The Healing Power of Rest And Doing Less: Slowing Down is Essential for Trauma Recovery

When it comes to healing from trauma, many people feel an overwhelming urge to “fix” themselves and get through it. The initial reaction is often to do more—to read every book, attend every workshop, and analyze every moment of their past in an effort to move beyond it. While education and active self-reflection have their place in making sense of what happened, one of the most underrated aspects of healing is the exact opposite: resting, doing less, and slowing down.

Trauma and the Nervous System: Why We Need Rest

Trauma leaves a deep imprint on our nervous system. When we experience trauma, our body’s fight-or-flight response becomes activated to protect us. In the moment, this response is life-saving. But when trauma is unresolved, our nervous system can get stuck in a heightened state of alertness, even long after the danger has passed. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, hypervigilance, exhaustion, and a sense of being constantly "on edge."

In this state, the body’s ability to rest and repair is compromised. We may find it hard to sleep, concentrate, or simply relax. Over time, this chronic stress wears us down, making it harder for us to heal and thrive. That’s why incorporating intentional rest and activities that promote a sense of safety in the body is such a vital part of trauma recovery.

The Rest Revolution: Doing Less to Heal More

For many of us, the idea of rest can feel counterintuitive. In order to get a specific result we are told we must work hard, put more effort, and push through. But healing from trauma isn’t about goal accomplishment and striving; it’s about safety and allowing.

Rest doesn’t mean we’re avoiding or neglecting our healing. On the contrary, rest provides the foundation for our body and mind to process, integrate, and repair.

Without rest, we’re more likely to stay stuck in old patterns of reactivity, continually responding to life from a place of fight-or-flight rather than calm and choice.

Ways to Cultivate Rest and Safety in the Body

Practice Slow Deep Breathing

• Slow, intentional breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and relaxation. Try inhaling for a count of four, holding for four, and exhaling for six.

Engage in Restorative Activities

• Activities like gentle movement, walking, or simply lying down in a quiet space can help signal to your body that it’s safe to relax.

Create a Restful Environment

• Surround yourself with things that feel soothing and comforting, like soft blankets, calming music, or dim lighting. Small adjustments can make a big difference in helping your body feel safe.

Embrace "Doing Nothing"

• Give yourself permission to spend time without a to-do list. Sit in the sunlight, stare at the ceiling, or just let your mind wander. It’s okay to pause.

Build a Rest Ritual

• Set aside a specific time each day for rest, whether it’s a 10-minute break to close your eyes or an hour-long bath. Consistency helps reinforce safety in your nervous system.

The Value of Rest in Trauma Recovery

Rest allows us to step out of the constant "doing" mode and into a state of "being." When we slow down, our nervous system has a chance to recalibrate. It’s in this state of safety and relaxation that true healing can happen. Rest isn’t laziness or avoidance; it’s an active and necessary part of the healing process.

By giving ourselves permission to slow down, we also create space to reconnect with our true selves. We’re no longer reacting from a place of old wounds but responding with intention, presence, and authenticity. Slowing down helps us move beyond simply surviving to truly thriving.

Remember

If you’re in the process of trauma recovery, consider this your invitation to rest. To do less. To give your body and mind the space they need to feel safe and heal. Rest is not just a break; it’s a powerful act of self-care and self-compassion.

True healing isn’t about how much you can accomplish but how deeply you can allow yourself to feel, rest, and just be.

Sometimes, the most transformative work we can do is simply to stop, breathe, and let ourselves exist with no agenda.