Rest is not optional. Yet why is it so hard to take our own advice as mental health professionals?

Have you ever noticed how quick we are to tell our clients how important it is to slow down, set boundaries, and prioritize self-care? But when it comes to following our own advice… how often do we fall short?

If you’re anything like most therapists, you might find it hard to give yourself permission to pause. Slowing down, putting yourself first, and intentionally creating space for rest and restoration often takes a backseat to productivity, client needs, or the never-ending to-do list. But why?

Here’s the truth: when we aren’t well, our clients suffer too. We carry heavy emotional loads every day. The stories we hold are often gut-wrenching. The empathy, the emotional labor, the quiet presence we bring into each room—it all adds up. We sit with people during their darkest days, and that weight doesn’t disappear when the session ends.

Let’s be honest: no one books therapy because things are going great. Our work is beautiful and meaningful, but it’s also draining in ways that are easy to overlook until we hit the wall.

This past weekend, I took intentional time off and headed to the beach with my family. And for the first time in a long time, I was able to genuinely relax. It wasn’t accidental—I made it happen through a few intentional choices.

How I took My Own Advice

Personal Boundaries

I left my laptop at home. I turned off my email. That was hard (the email part especially), but it stopped my mind from spiraling down the “What if something’s happening at work?” trail.

Mindfulness

I practiced what I teach. I stayed in the moment. I paid attention to what I could hear, see, and feel around me. When my mind drifted to work or worry, I gently pulled it back to the present.

Trust

I left my business in trustworthy hands. My team is phenomenal—I say this often and I mean it. Knowing they had everything under control allowed me to truly let go. Do you feel that same sense of security when you step away?

Basic Needs

I slept. I ate real food. I didn’t stay up late scrolling. And yes, I don’t have little ones waking me up at 6 a.m.—but beyond that, I was intentional about honoring my body’s natural rhythm. That alone changed everything.

Because here’s the thing: rest and vacation are not the same thing. You can take time off and still return feeling depleted if you haven’t truly disconnected, replenished your energy, or cared for your basic needs. This time, I needed both—and I made sure I got them.

If you’re waiting for a “perfect time” to step away, it may never come. But protecting your peace, rest, and well-being is not a luxury—it’s stewardship. You were not created to constantly give without ever receiving. The work we do matters deeply, and so do we. Our healing presence comes at a cost—one that only rest can repay.

So, counselor, when’s your next break? And will it be one that actually restores you?