7 Types of Rest for Sustainable Success
- Soda Kuczkowski
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
We wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. It’s become the unspoken proof of our ambition in the era of Hustle Culture— the more tired we are, the more successful we must be.
But according to sleep coach Soda Kuczkowski, that mindset isn’t just unhealthy; it’s unsustainable.
“We’ve normalized restlessness,” she says. “If it takes someone an hour or two to fall asleep, they don’t think much of it. But it manifests as fatigue, brain fog, and poor focus. We try to lead and create from an empty cup.”
Women, especially those balancing leadership, caregiving, and entrepreneurship, have internalized the idea that overworking equals worth. We keep adding — tasks, commitments, responsibilities — but rarely subtract. The result is a culture of chronic fatigue disguised as productivity.
🌙 The New Era of Aligned Entrepreneurship Values Rest
The truth is simple: rest is a leadership strategy.
Sleep doesn’t slow you down; it sharpens you. It improves memory, creativity, and decision-making — the very traits that fuel sustainable success. Soda calls it “the new hustle.” Because when you sleep well, you don’t just recover — you realign.
Rest allows leaders to shift from survival mode to strategic thinking. It helps entrepreneurs connect dots, strengthen relationships, and innovate from a place of clarity rather than burnout.
🧘🏾♀️ The Seven Types of Rest
True rest isn’t only about sleeping longer. It’s about recovering across multiple dimensions. Kuczkowski identifies seven types of rest that high-performing women often overlook:
Physical Rest – Sleep, naps, yoga, or even floating therapy.
Mental Rest – Time away from problem-solving and decision fatigue.
Emotional Rest – Releasing the pressure to please or perform.
Sensory Rest – Reducing screen time and overstimulation.
Social Rest – Spending time with people who replenish you.
Spiritual Rest – Reconnecting to your purpose and faith.
Creative Rest – Making space for wonder, inspiration, and play.
We’ve been conditioned to think one good night’s sleep fixes everything. But replenishing your energy requires a full spectrum of rest — not just closing your eyes, but quieting your mind.
How to Reclaim Your Rhythm
Here’s where science meets lifestyle. Soda's top sleep prescription is light regulation.
Ten minutes of natural sunlight in the morning can help your body produce serotonin, which converts into melatonin — the hormone that governs your sleep-wake cycle.
At night, limit artificial blue light and replace it with amber tones to cue your body for rest. Turn off screens an hour before bed. And if you can, let your schedule mirror the sun — waking, eating, and winding down at consistent times.
Even small shifts, like using Do Not Disturb mode after 8 p.m. or setting boundaries around late-night work emails, signal to your body (and your business) that peace is a priority.
Subscribe to The Doze Podcast on Apple Podcasts Spotify or iHeart Radio
Boundaries Protect Your Peace
Leadership starts with boundaries — not burnout.
Kuczkowski reminds us that “rest and sleep are not the same thing.” Rest is the bridge between stress and recovery. It’s the moment you say no to chaos and yes to yourself.
As empowerment strategist Maryann Rivera-Dannert puts it:
“If it’s not on my calendar by Sunday, it’s a 'no' for the week.”
That kind of discipline isn’t about rigidity; it’s about self-respect.
The Wake-Up Call
When we deny ourselves rest, the consequences are profound.
Sleep deprivation impairs focus, increases stress hormones, weakens immunity, and even affects emotional regulation. Over time, the body will force rest through illness, burnout, or breakdown.
Sleep Coach Soda's message is clear: You can’t buy your way to better sleep. No supplement or smart mattress replaces the basics — light, boundaries, and intention.
“If you don’t make time for wellness,” she says, “you’ll make time for illness.”
🎧 Wanna Learn More?
This article was inspired by a live conversation between Soda Kuczkowski and Maryann Rivera-Dannert, recorded at the Aligned Entrepreneur Pod-A-Thon inside WXXI Studio A.
Watch the replay of The Doze Podcast / HealingHer Within crossover episode LIVE and learn how to rest smarter, lead stronger, and make sleep your new ROI.
🎥 Catch the Live Replay on YouTube → https://youtu.be/Dwc2v28C5Ek
Listen to the full episode on The Doze Podcast → JazzCastPros.com/the-doze
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