My son has a Zen calligraphy over his bed that says, "Doing Nothing Is Something." He’s a middle schooler who sleeps a lot, fantasizes about baseball, and chats for hours about “nothing” with friends.

Intentional rest can improve health, focus, and emotional balance, making “doing nothing” a valuable part of well-being.

Life is full. Our calendars are jam-packed, our to-do lists are never-ending, and many of us are running on empty. We move through our days on autopilot, hopping from one responsibility to the next, ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Alli Kushner is a writer covering work, leadership and parenthood. Six months after having my first child, I found myself on ...