India, Oct. 17 -- In a world where constant productivity is celebrated, taking time to rest can sometimes leave us feeling guilty. With corporate leaders like Narayana Murthy advocating a 70 to 72-hour workweek, the pressure to keep working can make it difficult to switch off, even when we need a break. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Anitha Bharathan, clinical psychologist at Cadabams Hospitals, explains why our brains struggle to switch off and why we may feel guilty about resting.

According to Dr Bharathan, rest can trigger guilt when a person begins to associate their self-worth with productivity rather than their overall well-being. If someone has grown up hearing that being busy is a sign of success, or that taking a break is...