REST…
A word I haven’t always been good at, but lately I’m making peace with the beauty of rest. On my rest journey I’ve learned so much about rest, but two lessons stand out.
All rest is not created equal. Knowing the type of rest you need in different situations is powerful.
There are different types of rest and you may need to fill different needs at various times in your life.
I want to share my journey with exploring rest and how I’ve gotten better at giving myself the right type of rest depending on what I need at that time.
All rest is not created equal
When I first started learning how to rest better I went to the immediate sources of rest you see on social media - binge watching shows, laying on the couch, and generally doing nothing.
I quickly realized going on a walk, using my creativity, or even having dinner (and/or a good convo) with a friend often feel more energizing than any show.
That’s when I realized different activities can meet my different rest needs.
For me I need about one tv binge-watching day a month, and outside of that I’m good with 30 minutes max/day. Someone else may have a different experience or tv may fill a different need, but this is a trend I’ve noticed that naturally happens and feels good.
I also need about one couch day a month. This is a wear pajamas all day, eat comfort food, and don’t leave the house kind of day.
Walking on the other hand? Fills me up like no other. I love a daily walk and some sunshine. Those activities make my soul smile and feel replenishing.
When it comes to choosing which rest activity I want to engage in it often depends on the type of rest I need.
There are different types of rest…
Knowing the type of rest you need and activities that help you for that specific type is important. People have identified many areas of rest.
For me the main three types of rest are:
Physical
Mental
Spiritual
This list may change over time, but for now these three areas are the ones I focus on.
Addressing these three areas can usually explain my energy needs or why I may be feeling burnout.
Physical Rest
This is needed when your body is tired.
I just got home for a 7 day trip and I am physically exhausted. I want to sleep in, it is harder to get out of bed, and I don’t feel like moving much.
To address this need I typically spend more time on the couch, watching tv, and eating healthy foods. I need to do things that let my body heal and restore itself.
Although I am physically exhausted, mentally I feel GREAT! I have creative energy, plenty of new ideas, and I can think clearly about my work. I wondered why I have mental energy while my body is tired and realized it is because of how my trip was setup.
I visited 4 cities in 7 days which was a whirlwind. I did a lot of the driving and often lacked sleep due to travel delays. BUT….. I did not bring my work or personal computers on my trip and I completely disconnected from doing anything productive.
That includes reading books or trying to take an online course. I truly let me mind rest and it feels so good.
My body is tired, but my mind is rested from the break it got this week. That leads me to the second type of rest… mental rest.
Mental Rest
This is needed when your mind is tired.
My need for this type of rest is often associated with work or school - starting a new job, getting a degree, or having a period of high stress in your personal life can all lead to mental burnout.
For me the need for mental rest is also caused by too much of positive things in my life. I LOVE to learn, but sometimes the constant influx of new information makes my brain TIRED.
This is the biggest area for me to watch out for because so many of my favorite hobbies and my full-time job require me to use lots of mental energy. I have learned to protect my mental energy and guard it fiercely.
When I need mental rest I often go on walks, take a break from consuming new information, go to yoga (the ultimate relaxation for me!), spend time near water, say NO to anything that isn’t urgent, and sometimes I watch or listen to silly shows that don’t require me to pay much attention.
Spiritual Rest
This is needed when your spirit is tired.
Whew! This one surprised me. I experienced a weariness of the spirit at one point last year. Life felt heavy and it was deeper than a simple tired day or needing a brain break.
This one is hard for me to explain - it is more of a feeling. I realized I wasn't paying much attention to my faith and I felt that was causing a heaviness. So, I made a plan to get more connected to my faith through books, groups, and attending church service. Making these changes provided a lot of comfort during that difficult time.
Learning yourself is a lifelong endeavor
We may never have it all figured out, but starting to pause when you are tired to assess where it is coming from can help you pick strategies that support the type of rest you need.
Ever felt like you were exhausted, but watching tv didn’t help? Maybe there’s a different method to try based on the type of rest you need.
Disclaimer: I am NOT a mental health professional or doctor so please don’t take this as health advice. I’m just sharing my personal experience and things I’ve learned about taking care of myself. Definitely consult with your team of medical professionals, therapists, and trusted friends/family members when going through a difficult time or mental health battle.