The 7 Types of Rest: More Than Just Sleep
The 7 Types of Rest: More Than Just Sleep
This is required, as I think it's because everyone who's ever gotten a full night's sleep and still woke up feeling exhausted understands intuitively that sleep alone is not enough.
The 7 types of rest, how to know if you need each one, and how to get it if you do.
1) Physical Rest
"Even the most trained athlete learns periodic rest improves the outcome of their physical endurance activities."
"There are both passive and active forms of physical rest."
Signs you need it:
? You lack physical energy to do things
? You get sick often
? You have muscle pain and soreness
? You depend on caffeine, energy bars, and sugar
How to get it:
? Passive: Have a sleep routine, get 7+ hours each night, and nap when needed
? Active: Stretch throughout the day and don't sit too long - add any movement; breathing exercises, soaking baths, massage, yoga, etc.
2) Mental Rest
"Mental fatigue results when overactivity of the brain leads to the brain cells becoming exhausted."
Signs you need it:
? Don't have mental energy for things
? Get irritated or frustrated when thinking about your day
? Feel a mental fog
? Snap at people for insignificant things
How to get it:
? Block times for deep work without distractions
? Listen to music
? Meditate
3) Emotional Rest
"You experience emotional rest when you no longer feel the need to perform or meet external expectations."
Signs you need it:
? You focus on failure and flaws in yourself
? You have self-doubt or insecurity
? You apologize for who you are
? You beat yourself up over small mistakes
? You're excessively worried or anxious
? You're overwhelmed by other people's drama
How to get it:
? Avoid comparing yourself to others
? Remove emotional drains, like toxic relationships
? Take intentional emotional risks: be vulnerable and authentic
? Try therapy
4) Spiritual Rest
· "Offers rest to both the mind and the consciousness."
· "The hidden pain of a broken faith, a wounded spirit, and a hemorrhaging heart."
Signs you need it:
? Lack motivation
? Feel helpless, hopeless, or trapped
? Feel decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment
How to get it:
? Practice gratitude daily
? Volunteer or seek out purpose-driven tasks
? Practice your religion
5) Social Rest
· "Social rest may sound like a cry for solitude, but it is actually the opposite."
· "Relationships are where we make deposits when we are full and withdraw from when we feel empty."
Signs you need it:
? You feel alone
? Are detached from family and friends
? Feel drained by the people you're with
? Find it hard to maintain close relationships
? Prefer online to face-to-face relationships
How to get it:
? Get one-on-one time with someone who fills you up
? Get space from anyone who drains you
? Join a group or club of like-minded people
6) Sensory Rest
· "When our senses continue receiving incoming information without a break, the nervous system becomes too congested to process the information appropriately."
Signs you need it:
? Feel eye pressure, fatigue, or strain
? Sensitive to loud sounds
? Can't smell or taste as well
How to get it:
? Take time away from all devices
? Find what bothers you and eliminate it: dim the lights, lower the music
? Briefly close your eyes
7) Creative Rest
· "Allowing white space in your life and giving room for your creativity to show up."
Signs you need it:
? There's no free time in your day
? You struggle brainstorming
? You can't see the awe in nature
? You feel unfulfilled and unappreciated at work
How to get it:
? Break up focused work sessions with extended breaks: 90-120 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
? Take true vacations that recharge you
? Go outside and walk aimlessly or garden or watch the birds
? Do creative things when the body wants to - usually beginning of day or at night - not in the afternoon
? Read, dance, go to shows
I hope you can use something in this to have a more restful Sunday, and recharge for the week ahead.
Thank you for reading,