We Redefined Work. Now We Need to Redefine Rest—and Play

In modern life, we talk about tiredness as if it's automatically a problem, something unnatural. And there are loads of solutions marketed to combat this. Of course, if someone experiences chronic fatigue that isn't resolving itself, that needs special attention. But our need to "cure tiredness" comes from a culture where we're supposed to be endlessly productive.

Our routines don't necessarily sync up with the natural world and the hibernatory impulses of winter. We have this whole culture about curing tiredness—even with supposedly natural means like vitamins or particular drinks—but what if we honoured tiredness as a signal to rest and normalised that without framing it as unwellness?