The 7 Types of Rest
How can we use the seven types of rest to optimize our lives?
In Saundra Dalton-Smith’s theory of rest, she describes the seven different types: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social and creative. She has a book called Sacred Rest going into the details of her approach.
Sometimes we really do need more sleep or better quality sleep to wake refreshed. But when sleep and our physical well-being are “taken care of”, why do we sometimes still feel drained? Sometimes what we really need is a rest from the strain of our daily tasks or work environment. We need a break from notifications and zoom calls and non-stop emails. The different types of rest address factors we might not always think of, when it comes to feeling energized and refreshed.
Physical rest could look like a nap, but it could also be gentle movement like stretching or even getting a massage. Taking care of our body and physical self can be physical rest.
Mental rest could be as simple as scheduling in breaks to your day. Take a step away from your computer or work - maybe even go for a short walk! Sometimes we recommend writing down your thoughts before bed - especially for those having a hard time turning their brain off.
Emotional rest allows us to feel open to share how we are truly feeling. When we don’t feel we can be open about how we are feeling - maybe for the sake of others, or to put on a front of “being OK” in a work situation - we carry that “emotional labour”. The ability to let our guard down in a safe space is part of emotional rest.
Spiritual rest will look different for everyone, but we all have a common need to feel belonging and purpose. Digging into your values or starting a gratitude practice is a good start.
Creative rest is experienced when we allow ourselves to appreciate beauty or art in any form. This could be natural (like our environment!) or human (dance, art, music etc). We might notice we need creative rest when we are having a hard time problem-solving or feel stuck with a task.
Social rest is a little more obvious and some of us need this more than others (but all need it to some degree!). Social rest doesn’t just look like spending time alone. It’s also about prioritizing spending time with people who can allow us to just “be” without needing anything from us. Building boundaries in your calendar, and being conscious of how many events you say yes to, can be part of social rest.
Sensory rest can be just finding a quiet space to sit and shut your eyes for a moment. We are bombarded with so much information - visual and auditory - all day. In moments of boredom, we often turn to our phones for something to read or look at. Try taking a moment each day to just experience quiet.
Do you find space for the seven types of rest in your day-to-day? Give it a try and notice the difference. If your energy is consistently low, investigation may also be needed as there are many reasons for fatigue. Book in with one of our naturopathic doctors or our nurse practitioner to get started.