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Research highlights why taking care of our mental wellbeing should be part of everyday life.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 15% of working-age adults have a mental disorder at any given time. WHO also reports that depression and anxiety contribute to approximately 12 billion lost working days every year, with an estimated global economic cost of around US$1 trillion annually, largely due to reduced productivity.

Research also suggests that short breaks during the working day can support wellbeing. A systematic review and meta-analysis involving 19 studies and 2,335 participants found that micro-breaks had small but statistically significant effects on reducing fatigue and increasing feelings of energy or vigour. However, the researchers did not find a significant overall improvement in performance, showing that breaks may support how people feel without necessarily making everyone more productive.

A separate systematic review of 64 studies found that factors such as occupational stress, shift work, and potentially prolonged working hours can negatively affect cognitive functioning. The researchers highlighted the importance of healthier work environments and the use of breaks as part of protecting cognitive wellbeing.

These findings remind us that mental rest is not simply about “doing nothing.” Creating opportunities to pause, recover, and manage mental load can be an important part of maintaining overall wellbeing.

What Is Mental Rest?

Mental rest is more than simply getting enough sleep.

Sleep gives the body and brain an opportunity to recover physically, while mental rest involves creating moments where you can step away from constant thinking, problem-solving and information processing.

It can mean taking a quiet break, spending time away from screens, enjoying a relaxing activity or simply allowing yourself to do nothing for a few moments.

Mental rest gives you space to pause rather than constantly move from one task to another.

Why Does Mental Rest Matter?

Our minds process information throughout the day. Work, conversations, notifications, decisions and responsibilities can all contribute to mental load.

Without sufficient opportunities to pause, it can become difficult to maintain focus and emotional balance.

Making time for mental rest can help you:

• Create space to slow down and reset
• Support better concentration
• Manage everyday stress more effectively
• Feel more present during daily activities
• Maintain a healthier balance between responsibilities and personal time

Mental rest is not about avoiding responsibilities. It is about giving yourself enough space to return to them with a clearer mind.

Signs That You May Need a Mental Break

Everyone experiences tiredness differently. Some common signs may include:

Difficulty concentrating
You may find it harder to stay focused on tasks that normally feel manageable.

Feeling overwhelmed by small things
Everyday situations may suddenly feel more demanding than usual.

Constant overthinking
Your mind may continue running even when you are trying to relax.

Lack of motivation
You may feel mentally drained and have little energy to start or complete tasks.

Difficulty switching off
Even during your free time, you may continue thinking about work, responsibilities or problems.

Recognising these signs can be a useful reminder to slow down and check in with yourself.