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Which rest combination do you need to wake up revitalized?
Each of us should get as much rest as we need to be refreshed and recharged for all the days of the week. But what is rest? And what type of rest do we really need?
When I think of rest, I usually think of sleep. Sleep is physical rest which is necessary for our health, growth, and well-being. The symptoms of not getting enough sleep are detrimental to our health. According to Sleep Foundation Org, symptoms of sleep deprivation include:
Slowed thinking
Reduced attention span
Worsened memory
Poor decision-making
Lack of energy
Mood changes
"When I am resting because my body is weak, I need to remember that I'm not wasting the day doing nothing. I am doing exactly what I need to do. I'm recovering." - Author Unknown
We know physical rest is essential to restore your body and mind. But there are different types of rest which are useful at different times. By understanding the seven different types identified here, you can help yourself to get the right combination of rest to get you energized, alert, and revitalized.
What type of rest are you in need of today?
Dr Saundra Dalton Smith author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity has come up with seven types of rest. Come explore what each type looks like in practice and how you can make small changes that will lead to a more restful life.
1. Physical Rest
Includes sleeping and napping. Six to eight hours of uninterrupted rest per night is the ideal. One thing I like to do to ensure restful sleep is to do my nighttime routine. It includes making a sleepy time herbal blend cup of tea, taking a shower, turning off every light, adjusting the temperature, and putting in my ear plugs.
2. Mental Rest
Is about cutting down on multi-tasking. It turns out the brain can only do one thing at a time. We think we are multitasking but in fact we are only changing our attention quickly. Lately, I am working on stopping the multitasking mentality and focusing on doing one thing at a time. Whenever I feel frazzled, I take a deep breath, sometimes I will reach out for my anxiety soother tincture, and focus on what is important and productive.
3. Sensory Rest
Make it a point to make time for peace and quiet. Set aside a time to turn off screens and maybe get outside in a natural space, or in a cozy corner to think and journal. It can also be about putting in some ear plugs and closing your eyes for a few moments just to get yourself centered and reset.
4. Creative Rest
Take some time to allow yourself to appreciate beauty in nature or near where you live. It can also be experiencing the creativity of others by going to a museum or art gallery. It turns out that doing/making art projects is creative work not creative rest. Creative rest helps to inspire you to be solve problems and challenges with creative and unexpected solutions.
5. Emotional Rest
Emotional Rest is about being authentic and accepting your feelings. It takes a lot of energy to express emotions you don't really feel. However, it may not be appropriate to discuss with your clients how bad business is going, or to discuss family issues at a work meeting. If this is happening turn to a trusted friend, family member, or confidant. It that won't work, get yourself a therapist, life coach, or mentor.
6. Spiritual Rest
Is about connecting to the sense of meaning and belonging to something greater than yourself. For some, it has to do with religion or faith. For others it is about being or feeling like an integral part of a community, cause, or work culture. Get centered and consider how you are contributing to the bigger picture and that will put your spirit to rest.
7. Social Rest
Is about spending quality time with people who nourish and uplift your energy. Take a look around and consider the people you spend time with, if they have expectations or bring you into a negative spiral you may need to take a focused break from them. Seek out the company of family, friends, or even a group you are a part of. You will know you experienced social rest when you feel energized, uplifted, and joyful.
Feeling refreshed and recharged is of utmost of importance to our physical and mental health. If you are feeling tired after a long night's sleep make sometime to find the key to your ideal rest combination.
