I'm not an early bird at all. Ideally, on Saturday morning I'd

"I'm not an early bird at all. Ideally, on Saturday morning I'd allow myself a lovely lie-in. 10:45 would be just right." These words from Shilpa Shetty reveal a deep appreciation for the balance between work and rest, the quiet luxury of choosing time for oneself amidst the demands of daily life. Shetty's playful admission speaks to a broader truth—that in the rush of our busy lives, rest is not a luxury but a necessity for our well-being. In the quiet of the morning, when the world is still and we have the space to reflect, we reconnect with ourselves, allowing our minds and bodies to recharge.

In the ancient world, the importance of rest was well understood, and many cultures recognized the sacred value of slowing down and recharging. The Greeks celebrated the balance between work and leisure, encapsulated in the philosophy of Eudaimonia—a state of flourishing achieved through living a life of virtue and balance. For the Greeks, this meant allowing time for both intellectual pursuits and relaxation, understanding that true happiness came not just from striving but from finding moments of peace and contentment. Shetty’s ideal Saturday morning, lying in until 10:45, reflects this ancient wisdom: true vitality is sustained by rest, just as much as by action.

Consider the example of Aristotle, whose daily life was carefully structured to include time for reflection and study, as well as moments of rest. Even the great philosophers and thinkers of the past understood that the mind requires periods of stillness to generate new ideas and gain insight. Aristotle’s habits reveal that rest was not a mere pause from work, but a necessary component of mental clarity. In this way, Shetty’s desire for a quiet, slow morning reflects an understanding that rest is integral to both creativity and well-being.

The Romans, too, valued rest, especially among their soldiers. Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist and philosopher, observed the importance of regular rest and relaxation to maintain strength and mental clarity, even for those who lived in the most rigorous of conditions. In his writings, he speaks of the balance between hard work and regeneration, asserting that a well-rested soldier was a far more effective one. Shetty’s lie-in speaks to this timeless principle—that rest is not merely a passive state, but an active contributor to personal growth and performance.

In the modern world, we often find ourselves caught in the frenzy of productivity, where rest is seen as indulgent or unnecessary. Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, once remarked, “You can’t be a great leader without resting.” Sandberg’s words remind us that rest is essential to maintaining clarity and focus, just as Shetty values a break from the demands of her busy life. It is through these moments of rest—like a lie-in on a quiet Saturday morning—that we regain the strength to engage more fully with the world around us.

The lesson in Shetty's words is simple yet profound: in a world that constantly demands more, we must create space for rest and recovery. The ancients knew that balance is the key to a fulfilled life. Shetty’s ideal of waking up to a leisurely morning is not a sign of laziness, but an acknowledgment of the essential need to restore our energy and reconnect with our true selves. We must stop viewing rest as a luxury and start seeing it as a vital practice, one that sustains not just our bodies, but our minds and spirits.

In our own lives, let us take a page from Shetty’s morning ritual. Whether we are engaged in the demands of work, family, or our creative pursuits, we must recognize that rest is not an obstacle but a necessary part of the cycle of productivity and growth. Let us prioritize time for ourselves, whether through sleep, relaxation, or simply slowing down. In this way, we can be both productive and sustained, finding that perfect balance between action and rest, and creating lives that are rich in both purpose and peace.