Sacred Pause: The Power of Rest, Ritual, and Reflection for OTs

Barbara Ingram-Rice, OT. LMT, CLT

Abstract

Occupational therapists are skilled at creating restorative routines for their clients, but often neglect their own need for rest and recovery. This article explores the concept of the “sacred pause”—a purposeful practice of rest, ritual, and reflection—as a powerful strategy for therapist wellbeing. Drawing from clinical experience, spiritual practice, and emerging literature, it invites OTs to reclaim space for themselves as an extension of ethical, sustainable care. A guided relaxation script is included to help integrate these concepts into daily life.

Occupational therapists are champions of balance, yet so often we find ourselves teetering on the edge of burnout. We advocate for sensory-friendly environments, restorative sleep, and meaningful routines—for everyone but ourselves. Caught in the crosscurrents of documentation, productivity, and caregiving (both personal and professional), it becomes easy to default into over-functioning and under-recovering. In recent years, I’ve found myself leaning into the concept of what I call the sacred pause—a purposeful practice of rest, ritual, and reflection that allows me to refill my cup, reconnect to my purpose, and reengage from a place of wholeness.

Rest: A Clinical and Spiritual Imperative

Rest is more than just sleep; it’s a physiological need and a spiritual necessity. We know from research that sleep deprivation affects cognitive processing, emotional regulation, and immune function (Stewart & Arora, 2019). Yet even outside of clinical metrics, we feel it—when we start resenting our clients, skipping meals, or losing our joy. As professionals trained to observe patterns and routines, we owe it to ourselves to examine our own. Are our lives structured to include moments of intentional rest? Not just collapse-at-the-end-of-the-day fatigue, but the kind of rest that restores: quiet mornings, deep breathing, time in nature, or a mid-shift walk without our phones. When we reclaim rest as sacred, we move it from a “reward” to a requirement.

Ritual: Anchors in the Chaos

Rituals don’t have to be religious to be meaningful. Lighting a candle before a documentation session. Starting the workday with a cup of tea and a word of gratitude. Ending the week by mentally releasing the energy we’ve carried for others. These small acts give us rhythm and a sense of control in environments that are often chaotic and unpredictable. Smith & Kleinman (2020) suggest that rituals in clinical practice serve to restore meaning, reduce emotional overload, and reaffirm the human connection. For OTs, rituals also provide a quiet space for recalibration—to move from doing back into being. And in that being, we find breath.

Reflection: Professional Growth with a Personal Lens

As occupational therapists, we routinely evaluate progress, adjust goals, and reflect on outcomes. But what about reflecting on our own patterns, behaviors, and wellbeing? Reflection doesn’t require a special journal or a retreat. It can be a 2-minute pause at the end of the day asking, “What drained me today? What gave me life?” Reflection offers insight, clarity, and often—grace. Horton & Snyder (2021) advocate for regular self-reflection as a form of professional self-care, reducing emotional fatigue and fostering resilience. Personally, I’ve found journaling to be my safe space for sorting through the messiness of serving others while still trying to care for myself. I’ve also used “one-line-a-day” journaling, gratitude lists, and even voice memos as ways to externalize what I’m carrying. Reflection helps us see ourselves not just as caregivers, but as humans in need of care.

Try It: A 3-Minute Sacred Pause

Below is a guided relaxation you can try during your next break—or use to close your workday. No equipment required. Find a comfortable seated position. Rest your hands gently in your lap. Let your eyes close, or soften your gaze. Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose… Hold it for a moment… And exhale gently through your mouth. As you breathe, feel the weight of your body supported by your chair… Allow your shoulders to soften… your jaw to release… your hands to relax. Now, bring your attention to this moment—this breath. You are not fixing, solving, or giving. You are simply being. With your next breath, silently say to yourself:

“I offer care to others… and I also offer care to myself.” Breathe again. “This pause is sacred. It restores me.” Take one final deep breath, and when you’re ready, slowly return to your day—more grounded, more centered, more whole.

Final Thoughts

Our profession is rooted in helping others live meaningful lives. But that work becomes unsustainable if we lose touch with meaning in our own. Sacred pauses aren’t indulgences—they are invitations to align our lives with the same holistic values we bring to the therapy space. As we continue to champion wellbeing for our clients, let us also model it for ourselves. May we find rest in the sacred, strength in the ritual, and resilience in the reflection.

References

Horton, S., & Snyder, M. (2021). Reflective practice as self-care for occupational therapists. *OT Practice, 26*(4), 15–18.

Pizzi, M. A., & Richards, L. G. (2017). Promoting health, well-being, and quality of life in occupational therapy: A commitment to a paradigm shift. *American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71*(4), 7104170010p1–7104170010p6. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.024075

Schure, M. B., Christopher, J., & Christopher, S. (2008). Mind–body medicine and the art of self-care: Teaching mindfulness to counseling students through yoga, meditation, and qigong. *Journal of Counseling & Development, 86*(1), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2008.tb00625.x

Smith, R. C., & Kleinman, A. (2020). The role of rituals in clinical care: Making meaning in medicine. *Medical Humanities, 46*(2), 88–92. https://doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2019-011728

Stewart, M. T., & Arora, V. M. (2019). Restorative practices for healthcare workers: Evidence-based strategies to reduce burnout. *Journal of Patient Safety, 15*(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1097/PTS.0000000000000494