Stress + Rest = Growth

Stress and rest: we need both. Too much stress and too little rest can lead to burn out. Too much rest and too little stress can lead to stagnation.

We see this in sports. Both undertraining and overtraining are problems that athletes want to avoid, because both of them keep them performing at their peak.

The same things is true in other areas of life. Undergoing stress—going beyond our comfort zone—actually creates opportunities for growth. But—and this is crucial—that growth can only be realized if there’s also sufficient time for rest and recuperation. It’s in those down times that the growth actually takes place.

Stress and rest are not enemies. They actually complement each other quite nicely. The key is finding an appropriate rhythm between the two.