The Decibel

The case for prioritizing rest in the age of burnout

9 snips
Aug 1, 2025
Zosia Bielski, a time use reporter for The Globe and Mail, explores Canada’s troubling relationship with rest. She highlights that Canadians average just 17 minutes a day of resting, contributing to high stress levels for many. Zosia advocates for redefining rest as essential, not earned, and shares personal journeys toward prioritizing well-being. The discussion emphasizes the importance of boundaries, communal rejuvenation, and fresh perspectives on work-life balance, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.
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ANECDOTE

Old Family Work-Rest Boundaries

  • Zosia Bielski recalls her family's clear separation between work and rest, with off hours truly their own time.
  • Holidays were sacred and about family experience, unlike today's work-encroached vacations.
INSIGHT

Protestant Work Ethic's Rest Impact

  • Canadian rest is influenced by a strong Protestant work ethic implying rest is lazy unless productive.
  • Rest is often seen as time wasted that should be spent improving ourselves, revealing deep cultural attitudes.
INSIGHT

Minimal Rest vs Screen Time

  • Canadians spend just 17 minutes daily on resting or relaxing and 18 minutes on active leisure.
  • This contrasts with nearly 1 hour 42 minutes spent on screens, which is passive and rarely restorative.
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