Podcast Summary: How to Age Up – Episode: Best of “How To”: Rest

Podcast Information:

• Title: How to Age Up
• Host/Author: The Atlantic
• Description: The science around aging is expanding but are our cultural narratives keeping up?
• Episode: Best of “How To”: Rest
• Release Date: December 2, 2024

Introduction

In the episode titled "Best of 'How To': Rest," co-hosts Ian Bogost and Becca Rashid delve into the multifaceted concept of rest. Drawing from discussions in season five's "How To Keep Time," they explore how slowing down can significantly impact creativity, productivity, and overall well-being. The episode also features Alex Soojun Kim-Pong, a renowned author and rest enthusiast, who shares his insights on integrating rest into daily life.

The Concept of Rest

The conversation begins with Becca Rashid expressing a common dilemma:

“Even though I rest in the sense of going sideways and unconscious at night, I don't feel like I rest enough or that maybe that I don't rest properly.” [01:17]

Ian Bogost echoes this sentiment, highlighting the struggle to incorporate meaningful breaks amidst the demands of work and sleep:

“I feel like between sleep and work, those breaks that I need have never really been incorporated in my life.” [01:32]

Rest and Creativity

Alex Soojun Kim-Pong introduces the idea that rest is not merely a passive state but a catalyst for creativity. He explains how leisure activities allow the subconscious mind to process information, fostering innovative ideas:

“There are parts of their lives that influence creativity. And one of them is what people do with their leisure time or with that time.” [04:11]

He cites Charles Darwin as a prime example:

“Charles Darwin would work for a couple hours and then putter around in the garden, work some more and then go on a long walk.” [05:38]

This pattern demonstrates the integration of conscious problem-solving with unconscious cognitive processing, enhancing creative output.

Cultural Perceptions of Rest

Becca raises a critical point about the cultural narrative surrounding rest:

“We tend to treat rest as an indulgence and that doesn't seem right.” [09:12]

Ian adds that societal expectations often equate being busy with being productive, exacerbating feelings of burnout:

“The labor is going beyond just doing your job and completing tasks, but also upkeeping some of that image that you're constantly occupied.” [13:41]

Practical Strategies for Rest

Alex offers actionable strategies to reclaim personal time and enhance rest quality:

1. Optimize Meetings and Workflows:

   “Having better meeting discipline around the length of meetings, agendas, all that stuff.” [11:22]

2. Redesign the Workday:

   “Redesigning the workday to be more conscious about how you spend your time.” [11:22]

3. Manage Technology Use:

   “Setting up particular times of day when you're checking email, but staying off of it the rest of the time.” [11:22]

These approaches aim to minimize distractions and maximize focused, restorative work periods.

The Role of Sabbaticals

The discussion transitions to the significance of sabbaticals, differentiated from regular vacations:

“A sabbatical is a period of time where you take off and often go somewhere else physically, and you are either learning some new set of skills or working on some other professional development project.” [17:28]

Alex shares an inspiring example:

“Lin Manuel Miranda... took a vacation and started working on his next project, which led to the creation of Hamilton.” [19:02]

This illustrates how intentional time away can spark profound creative endeavors.

Flow State and Rest

Ian introduces the concept of "flow state"—a deep concentration that fosters confidence and productivity:

“That feeling of deep concentration that momentarily allows you to feel almost without a sense of time.” [26:25]

Becca expresses skepticism about the constant pursuit of flow:

“I'm not sure that people should expect to have the ability and the opportunity to operate their lives among clear goals and direct feedback.” [27:14]

Alex counters by highlighting accessible activities that can induce flow without excessive effort:

“Gardening is one terrific, highly localized example of something that is often deeply engaging.” [30:00]

Social Perceptions and Rest

The conversation touches on societal attitudes towards rest, particularly in American culture where laziness is stigmatized:

“Our aversion to laziness and the person who isn't working hard makes it harder to take rest seriously.” [30:24]

Alex observes a cultural shift post-pandemic, where the value of rest is being re-evaluated:

“After the pandemic... a space is opening up for thinking differently about the relationship between work and time and productivity.” [30:24]

Personal Practices for Rest

Alex shares his personal rest routines, emphasizing the importance of intentional downtime:

“I've become a big fan of naps in the afternoon rather than one more cup of coffee.” [31:51]

“Photography is an opportunity to observe the world in a more thoughtful, mindful way.” [31:51]

Ian reflects on integrating effortless rest activities:

“Watching flow state activities like building Legos with a three-year-old... gives a sense of being in the world.” [32:38]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with reflections on the necessity of redefining rest to include active, purposeful activities that rejuvenate both body and mind. By challenging cultural norms and adopting practical strategies, individuals can enhance their creative capacities and overall well-being.

Notable Quotes:

• “Recognizing rest as exercise and serious hobbies can be a source of greater restoration.” — Alex Soojun Kim-Pong [06:39]

• “The average knowledge worker loses about two hours a day to overly long meetings, to inefficiencies or distractions caused by technologies or poor processes.” — Alex Soojun Kim-Pong [11:08]

• “Rest at work feels so inappropriate in a way.” — Ian Bogost [10:37]

• “Understanding that rest helps us have more productive lives gives us permission to rest in ways that we might not otherwise.” — Alex Soojun Kim-Pong [16:33]

• “Flow is not something that you've got to travel to a mountaintop in order to find.” — Alex Soojun Kim-Pong [29:12]

This episode of "How to Age Up" offers a comprehensive exploration of rest, challenging listeners to rethink traditional notions and embrace more meaningful, restorative practices. By integrating expert insights and personal anecdotes, Ian Bogost and Becca Rashid provide valuable guidance for cultivating a balanced and creative life.