Rest To Recharge

Did you know there are 7 TYPES OF REST??So many of us are seeking more, and when it comes to time, work, performance, relationships, and hobbies… we want more energy.

September is often a month where we feel like everything starts up all at once. Work, school, business launches, new job roles. And I see it all the time, STRESS goes up - healthy habits and REST go down.

As a high-achiever, I'm sure you hold yourself to very high standards and have accomplished great things by riding that adrenaline wave of go, go, go. The question is though, at what cost?

With everything being a priority, is this really supporting your focus, your energy, and your work/ life harmony?

You might have heard the words… in order to speed up, we must slow down.

Just like an arrow: it must be pulled back, aimed, and released to hit the target/ goal. So how are you gaining this energy to be released and hit your goal?

We need to understand the importance of rest & restoration. As human beings, we need to also learn to prioritize it.?

We will turn the house upside down, and scramble in a frenzy to find our phone charger. Yet we don’t prioritize OUR mind-body, health, and energy in the same way.

If we feel exhausted, sleep is the first thing that comes to mind. Though what if we are sleeping 7-8 hours straight and still are feeling exhaustion or fatigue? (you might want to see your doctor and evaluate if this persists)?

I'm curious, did you know that there are actually 7 TYPES OF REST?

Let’s take a look at each of these and you might be surprised at one type that you have previously overseen.

PHYSICAL Rest:

This can stem from a lack of sleep or if you are feeling fatigued, you might be pushing your body too hard. Your body communicates this through aches & pains as symptoms. There are two components of physical rest, passive & active.

How to support this aspect of rest:

Passive:?

• 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night.
• A power nap of at least 20min.

Active:

• Go for a massage.
• Stretch, or practice yoga/ yin yoga.?
• Use a standing desk/ and switch to sitting in a supportive ergonomic chair.

MENTAL Rest:

This is one I hear from many of my clients, racing thoughts, lack of focus, difficulty concentrating, and struggling with memory. And this is also often a sign of stress, and symptoms I became aware of after my burnout, unfortunately.?

How to support this aspect of rest:

• Write down your to-do list with 3 things (you can add more when they are done).
• Make a checklist for travel, packing, or groceries.
• Create an evening ritual 2-3 hours before bedtime.
• Take a break from problem-solving, and set an end-of-workday boundary.

SOCIAL Rest:

This is about evaluating your relationships, and the energy from these people. It can be family, close friends, work colleagues, etc. How do you truly feel after you have spent time with them? Are you drained, or have you gained energy? This is equally important for introverts & extroverts. Take some time to reflect on the relationships in your life.

How to support this aspect of rest:

• Reflect on the different relationships in your life.
• Spend more time with people who give you energy and inspire you.
• Spend less time with people who steal your energy, drain, or question you.
• Introverts especially, set a boundary and block out time to be alone.

EMOTIONAL Rest:

This occurs when you carry a lot of emotions and feel like you can’t be authentic in sharing them. We might have tendencies of “people pleasing”, or feel like we don’t want to burden friends, family, co-workers with our true feelings, and keep things bottled up.

I worked in the service industry (hospitality) for a few years. An example of this was always smiling despite unpleasant guests.

How to support this aspect of rest:

• Spend time with people you can share vulnerably with and be authentic around.
• Grounding practices, connecting to your authentic self.
• Seek a private support group that works in your industry.
• Speak with a therapist to release emotional labor.

SPIRITUAL Rest:

This is an important part of something bigger than yourself. Regardless of your belief system… we all want to feel belonging. Are you living in alignment with what is meaningful to you?

How to support this aspect of rest:

• Community or volunteer work.
• Working at a job that aligns with your values and feels purpose driven.
• Participating in faith-based activities, spiritual/ energy ceremonies, and retreats that align with your beliefs.
• Paying it forward to humanity.

CREATIVE Rest:

This is one that often goes hand-in-hand with innovation. For instance when you are struggling with problem-solving, facing challenges, or coming up with new and exciting ideas. Perhaps you have been part of several emergency meetings at work concerning a layoff. You can appreciate beauty in any form, whether natural or human-created.

How to support this aspect of rest:

Natural beauty:

• Take in a sunrise or sunset.
• Go for a walk in nature.
• Go for a swim in the ocean or lake.

Human-created:

• Visit a museum or art festival.
• Look at a photography book.
• Engage with inspiring music, documentaries, etc.

SENSORY Rest:

This includes what we see, hear, feel, taste, and touch. The sensory input around you can be conscious or subconscious. We want to watch Netflix, with a phone in our hand, whilst trying to write an email. Multitasking and putting ourselves in environments that are overstimulating can wear and tear on us.

How to support this aspect of rest:

• Work in a quiet area, and leave coffee shops for the weekend.
• Turn off notifications- sounds and visual alerts.
• Limit video meetings, or turn off the video for your next Zoom meeting.
• Set boundaries and unplug in the evening, so your body gets a chance to wind down. embracing a relaxing ambiance (soothing music, candles, lavender oil).

Lean into curiosity when it comes to these 7 TYPES OF REST. Check in with yourself... what do you need most right now, and start with 1-2 of these. You don’t want to tackle them all at once.?

Over time you can create daily, or weekly habits and practices that include these 7 types of rest.

………..

Now…

Hello Healthy Eats:

As summer is ending, this is often where depending on what country we live in, our food habits change too. Just as different produce comes into season. One of them is Broccoli right now and it is my favorite!

If I had to chose only one thing I could eat for the rest of my life... it would be Broccoli. I stir fry it lightly in coconut oil and water, adding a dash of soy sauce, grated fresh ginger, chili oil, and finish with some sesame seeds on top. I dare you to try it.

SPAGHETTI WITH RED & GREEN PESTO

Serves 4?

500g spaghetti (gluten-free)?

1 onion?

2 carrots?

1 tbsp red pesto?

1 tbsp green pesto?

1 feta cheese (packet)?

2 tbsp olive oil?

2 tbsp tomato paste?

2 tsp dried basil?

1 tsp of honey

? lemon?

Salt & pepper?

.......

Boil water, add salt, and a splash of olive oil.?

Add 500g of pasta, and boil for 10-13 minutes.

Saute the onion & grated carrots together until soft and golden.?

Save 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining.?

Do not rinse.?

Put the pasta back in the pot and add 1 or 2 cups of pasta water.?

Add the chopped feta cheese, and let it melt through.

Place back on the stove on low heat.?

Add carrots, onion, red & green pesto, and tomato paste and mix.?

Add spices, a little honey, a splash of olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice.?

Taste... and ENJOY!

………

Energy is something to get curious about.?

Ask yourself a few questions each day and then honor these needs… what kind of exhaustion am I feeling, and what type of rest do I need? How can I lean on foundational habits that give me energy?

Self-awareness is essential if you want to embody work/ life harmony. Remember to charge your battery, and pour into your cup before giving to others.

IN ORDER TO SPEED UP, WE MUST SLOW DOWN.

When I’m not actively creating “Sustainable Success” newsletter, or resting to integrate work/ life harmony, I help creators & leaders reduce stress, prevent burnout and embody SUSTAINABLE success.

I am opening up two 1:1 coaching spaces in September.

If you want to gain energy, presence, and stress less, send me a DM with “ENERGETIC EMBODIMENT” and I will share details of the program with you.?

To learn more about Burnout Prevention and Workplace Wellness training, email me at [email protected]

High-achievers high five* Here's to YOUR REST!!?

In wellness,

Rebecca

#wellnessbyrebecca ?

Follow this hashtag for more stress management insights & burnout prevention tips.