The 7 Types Of Rest That Every Person Needs
Rest is obviously extremely important. Do we get enough rest? Probably not. Here are some ways to incorporate it into your daily routine by Saundra Dalton-Smith MD.
#1 – Physical Rest
Some examples of passive physical rest include sleeping and napping, while active physical rest means restorative activities such as yoga, stretching, and massage therapy that help improve the body’s circulation and flexibility.
#2 Mental Rest
Are you the person who when you lay down at night to sleep you frequently struggle to turn off your brain as everything from the past, present, and future fills your thoughts? And despite (hopefully) sleeping seven to eight hours, you wake up feeling as if you never went to bed. You have a mental rest deficit.
Here are some ideas on how to give yourself that mental rest: Schedule short breaks that occur every two hours throughout your workday; these breaks can remind you to slow down. You might also keep a notepad by the bed to jot down any nagging thoughts that would keep you awake.
#3 Sensory Rest
So many people are working back in the office now and when you’re not, you’re working from home on the computer. Not to mention we are on our phones all the time. This can cause our senses to feel overwhelmed. Something as simple as closing your eyes for a minute in the middle of the day, as well as unplugging from electronics at the end of every day can help tremendously. Blue light glasses and turn off your phone can also help.
#4 Creative Rest
Let’s the honest, most women – especially working moms have to use their brains for everything at all times. When you have to solve problems or brainstorm new ideas. We need more nature! Allowing yourself to take in the beauty of the outdoors — even if it’s at a local park or in your backyard. Not to mention Vitamin D on a sunny day. Also, creative rest can be enjoying the arts – aka – a concert!
#5 Emotional Rest
Do you have a hard time finding the time and space to freely express your feelings and cut back on people pleasing? Emotional rest also requires the courage to be authentic. An emotionally rested person can answer the question “How are you today?” with a truthful “I’m not okay” — and then go on to share some hard things that otherwise go unsaid.
It’s important to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Even if your interactions have to occur virtually, you can choose to engage more fully in them by turning on your camera and focusing on who you’re speaking to.
#6 Spiritual Rest
It’s a way to connect beyond physical and mental and feel purpose. To receive this, engage in something greater than yourself and add prayer, meditation, or community involvement to your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be going to church, there are many other ways to connect to a higher vibration that fits whatever your beliefs are and gives you that mental clarity so many of us need.
#7 Individual Rest
Are you the friend who everyone thinks is the nicest person they’ve ever met? The person everyone depends on, the one you’d call if you needed a favor because even if they don’t want to do it? You will give a reluctant “yes” rather than a truthful “no”. But when you are alone, you feel unappreciated. This is why it’s so important to set boundaries and take time for yourself to do what you love and enjoy. Have conversations with loved ones and say, you mean everything to me, but I also have to take care of my health too.
