Why Rest and Repair Really Matter

As Seen in BC THE MAG

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By Stacie Rose

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We live in a time where productivity is valued so greatly. Sometimes at the expense of our health and wellbeing. Productivity garners more glory than rest. But how can we produce our best work or be our best selves if we are not feeling so great? If we were to put a ship in the water and expect it to perform well, handle the waves and various weather, provide smooth sailing and get us safely to shore, we would unquestionably maintain the vessel properly and treat it with extreme care. Many of us bite off way more than we can chew, burn the candle, the midnight oil, skimp on sleep, multi-task endlessly and expect an optimum outcome.

"My practice is the practice of non-practice." That means a lot. Give up all struggle. Allow yourself to be, to rest." The Buddha

SLEEP MATTERS

?According to experts' lack of sleep can lead to higher levels of stress, frustration, and even anxiety. Elizabeth Blake Zakarin, an assistant professor of psychology (in Psychiatry) and a clinical psychologist at the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders, has explained that, like our electronics need to be charged, sleep may recharge or reset the brain to optimize functioning."

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke asserts that sleep is as essential to survival as food and water. Without it, you cannot form or maintain the pathways in your brain that let you learn and create new memories, making it harder to concentrate. Sleep is also essential to several brain functions, including how nerve cells or neurons communicate with each other.?

STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Plainly stated, chronic stress puts health at risk. And since lack of sleep can increase your stress levels, making you feel less calm and resilient, you'll want to prioritize rest. Research has linked chronic stress to high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, headaches, muscle tension pain and heart disease. According to John Hopkins Medicine, depression and sleep problems are closely linked. People with insomnia may have a tenfold higher risk of developing depression than people who get a good night's sleep.

COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Sleep deprivation can also lead to diminished thinking and problem-solving skills, attention span, memory, patience, and ability to connect with friends and family, and can even impact physical health. A domino effect can occur when you take your eye off the ball and become exhausted. According to Dr Amen of the Amen Clinics, Sleep rejuvenates all the cells in your body, gives brain cells a chance to repair themselves, helps wash away toxins and activates neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate due to inactivity.

MIND BODY CONNECTION

Since physical and mental health are so closely entwined, a deficiency in the rest and repair department can negatively impact several systems, including our digestive, immune and nervous systems. According to Dr Amen, sleep deprivation has been associated with many other health risks, such as Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's Disease, Stroke, Psychosis, ADD and poor lifestyle choices.

According to the National Institute of Health, not getting enough quality sleep can also raise the risk of diseases and disorders ranging from heart disease and stroke to obesity and dementia. Dr Marishka Brown, a sleep expert at NIH, explains that healthy sleep encompasses three major things: the amount of sleep, the quality, and the adoption of a consistent sleep schedule.

MOOD FACTOR

?Lack of rest can also leave us feeling foggy, disoriented, agitated, moody and cranky like a toddler who has been teething all night. Ever feel that you are the victim of a doom loop that plays out in your brain because you can't think straight? This can happen when we fail to rest, recharge and reboot. Negative thoughts can lead to more negative thoughts about anything and everything because we cannot break the cycle when operating on fumes. That kind of spiraling is even more stressful and exhausting. Parents of newborns are often so sleep-deprived that they lash out at their partners like snapping turtles. The struggle is real, and the brain-frazzle due to lack of rest makes it hard to think straight and stay on your game. This is why new parents are often advised to sleep when the baby sleeps.

SOUND ADVICE

Perspective is everything. When it comes to wellness, intentions matter. The good news is that you can set meaningful intentions regarding rest and hold yourself accountable. Set the alarm on your phone an hour before you would like to turn in for the night. This gives you a window of winding down time. Shoot for half an hour earlier each night until you eventually reach your desired bedtime. Create a calming environment for rest. Make sure the room in cool and free of stressors. If you need time to wind down before resting, why not afford yourself microdoses of "me time" throughout the day so you feel more contented at night and ready for rest? You have the power to make meaningful changes.

"Our body and mind have the capacity to heal themselves if we allow them to rest. Stopping, calming, and resting are preconditions for healing. If we cannot stop, the course of our destruction will just continue."

Thich Nhat Hanh

MINDFULNESS?

Not all schedules are created equal, and sometimes, proper time for rest needs to be carved out and appropriately allocated. Ten minutes of mediation can be a game-changer. It allows your body and mind to cool down, regain composure, and escape the fight-or-flight frenzy that can lead to health concerns.

?Yoga can also create space within our minds and bodies that make us feel more at ease. Forest bathing or simply getting your butt into nature can help the parasympathetic nervous system do its magic. When we downregulate, focus on our breathing, and experience being in the moment, there is a type of reparative ----that happens and leaves us feeling more relaxed and regulated.

According to the Mayo Clinic, naps can help combat exhaustion. They offer many health benefits, such as relaxation, increased alertness, better moves, improved performance, quicker reaction time, better memory, and reduced fatigue. Napping too late in the day can interfere with nighttime sleep, so it's better to grab some shut eye earlier in the day. Making the naps short is also a good way to get some needed rest while avoiding grogginess, although young adults may benefit from longer naps.

Mindful eating is another surefire way to encourage sound sleep. Avoiding processed and fried foods, too much sugar, alcohol, and inflammatory foods is part of a healthy lifestyle that promotes better rest.

Creating clutter-free spaces is also a way to promote better rest. Consider soft pillows, soothing hues, quality bedding, a healthy mattress, air flow, house plants, and creating comforting nighttime rituals.

BONUS POINTS ?

Getting the rest and repair you need has other beautiful benefits besides keeping you healthy and energized throughout the year. Many people get their best ideas when rested with time to unwind. Often, people look and feel their best when they get sufficient sleep. This can boost confidence and increase joy, which is transferable to others. Whether it's beauty sleep you are after or wish to prioritize your wellbeing, the physical, mental, social and emotional benefits are endless! One of the most spectacular things about sleep is our ability to dream. When we rest and repair, we can fully realize those dreams—and in technicolor!

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