Not all rest is created equal. There are 7 types of rest you should be getting.
Rest is not the same thing as sleep. To rest means to relax into something and let it support you. We rest to refill our energy tanks which becomes depleted throughout the day. However, in our current lifestyle, most people are in a rest deficit. Basically, we aren't resting enough.
Figure Out Your Specific Rest Needs
Creative: The type that inspires and motivates you.
Mental: When you quiet your mind and focus on what’s really important.
Physical: The rest that relieves your body of muscle aches and tension and helps improve sleep.
Social: Spending time on relationships you cherish with people who enhance your life.
Emotional: The ability to express your deepest feelings and be your genuine self.
Sensory: Gives you an interval of relief from background noise and distractions, such as negative self-talk and your devices.
Spiritual: You feel that you are part of something bigger, as well as a sense of belonging and fitting in.
How to Get Each Type of Rest
Creative: Get Outside
Actively getting yourself out of your current environment will help open you up to creativity, wonder and inspiration. You could go to a museum, watch a theatre performance; anything that flips your creativity switch.
Mental & Spiritual: Meditate
Meditation helps you focus your mind on a single point which helps create calm and gives your brain a chance to settle down. Doing this even for a few minutes can prove several benefits. Chanting and breath work are examples
Physical: Move
Any form of gentle movement will make your body feel better. Physical activities that make your body feel restored will in turn make you feel better rested. Look for activities such as yoga, stretching or take a walk.
Social & Emotional: Share Your Feelings
More often than not, we do not have adequate ways of sharing and reaching out for help. We sometimes become afraid to be vulnerable. Reaching out to those close to you, a family member or a friend in order to talk about how you're feeling is a great first step to help you feeling calm. When you do so, it no longer makes you feel like you are the only one.
Sensory: Stillness
Everyday, no matter how busy you are, try to find time to be alone in silence to recharge. Turn off your devices and try to avoid distractions at least one hour before bed. Having a moment of stillness allows you to recharge your body's batteries which will ensure you feel well rested and ready to take on your day.
Our bodies respond to rest differently but knowing which specific rest responds to your body's needs will help you get the most out of it.