India, Oct. 30 -- I n a world where success comes measured in metrics - followers, funding, fame - slowing down can feel like falling behind. The chase for the next win has turned hustle into habit and burnout into a badge of honour. But how much ambition is too much, and when does drive turn into drain? Even the strongest minds and bodies have limits. Some, like Chinese influencer Tom Jia, are rejecting the grind altogether with the "lying flat" philosophy, taking it easy and stepping out of the rat race. But for most, raised to equate worth with output, pausing feels impossible. Experts say it's time to redefine what healthy "The yardstick is simple," says Pulkit Sharma, clinical psychologist and author. He adds, "If ambition gives you inner satisfaction, and you can balance work, recreation and rest, even enjoy stillness, that's healthy. But if you're constantly rushing from one task to another and measuring progress by how others see you, that's a red flag." Life and executive coach Dr Krishna Athal adds, "Hustle should be cyclical, not a permanent climate. The trap begins when hustle becomes identity. I see high achievers who mistake anxiety for ambition. The loop tightens with constant comparison, LinkedIn wins, Instagram reels, family WhatsApp groups benchmarking cousins." His rule of thumb: "If your achievements stop increasing your capacity for presence, your hustle isn't building you, it's using you." There are clear indicators when the grind becomes toxic. "If not achieving or not being admired creates a vacuum in your life, that's dangerous. Achievement should never be a drug," says Sharma. Dr Athal agrees: "When you need to justify rest or feel guilty for downtime, that's bondage, not ambition." He uses three reflection questions with clients: What did you protect?; what did you postpone?; what did you pretend not to know? "If the answers cluster around sleep, family, or health, you're hostage," he says and adds, "The antidote isn't a vacation, it's boundaries." His "sacred three" approach prioritises one aspect of health, one relationship, and one creative practice: "Cross the line if you must, but know how to walk back." From the "lying flat" movement to minimalist living trends, the internet celebrates both extremes, total luxury and total withdrawal. But experts say the real balance lies between the two. "Hustling has become an aesthetic," says Athal. He adds, "But your grind doesn't need to be public or glamorous. The danger isn't laziness, it's over-commitment and under-recovery." Sharma adds a final caution: "When you take advice online, question the motive, and whether the person practises what they preach." Because in the end, the healthiest hustle is the one that leaves you room to breathe....