When we talk about resting and resetting to boost work performance, we often think it’s all about just getting more sleep or taking vacations. But it’s more than that. Actively resting means doing things that help your mind and body recharge in a meaningful way. This can be anything that makes you feel relaxed and happy, like reading, hiking, or spending time with friends and family. It’s important because when you feel good, you work better. You’re more focused, make smarter decisions, and stay calm under pressure.

Everyone has their own unique way to rest and reset. Some might find peace in quiet meditation, while others might feel refreshed after a fun game of soccer. The key is to find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your life. This helps you stay sharp and ready to tackle any challenge at work. Remember, taking time to rest isn’t lazy; it’s a smart way to ensure you can always do your best.

Active Rest Strategies: 17 Ways Top Executives Recharge

1. Running and Reading: Key to Executive Sharpness

Past spending time with my family, which is always first up, I do two specific things to ensure I am in optimal shape for work. The first is the obvious physical exercise. I jog and try to break 500 miles per year — enough cardio to keep my heart healthy and to work off stress.  Next up, I read challenging fiction books. Reading fiction has so many benefits, including developing empathy, improving critical thinking skills, and bolstering cognitive processes. I read almost every evening before sleep. Currently I’m powering through (pun intended) Richard Powers’ The Overstory.

Joseph Loria, Founder and CEO, RetentionCX

2. Nurture Houseplants for Balance

One of my favorite ways to relax and reset outside of work is spending time with my houseplants—especially my collection of rare plants. There’s something incredibly calming about nurturing these living, growing things, and it helps me find balance when work gets intense. Tending to my plants, speaking to them, and watching them thrive has become a kind of ritual for me. It gives me a sense of patience and mindfulness that directly impacts how I approach my work.

In fact, I’ve started incorporating this love for plants into my webinars and my Growth-to-Greatness framework. It’s a way to bring a little bit of life into my brand—literally! Just like plants need the right environment, care, and consistency to grow, the same is true for a business. I’ve woven that metaphor into how I coach my clients and run my business.

By introducing elements of growth and nurturing into my content and sessions, I’m able to connect with people on a deeper level. It’s more than just a fun hobby; it’s become a way to remind myself and my clients that growth takes time, care, and the right conditions. Plus, it’s a unique, personal touch that I’ve found resonates with people who are ready to invest in their own business growth. It’s been a refreshing way to add some personality to my brand and reinforce the message that growth is a process—not something that happens overnight.

Laura Rike, CEO, SimplyPintastic®

3. Daily Chunks: Read, Write, Walk, Collect, Connect

I also establish a “personal routine” as well as a “professional routine”. Each day, my personal routine includes reading a chapter from business book, a novel, and the Bible. I write, so I spend 15 minutes a day doing that. I walk 20 minutes daily. I spend 15 minutes each day on my hobby, coin collecting. By breaking it up into chunks, I can see steady progress. And most importantly, it’s spending time with my wife. 

Toby Reeves, Founder, IndyLogic Technologies

4. Play PC Games for Distraction

Nothing distracts me better than killing zombies in a post-apocalyptic world, exploring forbidden dungeons, or learning new spells. Games are great because they teleport my mind into a totally different setting. On top of that, I have to master skills, logic, and reactions in that new setting. This is a perfect example of the flow state, where you are focused on a challenging yet enjoyable task.

Computer games have been proven to positively impact cognitive functions and improve logic and reactions. They can enhance your abilities to calculate, solve tasks, and find creative solutions that can be applied anywhere, including your daily job.

Lucas Wyland, Founder, Steambase

5. Daily Exercise and Sunday Rest

I work out each morning Monday through Friday – that’s not exactly rest, but it is a break from work. 

Every evening, I read from a novel to my daughter as part of her bedtime routine. Since she just turned 11 years old, the time has come to start her down the LOTR path, yesterday we started The Hobbit. 

And, I rest on Sundays (no work) – I didn’t always stick to this approach early in my career, but I realized over time that the resting on Sundays is best for me.

Tom Millay, CEO, DemandJump

6. Practice Jiu-Jitsu for Resilience

I take part in jiu-jitsu as my mental and physical reset. The intense focus required on the mat forces a complete disconnect from work stressors. It’s impossible to worry about deadlines when you’re defending against a choke.

The sport’s problem-solving nature enhances my strategic thinking at work. Rolling with different partners constantly presents new challenges, improving adaptability and quick decision-making.

Tapping out regularly builds resilience and ego-management. This translates to better handling of workplace setbacks and criticism.

Physical exertion releases tension and boosts energy levels. This improved physical state carries over to increased productivity and focus during work hours.

The jiu-jitsu community provides a social outlet separate from professional circles, offering fresh perspectives and a break from industry talk.

Sam Bahreini, Founder & CEO, Konstellate

7. Daily Walks and Family Nights

I have gotten better in recent years of setting boundaries with certain hours reserved for family time and actually closing my computer. Since we all are working more at home this used to be much more challenging . During this time I try to give my undivided attention to my family – weather its cheering them on at sports practice or cooking dinner or doing homework with them or reading a story before bed. These family rituals are important to balance out my day.

I also try to leave the house every day even if its to walk down the driveway to the mailbox. The fresh air does something positive for me. 

Rachel Johnson, Fractional Marketing Executive and Growth Scaler

8. Capture Night-Sky Photography

The thing that helps me unwind is night-sky photography. Standing under a vast expanse of stars, away from the noise of everyday life, brings a sense of peace that’s hard to find elsewhere. The quiet moments spent adjusting my camera settings, waiting for the perfect shot, allow me to disconnect from work stress and reconnect with the natural world.

Going out into the night requires patience and attention to detail. The process of capturing celestial bodies, whether it’s the Milky Way stretching across the sky or a fleeting meteor, demands focus and immerses me completely in the present moment. It clears my mind and sparks creativity, which translates into fresh ideas when I return to work every time.

There’s also something humbling about contemplating the universe’s enormity. It puts daily challenges into perspective and reminds me of the bigger picture. A shift in mindset like this helps me approach problems at work with a calmer, more open attitude.

Mike Sadowski, Founder & CEO, Brand24

9. Dedicate Evenings to Games and Walks with Kids

At the end of each work day I take 2-3 hours where I give my undivided attention to my family. This usually involves playing some type of game with my kids, making dinner, taking a walk, or just relaxing after a busy day. I don’t allow myself to look at my phone for work messages, texts, or e-mails. This is how I flip the switch from my role as an employee to my role as a father without compromising my performance. Could I reply to an e-mail while helping my daughter with homework? Yes, but that wouldn’t optimize my performance at work nor at home so why not just wait. 

Casey Bolsega, Sr. Portfolio Manager, Intrepid

10. Take Daily Walks for Focus

Taking daily walks is one activity that helps calm my mind and reset my pattern for the new day. It is a simple way to clear my mind, get some fresh air, and step away from work stress. These walks give me a mental break, where I return to tasks with a clearer focus and more energy to carry out the tasks. Often, when I return, I find that I’m more creative. It also happens to be a great time to reflect on problems encountered since then, free from all the office distractions, so that I can confront problems differently.

Chris Yang, Marketing Manager, HARO Links Builder

11. Set Boundaries on Tech for Uninterrupted Time

I’m pretty careful about which apps I’ll allow on my tech devices. I don’t have a job where I can keep my email & messaging apps off my phone, but I definitely do not need my watch to buzz at me in the middle of dinner with my friends or during a riveting part of a Netflix documentary. If it’s super important someone will text me, but otherwise, Slack & Outlook are not allowed on my wrist! 

Robin Lanning, VP of Sales & Marketing, Tactive

12. Boost Productivity with Daily Non-Work Breaks

Rest isn’t just about sleep—it’s about intentional recovery. The quality of your work is directly tied to the quality of your downtime. Taking time to reset improves focus, creativity, and decision-making.

I block 30 minutes each day for non-work activities—read, meditate, or go for a walk. It’s a simple way to recharge and boost productivity.

Matt Hunckler, CEO, Powderkeg

13. Dive into Novels for Creativity

Who doesn’t love a good fiction read? For me, diving into novels is the perfect way to unwind after a busy day. It’s a fun escape that also boosts my creativity, which helps me solve problems at work in fresh ways.

The different stories and characters deepen my understanding of human emotions and interactions, making me more empathetic and better at connecting with others professionally.

Also, the imaginative worlds in fiction spark ideas that are super helpful in my role, so this hobby is both enjoyable and a big plus for my work life.

Stephen Boatman, Principal, Flat Fee Financial

14. Unplug Deep in the Woods for True Escape

Go out into the woods as FAR away as my little legs will take me, and completely unplug!!!

Steven Plappert, Co-Founder & CEO, Forecastr

15. Spend Time in Nature

Spending time in nature, whether it’s going for a hike, walking in a nearby park, or simply sitting by a lake, provides me with a much-needed break from the daily demands of running a business.

Nature has a unique way of calming the mind and reducing stress. The fresh air and beautiful surroundings allow me to clear my head and gain perspective on the challenges I face in my work. This time away from the hustle-and-bustle helps me return to my tasks with renewed energy and focus.

Additionally, being in nature often inspires creativity. Whether observing the tranquility of a sunset or the intricate details of a flower, these experiences spark new ideas and insights that I can apply to my business.

Moreover, this activity fosters a sense of mindfulness, allowing me to be present and appreciate the moment. Overall, spending time in nature helps me unwind and enhances my work performance by providing clarity and inspiration that I can carry back to my professional life.

Paul Jameson, Founder, Aura.life

16. Start Strong and End Calm with Daily Rituals

Routine, rituals and boundaries make power pauses a habit.  What I’ve discovered is how I start my day sets the tone for my whole day.  I reserve each money for meditation, mindfulness and movement.  And I end each workweek with 5 p.m. yoga.  Making it a habit makes it easier to sustain.

Karen Mangia, President & Chief Strategy Officer, The Engineered Innovation Group

17. Go Cycling for Mental Clarity

One thing I do outside of work is go cycling. It all started a few years ago when I needed a way to clear my head after long days filled with meetings, code reviews, and strategic planning. Being someone who’s always been into technology and efficiency, I found that cycling combines both in an unexpected way.

At first, it was just a casual way to unwind, but over time it became my main way to recharge. There’s something about the steady rhythm of pedaling, especially on longer rides, that helps me think more clearly. It’s almost as if the constant movement helps clear the mental clutter, allowing new ideas to pop up. Without even trying, I often come up with solutions to work-related challenges while I’m out on a ride.

On top of that, being outside—away from screens and the usual fast-paced tech environment—gives me a much-needed mental break. The fresh air and change of scenery really help reset my focus, so when I return to work, I feel more energized and clear-headed. Cycling keeps me balanced, and that balance ultimately makes me a stronger leader and problem-solver.

Paul DeMott, Chief Technology Officer, Helium SEO

Taking time to actively rest isn’t just a break from work; it’s a big part of doing great in your job. Whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends and family, finding what makes you feel relaxed and happy can help you perform better when it’s time to work. So, remember to give yourself permission to take a break and do what you enjoy. Your mind and body will thank you, and you’ll probably find that you come back to work with more energy and better ideas. What’s your favorite way to rest and reset? Try to do that this week and see how much better you feel!