Active v Passive Rest

By Steve Wize | November 8, 2025

When people think of “rest” we usually lump it all into one giant category of “time off.”

The reality is, though, that almost all of us have come back from a vacation feeling more tired than when we left. The expression we often hear is needing a “vacation from vacation.”

And the truth is, the feeling isn’t wrong.

The problem is that rest is actually two-fold. There’s Active Rest and Passive Rest. Both activities are necessary to truly feel rested.

Active Rest is roller coasters, dinners with family, outings with friends, entertaining live shows, etc.

Passive Rest is time spent in pajamas watching Netflix, napping, and reading.

Both forms of rest are necessary to feel truly rested.

So the next time you’re planning a vacation or “time off” be sure to plan enough time for both active and passive rest as both are essential to fully recharge one’s body, mind, and spirit.

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