rest cure

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rest′ cure′, 

1. Medicine a treatment for nervous disorders, consisting of a complete rest, usually combined with systematic diet, massage, etc., esp. at a spa or sanitorium.

• 1885–90

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rest-cure noun

1. a rest taken as part of a course of medical treatment, as for stress, anxiety, etc
2. an easy undemanding time or assignment: usually used with a negative: it's no rest-cure, I can assure you