Have you ever come home from a holiday and immediately felt like you needed another one? It may be that your holiday only satisfied one type of rest. To feel truly rested, relaxed and rejuvenated, it’s important to give body, mind and soul a break.
Here are the types of rest we all need:
Physical Rest
Physical rest can take two forms:
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Passive – such as sleep. Getting enough hours of sleep each night is super important for our ongoing health. Holidays and breaks provide a great opportunity to get some extra rest by taking naps when needed. How good does it feel to wake up from a deep, refreshing nap?
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Active – active rest can be found in activities such as stretching and massage. During your holiday, consider booking a spa appointment or trying a new yoga or pilates class.
Mental Rest
Mental rest deficit is caused when our thinking and decision-making is overworked. A few suggestions to help create a mental rest period include:
Social Rest
Holidays are usually a busy time. We can love our family and friends BUT we can also find a long stretch of social obligations to be a bit overwhelming and tiring.
To feel truly refreshed it’s important to spend time with people who give us energy, rather than those who steal it. It’s also ok to need time alone to recharge your batteries. There is nothing wrong with enjoying some peaceful time in your own company.
Spiritual Rest
Doing things can be rejuvenating too. Being a part of something bigger than ourselves provides soul-nourishing spiritual rest. We can spend some time volunteering, helping others, engaging in a purpose-driven task or participating in activities that align with our belief system.
Sensory Rest
In a world of technology, bright lights and multiple notifications, it is SO easy to become overstimulated and experience sensory overload.
A few ways to give our senses a break and reconnect with ourselves include:
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take a break from social media and news feeds
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turn off notifications, sound and visual alerts for a period of time
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limit our overall screen time
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set a relaxing ambiance using music, lighting and scent
Emotional Rest
It’s an unfortunate reality that sometimes we feel we cannot be our true selves. For example, having to be polite and smile to a rude customer. Such situations are often taxing on our emotional health.
Taking some time for emotional rest is vital for our overall wellbeing. Try scheduling some time with those around whom we can truly be our authentic self. It is also valuable to find a way to process our emotions – perhaps a journalling practice or speaking to someone who can help such as a professional.
Creative Rest
Appreciating beauty in any form is good for the soul, refreshing us creatively. Enjoy some natural beauty by taking a walk (even your neighbourhood will have some wonders to enjoy) or getting up to appreciate the sunrise. Read an inspiring book, watch an uplifting documentary, visit your local art gallery or museum – all these activities will leave you feeling uplifted.
I hope you enjoyed this exploration of rest and are inspired to include a few different types of relaxation in any upcoming holidays. However, rest doesn’t need to wait for a special occasion! Is there a daily or weekly ritual you could create for yourself that builds rejuvenation into your regular routine? Your mind, body and soul will thank you.