Gordon MacDonald’s Ordering Your Private World, one of my all-time favorite books, insightfully reveals how we can inadvertently trap ourselves in a "golden cage." I first encountered this impactful work in the 1980s, yet its wisdom remains relevant today. It opened my eyes to the subtle ways in which our relentless pursuit of accomplishments and achievements can cause us to neglect our inner selves.

While not all stress is detrimental—indeed, a certain kind of pressure often fuels the best in executives, performers, athletes, and students—we must be wary of the stress that diminishes rather than enhances our capabilities. Nurturing our “inner person” is crucial, prompting us to examine whether we are truly pursuing the right goals in life. Our aspirations should extend beyond professional achievements to encompass the strengthening of our physical, mental, and, most importantly, spiritual well-being. Allocating time for recharging, introspection, and meditation can clear our minds, fostering sharper perspectives, enhanced creativity, and more effective approaches to our work and other endeavors. Without these moments of pause, we risk an endless pursuit that culminates in burnout, potentially leading us to echo Solomon’s lament: “all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

Engaging in “quiet time” allows us to rest our minds, bodies, and souls, providing space to reflect on our current lives and our direction. Ultimately, this practice helps prevent burnout. Personally, I began a prayer journal in 1985, while others have found solace in gratitude or stress-reliever journals. I strive to incorporate quiet time into my routine, whether in the morning or, if that's not possible, in the evening—though there are inevitably days when I miss it.

The benefits of journaling have been scientifically validated over the past decades. Research indicates significant positive impacts on physical health, including a reduction in sick days, an increased pain threshold, alleviated symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, a strengthened immune response, and an improved ability to cope with illness, among other advantages. Beyond these physical benefits, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being are also notably enhanced (source: verywellmind.com, October 26, 2023). According to the same source, quiet time dedicated to journaling can release not only stress but also pent-up emotions, providing a sense of relief similar to a good massage or other physical or meditative techniques like progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery. The subject of journaling itself warrants a separate discussion, which I may explore in future writing.

However, if journaling doesn't appeal to you, simply engaging in quiet activities such as walking, gardening, or listening to relaxing music is equally beneficial, provided you dedicate time to recharge regularly, ideally daily, not just during busy periods. You can begin with as little as 10 to 15 minutes a day and gradually increase it if desired and if time permits—it doesn't need to be a significant time commitment. The key is to detach your mind from your personal and professional activities and allow your mind, body, and soul to relax.

Growing research underscores that intentional downtime or quiet time is not a luxury but a necessity for boosting productivity (source: innovativehumancapital.com, May 7, 2024). Our private lives significantly influence our performance in our professional lives; these two are intrinsically linked. By nurturing our private lives, we pave the way for a more productive and fulfilling professional life. While there may be times when we need to prioritize one over the other, with private or family life often taking precedence, the ideal scenario is to cultivate a healthy “work-life balance.”

In an age of physical and digital exhaustion, prioritizing the care of our bodies, and especially our emotional and spiritual well-being, is paramount. If we dedicate numerous hours to work and other activities, surely allocating even 10–15 or 30 minutes to rest our minds and bodies is a worthwhile investment. This practice will not only strengthen our physical health but also cultivate a happier and more contented existence.

(Wilma Miranda is a Managing Partner of Inventor, Miranda & Associates, CPAs and a member of the Board of Directors of KPS Outsourcing, Inc. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions.)