Navigating Competing Concerns and the Value of Real Rest
In a post-COVID world, organisational leaders are challenged to rethink the traditional notion of work-life balance. With a renewed focus on mental health, there is a growing realisation that life is a journey to be enjoyed throughout your time on earth, not just upon retirement, prompting individuals to question their values and priorities.?
This difference in focus has been particularly evident between different generations in the corporate space, where the older generation emphasises working hard to play hard, while the younger generation seeks meaning and purpose in work. Post-COVID, the understanding of ‘life is short’ has led to a desire for meaning and purpose for all generations and in all spaces of their lives.?
To understand rest, one must try to define what this actually means because it is far more doing "nothing" or very little.
Defining Rest?
Rest is a multi-faceted concept encompassing various dimensions, each catering to different aspects of an individual's well-being. Here are the different types of rest:
Physical Rest:
Physical rest involves allowing the body to recuperate and rejuvenate. This includes sleep, napping, and taking breaks during the day. Reference: Walker, M. (2017). Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. Scribner.
Mental Rest:
Mental rest involves centres on giving the mind a break from cognitive activities and stimuli. This can be achieved through meditation, mindfulness, or a mental break. Reference: Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. Delta.
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Spiritual Rest:
Spiritual rest involves activities that provide a sense of connection, purpose, and inner peace. This may include meditation, prayer, or engaging in activities that align with one's values. Reference: Emmons, R. A. (2000). Is Spirituality an Intelligence? Motivation, Cognition, and the Psychology of Ultimate Concern. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 10(1), 3-26.
Creative Rest:
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