asking to be heard. And healing begins the moment you stop pushing and start listening.
Want to Explore This Deeper?
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start honoring your body’s needs with clarity and compassion, I’d love to walk with you.
Explore The Foundational Program – It includes functional cortisol rhythm testing, personalized nervous system support, and clear next steps for building a rhythm that heals.
Join The Garden – Our online community where rest is honored, nervous system tools are shared, and healing happens in connection.
You’re allowed to rest now.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
This entry-level program is designed to help you plant the first seeds of health. Ideal for those new to functional medicine or nervous system support, this program includes a comprehensive intake, a foundational functional lab test, and personalized guidance to begin addressing the root causes of stress, fatigue, and dysregulation.
Best for: First-time clients seeking clarity, direction, and a place to begin.
References:
Sleep and Circadian Regulation of Cortisol: A Short Review – PMC
Rest: A Health-Related Phenomenon and Concept in Caring Science – PMC
Diurnal Cortisol Test: What It's for and How It Works – Healthline
Cortisol on Circadian Rhythm and Its Effect on Cardiovascular System – PMC
New Study Explores the Transformative Power of Deep Rest – UCSF
Cortisol Test: What It Is, Purpose, and Results – Medical News Today
Nervous System Reset: 13 Effective Ways to Reset Your System
The Relationship Between Chronic Fatigue & Mitochondrial Health – IFM
Cortisol and Sleep: Can It Cause Insomnia? What Else? – Healthline
The Science of Deep Rest: A Gateway to Sustained Wellness – Psychology Today
What Is Nervous System Regulation & Why Is It Important? – Positive Psychology
Functional Medicine Guide to Adrenal Fatigue – Vitality Tulsa
The Association Between Circadian Rhythm of Cortisol and Shift Work – Frontiers in Public Health
The Functional Medicine Approach to Recovering from Burnout – Biodesign Wellness
Modified Cortisol Circadian Rhythm: The Hidden Toll of Night-Shift Work – MDPI
Why Rest and Recovery Is Essential for Athletes – UCHealth Today
Cortisol Test: Understanding High vs. Low Cortisol Levels – WebMD