There’s a funny kind of pressure we carry, especially women. It’s not just about showing up — it’s about showing up for everything, all the time. The full fridge, the work meeting, the birthday gift, the dental appointment, the perfectly packed lunchbox… and a full calendar to prove we’re doing enough.

But somewhere along the way, the definition of enough got skewed.

Productivity ≠ Worth (Even If You’ve Been Taught Otherwise)

Somehow we began to equate being “busy” with being “important”. Social media is filled with colour-coded schedules, 5am club reels and people announcing how back-to-back their day is — as if that’s the only sign they’re living it well.

But Science tells a different story. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that individuals who over-schedule themselves and constantly multitask report higher levels of anxiety, lower job satisfaction and increased emotional exhaustion. Shocker!

And here’s the real kicker? Their actual output wasn’t higher. In fact, those with regular breaks and more spacious days were not only happier — they were more creative and consistent in their work results.

In other words: doing more doesn’t necessarily mean doing better.

The Urge to Overfunction

As a woman over 40 (or 50) who’s worn multiple hats in my entire life, this hits home. You’ve been the organiser, the planner, the one who keeps things running — sometimes even when you’re running on empty.

There’s a name for this: emotional labour. And it’s often invisible.

It’s the mental load of remembering birthdays, organising the calendar, checking in on people’s feelings and making sure everyone else is okay… while rarely checking in on yourself.

And I’ll be honest: I used to think being constantly busy meant I was doing something right. Until my sleep faltered, my patience ran dry, my digestion was off and my energy kept crashing around 4pm.

But there is proof that when you do less, your nervous system starts to regulate. Your cortisol (stress hormone) levels balance. Your digestion improves. Your sleep gets deeper. You even crave fewer processed carbs, according to a 2021 study in Nutrients — simply because your body isn’t in constant “fight or flight” mode.

And as a result of all this…you achieve MORE and BETTER!

Why Slowing Down Can Help You Speed Up

Let’s be clear: slowing down isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about doing what matters, better. With clarity. With energy. With results

This is where your healing happens. When you take a moment between tasks. When you breathe before jumping into the next obligation. When your day includes something unproductive on purpose — like sitting with a cup of tea and absolutely no guilt.

A study from the University of California found that just 10 minutes of intentional stillness per day reduced participants’ stress biomarkers and improved mood scores significantly over six weeks.

That’s less than the time it takes to scroll through your phone or reheat your coffee (again).

You Don’t Have to Earn Rest

This is the quiet revolution: understanding that your body doesn’t need to hit a limit before it gets care. You don’t need to collapse to justify a break. You don’t need to finish your list before you’re allowed to breathe.

In fact, the more you honour your limits, the more capacity you create, the better you lead, the clearer you think, the better you sleep and, surprisingly, the better results you get.

Because worth doesn’t live in your to-do list. It lives in the way you treat yourself when no one’s watching.

Want to Start Today? Here’s a Gentle Way In

Start with this simple mindset shift: “What is ONE thing that doesn’t need to be done today?”

Then, try leaving just 5 minutes between tasks. Don’t fill it. Let it be empty. Let your mind wander. Notice how your body feels when it’s not rushed.

Because You Can Feel Full — Even When Your Calendar Isn’t

We are not meant to be ON all the time. We are not meant to be booked every hour. Your value is not in your “limitless productivity”, but in your presence. In the actual achievements and results. Not just a busy, busy schedule.

So here’s your permission slip:
Do less. Feel more. Rest more. Be here. Achieve more

You (and your friend) need to stop glorifying busy. And follow me on Instagram @healthypaula_insta and share this post for wellness tips that don’t require perfection — just goals.