In a world that glorifies constant hustle, God commanded us in Exodus 20 to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. And here’s the beautiful truth: this gift of rest wasn’t just for ancient Israel, but for every single one of us. The Sabbath was made for man—a divine invitation to step away from our striving and find true renewal in Him.
This isn’t just a religious message; it’s about rest. Whether you’re a Christian, an atheist, agnostic, or follow another faith, the principle of taking a full day off can transform your life. Let me read the passage from the English Standard Version:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:8-11)
I’ve been a believer for many years, but honestly, I was always too busy to truly observe the Sabbath. That changed recently. For several weeks now, I’ve been intentional about it, and the difference is huge.
On my Sabbath—Sunday—I shut down completely. Around 5 p.m. on Saturday, I close my MacBook, put it in the office, and don’t touch it again until Monday. No work on the Mister Productivity business, and I keep chores to an absolute minimum (usually just the ones I forgot on Saturday—confession time).
What do I actually do? It’s all about rest—that powerful four-letter word that supercharges your productivity. I spend time hanging out with my wife. We often head to the backyard with our pups, read books, or just talk. We attend church, watch some TV, and relax without any stress about what’s next. We simply enjoy.
In our go-go-go culture, we feel like we always have to be doing something. But one of the ultimate productivity hacks is taking time off. Regardless of your beliefs, a full day of rest will serve you.
I don’t go on social media at all on Sunday. I might check texts or snap friends on Snapchat (no feeds), but that’s it. Minimal chores, maximum peace.
What else could you do on your day of rest? Here are some ideas that keep it light and life-giving:
- Take a slow, meandering walk in nature—maybe at your local park.
- Journal and reflect: What went right last week? What could improve? What do you want to focus on this week?
- Play a board game, do a puzzle, or have lighthearted fun with family or friends.
- Listen to uplifting music or a teaching that feeds your soul.
- Serve quietly: Call or FaceTime someone to check in, pray for them if that’s your thing.
And yes, napping is on the menu—guilt-free, restorative rest.
The benefits are real—mentally and physically.
Mentally, it lowers stress (you literally close the door on work for 24 hours), reduces anxiety, and boosts overall well-being. A 2025 study showed people who take a regular weekly rest day sleep better, feel less fatigued, and experience a neurological reset that guards against burnout.
Physically, your body gets a chance to recover—better sleep, less strain, and some research even suggests it could contribute to living longer. (I’m not a doctor, but if rest might help me live longer and it’s free, I’m in!)
If your job requires Sundays, pick Saturday, Wednesday, or whatever works. The key is one full day a week with your family—make it a thing.
As Mister Productivity, I can tell you: happy, healthy people are more productive. Healthy people get great sleep at night and take a real day off during the week.
If you’re in a super busy season right now, you need rest more than ever. I’m asking you with total sincerity: give serious thought to picking one day every week to do as little as possible.
Rest isn’t lazy—it’s wise. It’s how we honor God’s design and show up as our best selves the other six days.
What day could you set aside this week? Start small, trust the process, and watch how it changes everything.