Mar 15, 20224 min read

The 7 Kinds of Rest You Didn’t Know You Need

It’s no surprise that after two years of pandemic living, “tired” doesn’t adequately describe the level of burnout many of us are feeling. Even with eight hours of sleep, it’s common to find yourself waking up even more tired than when you went to bed. But, there’s much more to rest than simply a good night’s sleep. There are in fact seven types of rest you need to increase your energy and productivity.

Sleep ≠ Rest

In her viral Ted Talk and related book “Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, and Restore Your Sanity”, Saundra Dalton-Smith M.D. explains it’s important not to conflate sleep with rest. Instead, there are many kinds of rest we need to fully recharge - physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, sensory, and creative.

A proper understanding of each type of rest helps us identify a deficit and how we can fix it. Without it, we will struggle to function at our best, whether it’s at work, in our relationships, or our own internal happiness.

Here are the seven types of rest you didn’t know you need.

The Seven Kinds of Rest

Physical rest

Lethargy and physical exhaustion signal that you need physical rest. Maybe you find yourself reaching for that fourth cup of coffee? Increased reliance on caffeine or sugar is another tell-tale sign of a physical rest deficiency.

Catching up on physical rest can be active or passive. Passive physical rest includes napping or a proper deep sleep in the evening. Active physical rest involves gentle movement, such as pilates or massage. Incorporating these techniques into your daily routine leads to better quality sleep in the evening.

Mental rest

Resting our mind is as important as resting our body. If you’re experiencing anxious thoughts, mental fog, or increased irritability, then you’re likely in need of mental rest.

Meditation is one of the best ways to give your brain some downtime. If you need a hand, free apps like Calm and Insight Timer are great for beginners, offering a range of short guided meditations and breathing exercises.

But if meditation isn’t your thing, journaling is another great mental rest technique. Writing down your thoughts and worries can work wonders for clearing your mind.

Social rest

To figure out if you need social rest, look at your relationships and the time you spend with others. How do those interactions leave you feeling - drained and worn-down or recharged and uplifted? If it’s the former, you may have a social rest deficit.

For true introverts, social rest may mean taking a break from socialising altogether. For others, it helps to spend time with those people who recharge and uplift you.

Emotional rest

Are you someone who feels ALL the feelings? When you’re feeling emotionally drained, you need proper emotional rest.

Recognizing an emotional rest deficit requires some self-reflection. What exactly are you feeling? And why? Often it’s as a result of taking on the emotional burden of those around you. Or it may be a case of falling into the comparison trap, especially when it comes to social media.

Stepping away from these people or social media platforms can help address the issue. Speaking to a trusted friend or therapist can also help restore your emotional rest levels.

Spiritual rest

If you find yourself sweating the small stuff or feeling generally disconnected, you might need some spiritual rest. Spiritual rest is necessary for everyone, regardless of religious beliefs. It helps us get a “bigger picture” perspective and reconnect with our purpose.

The main focus of spiritual rest is connecting with a community of like-minded people. Those who practice a faith may find spiritual rest in prayer or attending a church service. Or it could be spending time with others over a shared value, such as volunteering.

Sensory rest

It’s easy for our senses to be overwhelmed by all the technology in our lives. Without realizing it, we can spend hours of the day staring at a screen or scrolling between Instagram, Twitter, TikTok. And if you live in a city, the constant noise, smells, and sights can add to this sensory overload.

Unsurprisingly, a digital detox is one of the best ways to get some sensory rest. Alternatively, try to seek out a calm, quiet environment. This could be going for a walk in nature or reading a paperback book (don’t pick up the e-reader!)

Creative rest

Creative rest isn’t just for artists, writers, or musicians. When you’re struggling to generate fresh ideas or hitting a problem-solving wall, you need to get some creative rest.

Creative rest is about doing something that inspires you, without any pressure to create. Exactly what this looks like is different for everyone. It could be going to a gallery, playing a board game, or reading a (non-work-related) book.

Rest is the best alternative therapy

In the words of Dr. Dalton-Smith, “rest is the most underused, chemical-free, safe, and effective alternative therapy available”. So the next time you’re feeling exhausted, think about exactly what kind of rest you need. Taking time out to engage in the right kind of rest can work wonders on your productivity and overall sense of wellbeing.