The Importance of Rest and Downtime for the Whole Family

At Intentional Household, we believe that running your home like an organization means understanding that your “team” — your family — can’t perform at their best without rest. But when most people hear “rest,” they automatically think “sleep.” While sleep is undeniably important, it's only one part of the equation. True rest includes moments to decompress, recharge emotionally, and reset mentally — and each family member, from toddlers to parents, has different needs when it comes to downtime.

In a world that prizes productivity and hustle, many families unintentionally schedule their weeks so tightly that rest becomes an afterthought. But building intentional rest into your routines is a powerful way to support mental health, strengthen relationships, and improve everyone's ability to show up as their best selves.