How I Found True Rest with an Anxious Mind

To read in Spanish click here.

It’s funny, I’ve always been a big advocate of rest and maintaining a healthy balance between productivity and downtime. But if I’m being honest, there are times when a part of me feels guilty for having a to-do list and choosing to “rest” instead of checking things off it. 

And yes, I put “rest” in quotation marks on purpose because in those moments, when I thought I was having a break, my anxious mind would remind me of things I needed to do around the house, friends I should take time to meet, activities I said I would do for myself, tasks I needed to finish for work, or even devoting my thoughts, energy, and time to people (and things) who drain me. In other words, while my body might have been doing nothing —in couch-potato mode watching Netflix— my mind was running a never-ending marathon. I wasn’t really resting — at least not in a restorative way.  

So, what does rest look like for the anxious mind? 

This might look different for everyone, but in my case, for starters, I bought a new mattress. Finally! I’ve struggled with sleep for the longest time, and while I know anxiety plays a big role in that, having an uncomfortable mattress hasn’t helped. Buying a new one is something I’ve been putting off forever, but I finally did it. It hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m hopeful this is the beginning of better, more restful nights. Fingers crossed. 

More recently, I took some vacation time from work — but instead of filling my days with big plans like I usually try to do, I gave myself permission to slow down. I’d already taken a big trip to Italy earlier this year (which you can read about here), so this time, I wanted to focus on refueling. 

I booked an airbnb in the countryside, away from the city buzz and I mostly stayed off  my phone: no news, limited social media, and minimal texts. I avoided planning (which is something I truly enjoy), practiced mindfulness around where I allowed my thoughts to wander (especially away from work, certain people, and pending tasks), and just let myself be. I won’t lie and say it wasn’t hard, and putting in the work, it’s putting your mind at work as well, but it was necessary for me. 

I also slept in a bit (which I never do — not even on weekends), stopped checking the time constantly (another thing I always do), and swapped to-do lists and noise for reading, writing, praying, and binge-watching shows that brought me comfort. I also left space for spontaneous short but sweet outings.

As an introvert, I do enjoy spending time with people closest to me, but I also deeply thrive on spending time by myself. On the other hand, as someone who lives with anxiety, my mind is my biggest battlefield. I’m still figuring out what truly works for me, but I have to say: those days were the most peaceful I’ve felt in a long time. They gave me clarity and reminded me of the kind of space I need to create more often — the kind that allows me to breathe, be still, and really rest.

Rest isn’t always about doing nothing — sometimes, it’s about choosing what not to carry for a while. It’s giving your mind the same permission you give your body: to slow down, to stop holding everything together, to just be. If you’re someone with an anxious mind, know this — rest is possible for you, too. It might look different. It might take some intentional effort. But it’s within reach. And you deserve it. Always. 💛