In healthcare, we often talk about prevention as though it’s a checklist: screenings, vaccinations, diet, exercise. These are vital, of course, but there’s another form of prevention that is just as important, and far too often ignored: rest.

Rest is more than downtime. It’s also a biological necessity. It allows the body to repair itself at the cellular level, strengthens the immune system, helps regulate blood pressure, and even lowers inflammation. Neurologically, rest consolidates memory, sharpens focus, and balances mood. In short, it’s one of the most effective, low-cost preventative measures we have.

Yet, culturally, we’ve built systems that dismiss rest. Productivity is celebrated; stillness is suspect. In medicine, long shifts and overwork are almost worn as badges of honor. But that comes at a cost… to clinicians who face exhaustion and burnout, and to patients who miss out on care from professionals who are rested, present, and fully human.

It’s time we shift the narrative: rest is not laziness. Rest is medicine. And prevention should include supporting patients, caregivers, and clinicians in accessing it.

A healthier system is one that embraces rest not as indulgence, but as integral to healing and prevention!