Some love to be on the go constantly and think resting is stopping them from getting things done (pretty much me). On the other hand, some love to lollop onto the sofa and binge-watch a Netflix series for hours. Whether you're on one side or the other, one thing your body and mind need once in a while is a good rest. It's not viable or healthy to be on the go constantly. I know people will say, "Well, that's what sleep at night is for!" However, your body needs to take a five-minute break and rest before starting up again. Kind of like taking your lunch break at work, your body and mind need to relax and reenergise before you're off doing your next thing.
It's not just about resting physically and mentally; it's about resting other aspects of your life every now and then. In all, there are about seven areas of your life that you actually need to rest. Ok, I know that number is daunting, and you're probably wondering if you even have seven areas in your life that need looking after. But when I list those areas, you will see what I mean.
Here are the seven areas of resting periods you actually need to do in your life:
1) Physical rest
Let's start with one of the obvious ones. We all know we need physical rest daily. No physical rest = health issues. Your body needs to recover physically from various aspects, including work, exercise, and just life in general. Life can be physically challenging, so it's important to take time to give your whole body a little relaxation period.
Relaxing physically comes in many forms. You can do things such as taking a quick nap, stretching, deep breathing, yoga, or even lying down with your eyes closed for a few minutes.
2) Mental rest
This is just as vital as physical rest. I'm a true believer in mental health being just as important as physical health. Mental rest is so important to do daily to keep your mind sharp and not let any anxious or stressy thoughts creep in.
Some activities you can do to give your mind a rest is do a brain dump (writing all your thoughts on paper), journaling, practicing gratitude, meditating or breath work.
3) Emotional rest
Ok, this may sound like I'm delving into mental rest again, but there is a difference. Emotional rest combines a mix of mental health and feelings. It involves saying no, not people pleasing, setting boundaries and getting stuff out in the open if needed.
Some ways to do this include talking about how you're feeling to a trusted friend or family member, forgiving yourself for previous mistakes or seeking therapy if necessary.
4) Creative rest
This is one I need to practice more often, but I have difficulty doing so. As a freelancer and being self-employed, I feel I can't just switch off, as not only do I need to find and do work to earn money, but I always feel there's something that always needs doing.
If you're like me and feel yourself empathising with my situation, there's a way to practice a creative rest. They include getting out in nature, visiting a museum and/or art gallery or taking time away from your phone.
5) Sensory rest
Sensory rest involves reducing sensory input to counteract the overstimulation from things like screens, noise and activity. Overstimulation is an experience caused by too much mental activity and sensory input. Things like loud noises, bright lights, potent smells and big crowds are key factors that cause overstimulation.
Ways to practice sensory rest are to put your phone away (particularly an hour or so before bedtime), turn off notifications, use noise-cancelling headphones or listen to relaxing nature sounds.
6) Social rest
Managing social energy and socialising is not only good for your mental health, but also for your physical health. Sometimes we make plans with friends or family, and sometimes we don't feel up to it when the time comes. It's important to manage your socialising so you don't become tired of being in social situations altogether.
Things like saying no to plans when you're not feeling up to it, spending alone time, not overscheduling and even ensuring you're spending time with positive people when you do socialise.
7) Spiritual rest
I'm not the most spiritual person you'll meet, but many are. Spiritual rest allows you to nourish and practice your spirituality and ensures you find your inner peace.
Examples of spiritual rest involve going to your place of worship, practicing gratitude, volunteering and doing reflective practices like journaling.
Practicing resting and taking time for yourself is key.
It doesn't have to take up an awful lot of your time, and you don't have to do all of these ideas in one go. But it's about reflecting what your body and mind need. You know your own body and mind better than anyone, so you ideally know what is best for you. What activity may work for me may not work for you, and vice versa.
It's just finding those few spare minutes and making time to rest. You'll know what your body and mind are crying out for.
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