Have you ever tried to fix an ongoing lack of energy by getting more sleep — only to do so and still feel exhausted?
If that’s you, here’s the secret: Sleep and rest are not the same thing, although many of us incorrectly confuse the two.
We go through life thinking we’ve rested because we have gotten enough sleep — but in reality we are missing out on the other types of rest we desperately need. The result is a culture of high-achieving, high-producing, chronically tired and chronically burned-out individuals. We’re suffering from a rest deficit because we don’t understand the true power of rest.
Rest should equal restoration in seven key areas of your life.
1, Physical rest
2, Mental rest
3, Sensory rest
4, Creative rest
5, Emotional rest
6, Social rest
7, Spiritual rest
As you can see, sleep alone can’t restore us to the point we feel rested. So it’s time for us to begin focusing on getting the right type of rest we need.
I – Word Understanding
Chronically – happening or occurring again and again for a long time
Burned-out – extremely tired
II – Have Your Say
Are you well-rested? Let’s take a look at the 7 types of rests we need:
1, Physical – Passive physical rest includes sleeping and napping, while active physical rest means restorative activities such as yoga, stretching and massage therapy that help improve the body’s circulation and flexibility.
2, Mental – Schedule short breaks to occur every two hours throughout your workday; these breaks can remind you to slow down. You might also keep a notepad by the bed to jot down any nagging thoughts that would keep you awake.
3, Sensory – Bright lights, computer screens, background noise and multiple conversations can cause our senses to feel overwhelmed. Closing your eyes for a minute in the middle of the day, unplugging from electronics can begin to undo the damage inflicted by the over-stimulating world.
4, Creative – especially important for anyone who must solve problems or brainstorm new ideas. Allowing yourself to take in the beauty of the outdoors and art provides you with creative rest.
5, Emotional – means having the time and space to freely express your feelings and cut back on people pleasing. Emotional rest also requires the courage to be authentic. An emotionally rested person can share some hard things that otherwise go unsaid.
6, Social – surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
7, Spiritual – the ability to connect beyond the physical and mental and feel a deep sense of belonging, love, acceptance and purpose. To receive this, engage in something greater than yourself and add prayer, meditation or community involvement to your daily routine.
