Ep #64 - Why Sitting Still Feels Like Torture (It's Not Your Fault)

The Working Mums Podcast

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to truly switch off, even when you finally have a moment to yourself? That constant whirring of your mind, the guilt that creeps in, the sudden urge to just check one more thing off your list?
What I've discovered after years of coaching many people now is that this isn't simply a time management issue—it's actually neurobiological. Your brain and body have become addicted to the state of overwhelm. Drawing from fascinating research by Dr. Joe Dispenza, we learn that the cells of our bodies literally become dependent on the neurochemicals produced by our most frequent emotions. If you're constantly rushing and anxious, your primitive brain essentially thinks, "Well, we're not dead, so this must be working!" This creates a cycle where stillness feels deeply uncomfortable.
The most amazing news? You're not broken. You're simply not practiced at resting. When uncomfortable emotions surface during moments of stillness—guilt, restlessness, inadequacy—it's not evidence that you should get back to being busy. It's actually clear proof that you need more rest, not less. Even more compelling is the emerging research showing that rest periods are when our brains cement learning and when our bodies heal from both physical and emotional stress.
In this episode, I share three practical tips to develop your "rest muscle": scheduling dedicated rest time like you would an important meeting (starting with just 5-10 minutes), naming the uncomfortable emotions that arise during stillness to reduce their power, and creating simple rituals that signal to your brain it's safe to stop. These practices have transformed my clients' relationship with rest and productivity.
What could you accomplish if your brain were truly rested? How might your relationships improve if you weren't constantly operating from a place of depletion? Try just one 10-minute rest this week, and let me know how it affects you. Your future self will thank you for developing this essential skill that so few of us have been taught.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube with Captions - https://www.youtube.com/@TheWorkingMumsLifeCoach
If you'd like to have a chat about how I can help you further, please don't hesitate to click here & book a time with me, I'd love to meet you.
You can also follow me on IG @NickyBevan_LifeCoach

Chapters

1. Embracing Spring's Beauty (00:00:00)

2. Why You Can't Switch Off (00:03:45)

3. The Addiction to Overwhelm (00:06:13)

4. Rest is Essential for Healing (00:08:19)

5. Three Practical Tips for Resting (00:10:12)

6. Not Lazy, Just Healing (00:17:20)