R&R: The 7 types of rest we all need
Rest and relax to maintain energy levels, improve mental wellbeing, and avoid burnout. Read on for tips on how to feel less tired
Text: Livvie B
Feeling tired? Rest and relaxation are a duo of words that we often associate with a special occasion such as a holiday abroad, a weekend of sleeping, or a spa treatment. Sadly, rest is not something we prioritise on a daily basis but it is vital for maintaining our emotional and mental health, maintaining energy levels and helping us to avoid burnout. What’s more, according to experts, how to feel less tired can be broken up into seven different types of rest.
Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician, work-life integration researcher and author of Sacred Rest, her book in which she unpicks how to unwind and how to feel less tired so you can keep your energy, happiness, creativity and relationships fresh and thriving amidst the never-ending demands of family, career, and everyday life.
Rest, Dr Saundra argues, cannot remain optimal. Her research highlights the difference between rest and sleep, and identifies seven different types of rest that we need to stop feeling tired — the best rest occurs when we are able to identify and replete the specific energy levels that we often deplete. Understanding this, she says, is the key to avoiding burnout and remaining productive. Here’s how to rest and relax properly to improve your mental wellbeing:
Physical rest: Physical rest, Dr Dalton-Smith tells us, can be either passive or active. Passive physical rest is when we are actually asleep whilst — somewhat counterintuitively — active physical rest is achieved when we’re taking part in an activity that restores the body, such as yoga, massage therapy, or stretching. Gentle, restorative movement helps to improve circulation, making the body feel rested if you’re feeling tired.
Mental rest: For every two hours staring at our screens, we should take a 10-minute tech break, says Dr Saundra. To really enhance our mental rest, and when time permits, she also recommends that we incorporate meditation and nature in order to truly take a break from social media and reconnect with ourselves and our physical surroundings for improved mental wellbeing.
Sensory rest: Bright office lights, constant screen time, and a backing track of music and traffic means our senses are often overwhelmed by multiple stimuli throughout the day. This, warns Dr Saundra, can lead to sensory overload (which may cause anxiety or irritability). Unplugging electronic devices, spending time alone, and embracing stillness are all things we can do to embrace sensory rest and how to feel less tired.
Creative rest: Creative rest is particularly important for those of us who may be regularly depleting our creative juices by spending them all on work. Dr Dalton-Smith argues that how we replenish this is different for each individual, however, activities such as reading, painting, or spending time outside may be things to consider.
Emotional rest: If you’re a ‘yes person’ it’s likely you may be in need of some extra emotional rest. Rather than agreeing to do everything you can to help others, Dr Saundra suggests taking time to think about what would be most beneficial to you and your own emotions before committing to helping others.
Social rest: Rather than becoming a recluse, social rest encourages us to examine our social circle and determine those who are enthusiastic and supportive versus those who tend to leave us feel drained. Spending more time around people who make us feel positive and refreshed is key to incorporating social rest into our routines.
Spiritual rest: The final type of rest, spiritual rest, is the ability to create a deeper sense of purpose. In order to accomplish this, disconnecting from our everyday struggles is key, and Dr Saundra recommends practicing meditation in order to enhance this element of rest for improved mental wellbeing.
