In a world that glorifies busyness, stillness has become a radical act. We track our steps, monitor our heart rates, count our calories, and schedule our workouts like appointments we can’t afford to miss. But here’s the truth most fitness routines overlook: sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do for your body and mind is nothing at all.

This realisation hit me hardest after becoming a mother. Postpartum life brought a constant hum of tasks — feed the baby, clean the bottles, fold the laundry, answer the messages.

Even in the rare quiet moments, when chocolate sonshine was resting or the twins, my chocolate babies were finally playing contentedly, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I should be doing something.

The house was never done, my body never felt caught up, and rest — real rest — felt almost indulgent.

But that “tasky” rhythm comes at a cost. The constant doing keeps our nervous system in overdrive, tricking the body into thinking it’s in survival mode long after the urgency has passed.

And for mothers especially, that chronic hum of activity can drown out the signals our bodies send us — hunger, fatigue, tension, the need for stillness.

Stillness is not laziness. It’s recovery.

When we stop moving for the sake of movement and start listening instead, something shifts.

The heart rate slows. The breath deepens. Muscles that have been holding the weight of responsibility begin to soften.

Stillness helps the body recalibrate and the mind to catch up with the life it’s living.

But there’s another kind of strength that stillness builds — the mental kind. In those quiet pauses, uncomfortable as they may be, we face ourselves.

We notice the thoughts we’ve been too busy to hear, the emotions we’ve been too productive to feel.

It’s not always peaceful at first — but with practice, stillness becomes a sanctuary instead of a struggle.

Try this: once a day, resist the urge to fill the silence. When the baby naps or the children are occupied, don’t reach for a to-do list.

Sit. Breathe. Let your body unclench. Let your mind rest. It might feel unnatural at first, but your body will thank you for the permission to stop doing and start being.

You’ll find that this “nothing” isn’t empty at all — it’s restorative. It’s where strength rebuilds, creativity returns, and peace quietly settles in.

Workouts become more intentional, meals more mindful, and sleep more healing. You begin to move through your days not out of exhaustion, but out of balance.

So yes, move your body. Eat well. Push your limits. But also — be still.

Because sometimes, the strongest, healthiest version of you isn’t the one getting everything done. It’s the one who knows when to stop, breathe, and simply be.

Happy Wednesday fitfam. As usual, remain unapologetic about your entire fitness and wellness journey, stay true to yourself and always be honest with your efforts.

Be still.

• Dre Hinds is a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict” with more than 20 years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating out of HindsSight Fitness and Wellness at the Berkeley Cultural Centre. Contact her at absbydre@gmail.com or on 599-6683. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under @Absbydre