If you are like me, tracking your sleeping every night using a fitness/wellness wearable, you have noticed that despite sleeping the right amount of hours, sometimes you feel tired and lack mental energy. This is because physical rest is not enough to recover from our daily stressful life.
Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD is a board-certified internal medicine physician and author who has written about the concept of “7 Types of Rest“. According to Dalton-Smith, rest is not just about physical rest or sleep, but also includes mental, emotional, spiritual, social, sensory, and creative rest.
In her book “I Don’t Want to Be Sick Anymore” she discusses the importance of incorporating all seven types of rest into our lives in order to achieve balance and optimal health and well-being.
Here is a brief overview of the 7 types of rest as described by Dalton-Smith:
- Physical rest: This type of rest involves getting enough sleep and taking breaks from physical activity to allow the body to rest and recover.
- Mental rest: This type of rest involves taking a break from mental tasks and activities to allow the mind to rest and recharge.
- Emotional rest: This type of rest involves taking a break from intense emotions and practicing self-care activities to allow the emotions to rest and recover.
- Spiritual rest: This type of rest involves connecting with one’s sense of purpose and inner peace, and may involve practices such as meditation or prayer.
- Social rest: This type of rest involves taking a break from social interactions and activities to allow for solitude and introspection.
- Sensory rest: This type of rest involves limiting or eliminating stimuli such as loud noises or bright lights to allow the senses to rest and recover.
- Creative rest: This type of rest involves taking a break from work or other tasks to engage in creative activities or hobbies.
Let’s dig into some details
1) Physical rest is the type of rest that involves getting enough sleep and taking breaks from physical activity to allow the body to rest and recover. It is essential for maintaining physical health and well-being.
Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining physical health and well-being. During sleep, the body repairs and rejuvenates itself, including the immune system, muscles, and tissues. Lack of sleep can lead to a variety of negative health consequences, such as the increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. It can also affect mental health, causing irritability, difficulty concentrating and increased risk of depression and anxiety.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, while children and teenagers may need more. However, the exact amount of sleep an individual needs may vary based on factors such as age, lifestyle, and overall health.
In addition to getting enough sleep, it is also essential to take breaks from physical activity to allow the body to rest and recover. This is especially important for athletes or individuals who engage in regular, intense physical activity. Overdoing it without sufficient rest can lead to fatigue, injuries, and decreased performance.
Taking breaks from physical activity can involve simply taking a day off from training or workouts, or engaging in less intense activities such as stretching or yoga. It can also incorporate rest and recovery techniques such as foam rolling, massage, or cold water therapy.
Physical rest is not just about sleep and breaks from activity, however. It also involves taking care of the body through proper nutrition and hydration. Good nutrition provides the body with the fuel and nutrients it needs to function optimally, while adequate hydration helps to maintain proper bodily functions and prevent dehydration.
Incorporating physical rest into our lives is essential for maintaining physical health and well-being. By getting enough sleep, taking breaks from physical activity, and taking care of our bodies through proper nutrition and hydration, we can help to prevent fatigue, injuries, and other negative health consequences.
2) Mental rest is the type of rest that involves taking a break from mental tasks and activities to allow the mind to rest and recharge. It is essential for maintaining mental health and well-being.
Our minds are constantly processing information and solving problems, which can be mentally exhausting. Taking breaks from mental tasks and activities can help to prevent mental burnout and maintain cognitive function.
There are a variety of ways to incorporate mental rest into our lives. One way is to engage in activities that allow the mind to relax and unwind, such as meditation, reading, or listening to music. These activities can help to lower stress and anxiety levels and promote relaxation.
Another way to practice mental rest is to engage in physical activity or outdoor activities, which can help to clear the mind and improve cognitive function. Exercise has been shown to have a number of mental health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and boosting cognitive function.
Taking breaks from screens and technology can also be beneficial for mental rest. Spending too much time in front of screens can be mentally exhausting and may contribute to fatigue and eye strain. Taking breaks from screens can help to reduce these negative effects and allow the mind to rest and recharge.
Incorporating mental rest into our daily routines can help to improve mental health and well-being. By taking breaks from mental tasks and activities, engaging in activities that promote relaxation, and taking breaks from screens, we can help to prevent mental burnout and maintain cognitive function.
3) Emotional rest is the type of rest that involves taking a break from intense emotions and practicing self-care activities to allow the emotions to rest and recover. It is essential for maintaining emotional health and well-being.
Our emotions play a significant role in our overall well-being, and it is important to take care of them just as we take care of our physical health. This includes taking breaks from intense emotions and practicing self-care activities that promote relaxation and emotional well-being.
There are a variety of self-care activities that can help to promote emotional rest, such as:
- Exercise and physical activity: Engaging in physical activity can help to reduce stress and improve mood.
- Relaxation techniques: Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help to calm the mind and reduce stress.
- Hobbies and creative activities: Engaging in hobbies and creative activities can be a great way to express emotions and relax the mind.
- Social support: Surrounding oneself with supportive and positive people can help to improve emotional well-being.
- Self-expression: Engaging in activities that allow for self-expression, such as journaling or art therapy, can help to process and release emotions.
It is also important to practice good self-care habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and taking breaks from work or other responsibilities.
Taking breaks from intense emotions and practicing self-care activities can help to improve emotional health and well-being. By incorporating these practices into our lives, we can help to reduce stress and improve our overall emotional well-being.
4) Spiritual rest is the type of rest that involves connecting with one’s sense of purpose and inner peace, and may involve practices such as meditation or prayer. It is an essential aspect of overall well-being.
Spiritual well-being refers to an individual’s sense of purpose and meaning in life, as well as their connection to something greater than themselves. It can involve practicing a particular religion or spiritual belief, or simply finding meaning and purpose in one’s own way.
There are a variety of ways to incorporate spiritual rest into one’s life. Some common practices include:
- Meditation: Meditation involves focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to train attention and awareness, and is often used as a way to achieve inner peace and clarity.
- Prayer: Prayer is a common spiritual practice that involves communicating with a higher power or deity. It can be used as a way to express gratitude, ask for help, or simply connect with a higher power.
- Nature: Many people find spiritual rest and connection in nature, and may engage in activities such as hiking, gardening, or simply spending time in nature as a way to connect with something greater than themselves.
- Service: Serving others, whether through volunteering or simply helping out a friend or family member, can be a way to connect with a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
- Creativity: Engaging in creative activities, such as art, music, or writing, can be a way to connect with one’s inner self and find spiritual rest and meaning.
Incorporating spiritual rest into one’s life can help to improve overall well-being by providing a sense of purpose and connection. By engaging in practices that promote spiritual well-being, individuals can find inner peace and a sense of meaning in life.
5) Social rest is the type of rest that involves taking a break from social interactions and activities to allow for solitude and introspection. It is an important aspect of overall well-being.
While social interactions and relationships can be a source of joy and support, they can also be mentally and emotionally exhausting. Taking breaks from social interactions and activities can help to prevent burnout and allow for solitude and introspection.
There are a variety of ways to incorporate social rest into one’s life. Some ways include:
- Solo activities: Engaging in activities on one’s own, such as reading, writing, or taking a walk, can be a way to practice social rest and allow for solitude and introspection.
- Boundaries: Setting boundaries with others, such as saying no to social invitations or setting limits on phone or social media use, can help to protect one’s time and energy.
- Solitude: Seeking out solitude, whether through activities such as solo travel or simply spending time alone at home, can be a way to practice social rest and recharge.
- Disconnecting from technology: Taking breaks from social media and other forms of technology can help to prevent social burnout and allow for solitude and introspection.
- Therapy: Engaging in therapy or counseling can be a way to work through social and emotional issues and practice social rest.
Incorporating social rest into one’s life can help to improve overall well-being by providing a sense of solitude and allowing for introspection. By taking breaks from social interactions and activities, setting boundaries, and seeking out solitude, individuals can practice social rest and recharge.
6) Sensory rest is the type of rest that involves limiting or eliminating stimuli such as loud noises or bright lights to allow the senses to rest and recover. It is an important aspect of overall well-being.
Our senses are constantly being bombarded with stimuli from the environment, which can be mentally and physically exhausting. Limiting or eliminating certain stimuli can help to allow the senses to rest and recover.
There are a variety of ways to incorporate sensory rest into one’s life. Some ways include:
- Noise-canceling headphones: Wearing noise-canceling headphones can help to block out excess noise and allow for a more peaceful and restful environment.
- Dimming the lights: Dimming the lights or using softer, warmer lightbulbs can help to create a more calming and restful environment.
- Avoiding strong smells: Certain strong smells, such as perfumes or cleaning products, can be overwhelming to the senses. Avoiding or limiting exposure to these smells can help to allow the senses to rest.
- Massage: Massage can help to relax the senses and promote sensory rest.
- Soothing music: Listening to soothing music can help to relax the senses and create a more restful environment.
Incorporating sensory rest into one’s life can help to improve overall well-being by allowing the senses to rest and recover. By limiting or eliminating certain stimuli and engaging in activities that promote sensory relaxation, individuals can practice sensory rest and recharge.
7) Creative rest is the type of rest that involves taking a break from work or other tasks to engage in creative activities or hobbies. It is an important aspect of overall well-being.
Creative activities and hobbies can be a source of enjoyment and relaxation, and can provide a break from the routine and demands of everyday life. Engaging in creative rest can help to promote relaxation and rejuvenation.
There are a variety of ways to incorporate creative rest into one’s life. Some ways include:
- Engaging in hobbies: Hobbies, such as painting, drawing, or crafting, can provide a creative outlet and allow for relaxation and enjoyment.
- Taking a creative class: Taking a class in a creative field, such as cooking, writing, or photography, can be a way to learn a new skill and engage in creative rest.
- Engaging in outdoor activities: Outdoor activities, such as hiking or gardening, can provide a sense of creativity and connection with nature.
- Reading: Reading can provide a break from work and other tasks and allow for relaxation and enjoyment.
- Music: Engaging in music, whether through listening or playing an instrument, can be a creative and enjoyable activity.
Incorporating creative rest into one’s life can help to improve overall well-being by providing a break from the routine and demands of everyday life and allowing for relaxation and enjoyment. By engaging in creative activities and hobbies, individuals can practice creative rest and recharge.
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop
Ovid
