Despite getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep every night, you still wake up feeling like something’s missing. You don’t feel nearly as rejuvenated or refreshed as you should. One of the main reasons why you might be experiencing this feeling is because you don’t know how to rest properly.
Good rest isn’t necessarily synonymous with better sleep. While sleeping can certainly help you feel more relaxed, it’s not always enough. No matter how much you sleep, you can still wake up feeling like you’re too drained to continue on with the rest of your day. If you can relate, then it’s likely that you just haven’t mastered the art of knowing how to properly rest your body.
To truly feel well-rested, you actually need seven different types of rest. Here are the different types of rest that can teach you how to rest better.
Physical Rest
Figuring out how to rest better understandably starts with getting a good night’s sleep. Physical rest is exactly that. But there are two types of physical rest: passive and active.
Sleep is a form of passive physical rest because your body is also asleep in a way. When you sleep, your heart rate and breathing slow down, and your muscles relax.
On the other hand, active physical rest refers to any activity that relaxes your body even though it’s in use. These activities would include yoga, stretching, massage, or even taking deep breaths.
In its essence, physical rest, whether it’s passive or active, is meant to alleviate any stiffness, aches, and pains so that you’re well-equipped to rest and sleep better. Make sure your bedroom is optimized for a good night’s rest by going through online mattress reviews to find the most comfortable mattress for sleep. A hybrid mattress is a great choice if you’re looking for something that provides both comfort and support.
Mental Rest
When it comes to knowing how to rest effectively, getting sufficient mental rest should be high up on your list of priorities, especially if your brain starts to feel like it’s been fried to the point of no return.
Anytime you feel like you need some mental rest, it’s a good idea to take a short break so that your brain has enough time to unwind and reset. Even if it’s only a 10-minute break, you can use that time to go on a short walk, meditate, or even just grab your favorite snack.
The only thing you need to remember is to give yourself and your brain some time away from stressors. For instance, if you’re taking a break while you’re at work, be sure not to check your phone or emails.
Sensory Rest
To learn how to rest better, it’s essential to minimize screen time. Sensory rest means taking a break from all your devices and just treasuring time for yourself.
Not only is being glued to your phone or your computer harmful for your mental health, but it can also overwhelm your senses. As such, it’s essential to set aside some time in your day to unplug and recharge. Try to give your senses a break during that time by doing simple things you enjoy, such as spending time with your family, cooking a meal, or going on a walk.
Creative Rest
If your job requires you to produce creative work or demonstrate some level of creativity day in and day out, then you’ve likely experienced a crash. When you do plummet, you might’ve observed that you feel creatively drained or blocked, and just can’t seem to come up with any good ideas. To regain your fervor, it’s essential to learn how to rest from a creative standpoint.
The best way to achieve a creative reset is to take some time off work, especially if you feel like you’ve dreaded going into work for days on end. However, if you can’t afford to take any time off, then the next best thing is to take short breaks while you’re at work so that your mind has sufficient time to decompress.
Emotional Rest
Prone to saying “yes” to everything? Those who have a tough time saying “no” are likely in need of more emotional rest because committing to things you don’t necessarily want to do can take a toll on you.
Instead of defaulting to a “yes” every time someone asks you a favor, the best thing you can do is give yourself time to think about it so you can practice how to rest better. By taking this time to yourself, you’ll have the opportunity to consider your own wants and needs.
Social Rest
Regardless of whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in the middle, everyone needs some time to themselves sometimes.
But figuring out how to rest as it pertains to your social circle doesn’t mean cutting off all interactions and becoming a recluse. Of course, it’s necessary to take some time for yourself and do things you enjoy, but social rest can also mean spending time with people who are supportive and uplift you.
Spiritual Rest
Though it might seem like spiritual rest has a religious connotation, it has a lot more to do with reconnecting with the outside world. This is something you might need especially if you’ve spent a long time focusing on achieving something significant in your life, whether that’s planning a wedding or working toward a promotion.
Learning how to rest spiritually can mean different things. You could try meditating, go to church, or volunteer at a soup kitchen.
The best way to start learning how to rest better is to ensure you’re getting these seven types of rest.
