To work “out” is to expend energy, express capacity, to stimulate and to expand.
If there are adequate resources*, this stimulus is the stimulus for growth, change and adaptation.
To work “in” is to accumulate energy and to re-vitalise.
While the stimulus sparks the adaptation, the “working in,” or the restorative process facilitates the adaptation.
Working “out,” or the “expression” of energy is seen as a status upgrade. We talk about it as a culture, and rightly so – it’s fun, high energy and often exhilarating!
While this is the case, what is really important is the synergy between them. The balance.
“Working in” doesn’t need a specific title, it can be a walk, a day in nature, some qi gong, or meditation. But it also could be a number of other things.
When we over-emphasise “doing,” “producing” and “action,” it can feel like “working in” is a waste of time. Nothing is happening. Yet really, everything is happening, just on a far more subtle level.
*when there are not adequate resources, the stimulus can just be seen as stressful
