The 7 Kinds of Rest You Need to Actually Feel Rejuvenated

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1: Physical Rest

This is a rest from the physical activities that fatigue us. Sleep, relaxation, and napping fall under the category of physical rest. Paradoxically, so does "active" physical rest (as much as it may sound like an oxymoron). Active physical rest refers to light, restorative activities, such as yoga, stretching, or massages.

2: Mental Rest

Sleep is helpful, but never feels restorative enough. Relying on coffee to get you through the day may work in the short-run, but in the long-run further perpetuates racing thoughts, worries, or mental processing. To assist with mental rest, Dalton-Smith encourages short breaks throughout the work day, or journaling before bedtime.

3: Sensory Rest

We live in a world of constant stimulation: screens, conversations, lights, music, pets, children, etc. Dalton-Smith discusses the concept of intentional moments of sensory deprivation to help recharge ourselves from being over-stimulated. In my own practice, I often advise my clients to allow at least 45 minutes of no screen time before bed. Another helpful exercise is something called "Five senses grounding". Five senses grounding allows us to focus on one sense at a time and become present and grounded within it.

4: Emotional Rest

Emotional rest allows us the space to be authentic. If someone asks you how you’re doing after recognizing you are visibly upset, and you respond with, "fine," such a suppression of emotions places added internal pressure on you. Instead, we can allow ourselves to be authentic, stating, “I’m actually really frustrated with __.” This release and authenticity allows our emotional circuit to feel more rested. Emotional rest also means surrounding ourselves with others who help provide emotional peace.

5: Social Rest

Understanding whether you are an introvert, or an extrovert is important. Do you gain energy from others, or do you feel drained after spending time with others? Understanding the limits of our "social battery" can help us realize when we need to recharge. This is a crucial conversation to have with your partner, as people have different thresholds of sociability. One partner may be ready to leave the party three hours in, while the second partner is just getting started.

6: Creative Rest

For those of us working in creative fields, creative rest is an absolute must. How often do we struggle with writer’s block, creative fatigue, or burnout from brainstorming or problem-solving? One way to achieve creative rest is to surround yourself with inspiration while simultaneously taking the pressure off to have to 'do’ something with it.

7: Spiritual Rest

Spiritual rest means connecting on a deeper level with something greater than ourselves. This can mean adding prayer, meditation, or purpose to our lives. I often encourage my clients to find a sense of community through groups or organizations that create acceptance and intention. This can be through a church, a volunteer program, community outreach, or even nature retreats.

8: Cellular/Systemic Rest

Cellular/systemic rest is rest of the whole body system from an internal level. What we put into our bodies matters. Processed foods, junk foods, or high-fat/high-sugar foods are extremely difficult for our bodies to digest. Much of the energy we produce goes into the digestion of these foods, which leaves us feeling fatigued, tired, or lethargic. Giving our body cellular/systemic rest means incorporating foods that are healthy, easy to digest, and provide restorative, oxidative stress protection. Further, being mindful of caffeine consumption to give our adrenals rest is equally as important."

Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!

Reflection:

What kind of rest do you feel like you need to work on the most?

#Rest #Relaxation #Stress