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.
Understanding Different Rest Needs
Every member of your family has different energy rhythms and ways they prefer to unwind. Recognizing and respecting these differences is the first step in creating a household that supports rest.
Toddlers & Young Kids need regular naps and quiet playtime, especially after social or high-stimulation activities. Their bodies are growing fast, and their nervous systems get overwhelmed quickly. Downtime can look like cuddling on the couch, playing with sensory toys, or listening to music while lying down.
School-Aged Children often crave space after a long day at school, even if they’re extroverts. After-school downtime might mean reading in their room, building with LEGO, or simply zoning out without being asked questions right away.
Teenagers may sleep more or stay up later than others in the family. They need both alone time to process their emotions and structured time away from screens. Respect their need to decompress on their terms — it might be journaling, long showers, or listening to music in a dark room.
Adults juggle parenting, work, relationships, and home responsibilities. Many adults only associate rest with sleep or “doing nothing,” but true rest can also include activities that feel restorative: a walk alone, a podcast in the bath, or even saying “no” to social obligations to protect your time.
Types of Rest to Consider
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest, identifies seven types of rest: physical, mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social, and spiritual. In a household context, this means:
Physical Rest: Sleep, naps, or even lying down with eyes closed for 10 minutes.
Mental Rest: Time away from planning, decision-making, and multitasking — such as journaling or doing puzzles.
Emotional Rest: Space to feel and express your emotions, like talking to a trusted friend or crying in a safe environment.
Sensory Rest: Reducing noise, screens, and clutter — think quiet bedrooms, low lighting, and silence in the car.
Creative Rest: Being inspired by nature, art, music, or simply daydreaming without interruption.
Social Rest: Taking breaks from people who drain your energy or making intentional time with those who energize you.
Spiritual Rest: Connecting with something bigger than yourself — meditation, prayer, or reflection.
Building Rest into Your Family Schedule
To support your family’s rest, start by auditing your current schedule. Ask:
Is every hour spoken for?
Do we schedule margin between activities?
When do we feel most drained during the week?
Are we expecting our kids to go from activity to activity without downtime?
Once you know the pressure points, create buffers and boundaries:
Protect Unstructured Time: Block off “nothing” time on evenings or weekends. Label it as family rest time and let everyone choose their own low-key activity.
Rotate Rest Opportunities: If one parent handles bedtime while the other does dishes, alternate nights so both get a turn to decompress.
Model Rest: When kids see adults choosing rest — reading, lying down, stepping outside for air — it normalizes taking care of your energy.
Talk About It: Make rest a regular topic. “What helped you feel rested today?” or “Do you need a break?” can be part of dinner conversation.
Final Thoughts
Rest is not a reward — it’s a requirement. Building a household that honours the need for downtime helps everyone feel more balanced, connected, and prepared for life’s demands. Whether it's a toddler needing a nap, a teen needing silence, or a parent needing solitude, when you structure rest into your family's week with intention, you create a more harmonious and resilient home.
Make space for rest. Not just because you’re tired — but because you deserve to feel restored.
