“Rest is not a break from life.” Stress expert Elke Van Hoof on toxic productivity, recovery at work, and mental disconnection.
When was the last time you really let go? I mean, when did you completely switch off your brain?
Stress expert Elke Van Hoof observes that we’re always busy, and that’s not a sign of engagement. It’s a system that leaves no room for recovery. We live in a culture where rest requires an explanation, recovery is seen as an unnecessary luxury, and availability is equated with responsibility.
This idea emerged with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, but it doesn’t align with what our bodies need. Elke Van Hoof delves into the history of efficiency-oriented thinking, explains what toxic productivity is, and why simply getting more rest isn’t enough to address chronic overload. She clearly distinguishes between fatigue after exertion and exhaustion caused by a pattern that just keeps going on and on.
