D&D 5E When do you short rest?

[Plaguescarred]

The party takes short rest when they need to reload features or hit points, usually in safest way. Time wise, i remain vague unless time is of the essence or an interruption occur. Otherwise they complete the rest after a moment then move on and the ammount of time spent resting matters little.

 

[Baron Opal II]

What are the narrative situations you have found that a short rest works for you? When does it fit in naturally in your games?

For me a short rest doesn't take a specific amount of time so much as have specific requirements.
The characters require

• 5-10 minutes of minimal physical activity.
• No environmental damage.
• A "safe" environment where they are not actively evading or hiding pursuers.
• No active concentration spells.

So hiding in a room after kicking a proverbial hornet's nest can count if they bar the door, one PC forgoes the rest to be on watch, and so on. You need a period of time to catch your breath, commune / pray / gather vril, eat a power bar and drink some water, whatever. Then you're good to go.

Two short rests per day. One long rest per day. Certain circumstances my allow for a third short rest, but those are special and specific.