Did you sleep for 8 hours but woke up exhausted?
About ten years ago, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith was a burnt-out, overwhelmed and exhausted physician and mother of two young children. Despite a full night of sleep, she did not feel rested. Coincidentally, many of her patients were also experiencing chronic tiredness. She decided to personally research the issue and published her illuminating book called Sacred Rest.
Dr. Dalton-Smith found that people were lacking seven different types of rest: Physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, and creative. She explains in her TED Talk, that if you are lacking in one area of rest, you probably also need rest in a few other areas.
Begin by asking yourself which type of rest you need most now or take Dr. Dalton-Smith’s Rest Quiz.
Physical Rest (Active and Passive)
Sleep restores the body and is at the top of the list for passive rest. Low-intensity movements such as yoga, stretching, and massage boost healing and restoration.
Mental Rest
We’re constantly analyzing tons of data and need to quiet our minds to increase focus and sleep deeply. Long term solutions for quieting the mind throughout the day include scheduling 10-15 minutes breaks every few hours to breathe, meditate, or take a walk. Other solutions include journaling your thoughts.
These moments of pause and self-reflection build resilience, increase self-awareness, and lead to better decision-making and problem-solving.
Spiritual Rest
Spiritual Rest includes reserving time for daily prayer, meditation, gratitude, giving to others and finding purpose and meaning in life. For some, being in a strong faith-based community provides a sense of belonging and comfort.
Emotional Rest
Schedule time just for you – no people-pleasing or taking care of others. This is the key to emotional rest. During your time alone, you may journal, spend time in nature, get a massage, do some deep breathing, speak with a therapist, exercise, or just sit in solitude.
Sensory Rest
Light, sound, and information overload is the current norm. This sensory saturation impacts our energy, feelings and personalities. It’s recommended to periodically sit in a quiet environment in low natural light to help the brain shut off and rest.
Social Rest
Everyone can benefit from social rest – even extroverts. Prioritize the relationships that energize you while balancing those relationships that constantly need something from you. Be mindful of your energy reserves as you accept invitations especially around the holidays.
Creative Rest
Creative rest occurs when we take a break from brainstorming, problem-solving, being creative, or using design thinking. You stay in the moment by appreciating the beauty around you – music, art, nature, décor.
We need to rest and recharge daily, not just on weekends or on vacation. Choose to slow down a bit to live mindfully and savor beautiful moments.
