Somewhere along the line, “rest” got a bad rap.
We started treating it like a luxury instead of a necessity—like something we have to earn only after we’ve checked every box, responded to every email, folded every fitted sheet (a heroic act in itself, and one that I still have not mastered in my mid-30s).
But if you’ve been feeling worn thin, disconnected, or just flat-out exhausted, this is your invitation to do less.
Not out of laziness—but out of wisdom.
The Womb: Your Second Heart
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the uterus is often referred to as the "second heart.” It holds not just physical potential for life, but emotional depth, creativity, and energetic reserve.
When we’re constantly in motion—overcommitting, overthinking, overproducing—we drain the resources the womb relies on: Yin, Blood, and Jing (essence).
That can show up as painful periods, irregular cycles, fertility struggles, burnout, or just feeling like we’re running on fumes.
Rest Is Medicine (Really)
TCM doesn’t treat rest as optional. It’s preventive care. It’s a form of nourishment.
Just like soup for your digestion or herbs for your Liver Qi, doing less is a therapeutic strategy for protecting your deepest reserves.
In fact, we often prescribe rest in clinical practice—especially around menstruation, postpartum, and fertility preparation.
It’s not indulgent. It’s intelligent.
But How Do You Rest in Real Life?
Let’s be honest—rest doesn’t always look like a spa day.
Sometimes it’s saying “no” to one more commitment. Sometimes it’s canceling plans without guilt. Sometimes it’s choosing a walk over a workout, or silence over a screen.
Here are a few practical ways to honor your womb with rest:
Create a low-effort ritual during your period (a warm bath, a candle-lit journaling session, a slow cup of ginger tea).
Allow yourself to nap or lie down when you're tired—especially in the luteal phase (the 1–2 weeks before your period).
Block off “nothing time” in your calendar, even if it’s just 20 minutes. You’ll be shocked at how quickly it restores you. Label that block as whatever you need to in order to ensure it remains "nothing time"!
Less Doing, More Being
There is profound power in pausing.
You don’t have to do more to be more.
And in fact, the more you respect your own cycles and energy, the more your body feels safe to soften, heal, and thrive.
So here's your gentle permission slip: rest, deeply and unapologetically.
Your womb is listening. And she thanks you.
Cheers to a slower, softer, more intentional life—rooted in wisdom, not hustle.