Photo by Kenneth Williams on Unsplash
“Rest is the most underused, chemical-free, safe and effective, alternative therapy available to us.” Saundra Dalton Smith, author of Sacred Rest.
When we think of rest, most people tend to think of sleeping; however rest is more than just sleeping. Rest is an essential part of our well-being. It’s about how we nourish ourselves as well as maintain our body, mind, and spiritual balance.
Rest is so crucial for our overall functioning. It should be considered a necessity, not a luxury. Rest is just as important as our diet and exercise. It not only restores and recalibrate our energy but also helps build our resilience to life’s daily stressors.
Everyone and every-body can benefit from slowing down and recharging our systems. Rest is a valuable maintenance tool that helps prevent burnout, regain our strength, and recharge our batteries.
THE SEVEN TYPES OF REST
PHYSICAL – Rest for the body includes sleeping, napping, doing yoga, stretching exercises, getting a massage, going for a walk, being still, and moving more gently and mindfully.
MENTAL – Taking regular short breaks from daily demands, learning to unplug, journalling to get rid of mental clutter, and practicing relaxation and meditation skills to calm the mind. Read a good book, watch a movie, listen to your favourite music.
EMOTIONAL – Rest by creating time and space for being able to process and express your true feelings, honouring your boundaries, earning to say no, practice self-care. Spend some time in nature, talk to a trusted friend or therapist.
SPIRITUAL – Rest for the soul includes doing things with a sense of meaning and purpose, connecting on a deeper level with something greater than us, a sense of belonging and community connection, volunteer work, prayer and meditation.
SENSORY – Rest for your senses by disconnecting from the constant bombardment of daily overstimulation; turn off social media and your phone, intentionally reducing the sensory input; do something you enjoy so you can calm the nervous system and reboot.
CREATIVE – Reawaken your sense of awe and wonder, take the pressure off of having to do something, make the time to explore new things and ideas, which in turn will help you get inspired and stay motivated, surround yourself with supportive people, play more often, and find your passions.
SOCIAL – Spend less time with people that drain your energy and more time nurturing important relationships; learn to spend time alone with yourself; make meaningful connections.
Make it a habit to incorporate these restful practices into your daily routines. Don’t wait until you are forced to rest, which can become more costly in more than one way. Make rest a priority and create the time to rest by scheduling it into your busy schedule.
And don’t feel guilty about resting; you deserve it.
Antoinette Giacobbe, M.A.
