There are 7 types of rest that are essential to living a healthy life. Without it, our bodies get worn down and we can’t function at our best. But what exactly is deep rest? or nonsleep deep rest? And how do we make sure we get enough rest before we feel that sudden crashing fatigue that can come out of nowhere?
These 7 types of rest are important for optimal health – 3 of which are very commonly known and the other 4 are often overlooked but have just as much impact on our energy levels and preventing mental exhaustion.
In this article, we’ll explore the 7 different types of rest that you should be taking throughout your day (and night). By Making sure you are rested in all areas of your life you will begin to naturally feel more energized and won’t feel the effects of mental exhaustion that can prevent you from enjoying life.
When you think of nonsleep deep rest you might think of the 3 main types of rest
Physical Rest: This is the most common form of rest and involves taking time away from physical activity. You can take a nap, go for a walk, or sit down to read a book.
Mental Rest: This type of rest involves taking a break from mentally-demanding tasks, such as studying or working on a substantial project. It can also be helpful to take a mental health rest when your mind feels overloaded with information and needs some time out to process everything.
Social Rest: is a type of rest that allows us to disconnect from our social lives. It’s a way to take time off from our friends, family, and loved ones so we can recharge on our own terms.
However, we often neglect to take the other 4 areas of nonsleep deep rest into consideration when thinking about Rest.
Spiritual Rest: is a type of rest that allows us to quiet our minds and connect with something greater than ourselves. It’s a way to step back from the physical world and see things from a higher perspective.
Sensory Rest: is a type of rest that allows us to turn off our senses and give them a break from all of the stimulation in our lives. It can be good to unplug from social media, technology or other things that keep us constantly connected.
Emotional Rest: is a type of rest that allows us to let go of our emotions and be at peace. It’s important because we can become so caught up in our own thinking that we forget how much power our emotions have over us.
Creative Stress: It’s important to remember that creative stress is different from the stress we experience in our everyday lives. It happens when we are stretched beyond our comfort zone when we are working on something new or challenging and it requires us to use parts of our brains that don’t usually get activated.
When you don’t recognize when you need to rest, your body and mind will let you know may it be through mental exhaustion or just having sudden crashing fatigue throughout the day.
Related: The 7 Pillars of Wellness
The 7 Types Of Rest
Physical Rest
Physical rest occurs when your body is not under stress. It’s also known as physical relaxation, and it’s an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Physical rest helps you relax and recover from stressful events, which can help reduce mental exhaustion and improve mental performance.
Physical rest is not the same as sleep. In fact, it’s not even close. Sleep is an involuntary action that needs to happen in order for us to be healthy and functioning at our best. Physical rest, on the other hand, is something we choose (consciously or subconsciously) to do when our body needs a break from taxing activities.
Physical rest is important for your body because it allows tissue repair to occur so that when you engage in physical activity again, later on, your muscles won’t feel sore or damaged. Physical rest can also help reduce anxiety levels by slowing down the nervous system so that stress hormones like cortisol are lowered and balanced out over time.
Physical rest is not the same as sleep or inactivity. Sleep is a type of physical rest, but it’s not the only kind. For example, you can also experience physical rest by:
- Taking a nap
- Meditating
- Listening to music or an audiobook
- Getting a massage
- Taking a hot bath or shower
- Do light yoga or deep stretching
In many ways, physical rest is the foundation of your health. If you’re not getting enough of it, there’s a good chance that your mental, physical and cognitive health will suffer.
It’s also important to understand that the kind of rest you get can have a big impact on how much energy you have throughout your day. Many people think they need caffeine and sugar, but in reality, all they need is more deep rest!
Mental Rest
Mental rest is a state of relaxation. It’s not the same as physical rest or sleep, which means it doesn’t involve the body and brain shutting down—instead, your mind remains active while you’re resting.
Resting the brain is just as important as resting the body. The brain needs to be rested so that you can think clearly and make decisions, process information and solve problems, recover from stress and get things done.
Mental rest can be achieved through inactivity or it can be achieved by engaging in activities that don’t require concentration, such as
- reading a book
- watching TV.
- listen to music
- mediating
Related: 13 Inspiring Podcasts to Improve your life
How do you know if you are mentally exhausted?
Mental exhaustion is a feeling of being mentally drained or exhausted. It’s a form of burnout, which occurs when you push yourself too hard for too long without taking breaks or engaging in activities that allow you to recharge. This can lead to stress, depression, and even physical illness.
The brain is highly sensitive to stress and fatigue, which can result in that mental exhaustion if your thoughts and emotions are overworked for too long.
Mental exhaustion can cause symptoms such as:
- Lack of motivation
- Lowered concentration or focus levels
- Exhaustion or loss of energy
- Increased stress
- Reduced motivation
- Reduced ability to concentrate
- Reduced ability to think clearly
- Reduced ability to learn
- Reduced ability to remember
Depression and anxiety, as well as chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, can all be exacerbated by mental exhaustion
The most important thing to remember is that mental exhaustion is a condition that can be treated. The next time you feel like you’re hitting a wall, take some time off, get some rest and give yourself a break!
- Take a break from mentally taxing tasks.
- Do something relaxing.
- Get some exercise.
- Listen to music or read a book.
- Meditate to clear your mind of thoughts and worries.
- Get enough sleep!
The more nonsleep deep rest your brain gets, the better it works for you. The brain mainly needs two things to rest effectively:
- Nonsleep deep rest is when you stop thinking and simply do something. This can be as simple as taking a walk or doing some stretching exercises, but it also includes meditation. Meditation is a great way to get your mind off things, let go of stress and clear your thoughts.
- Sleep is important because that’s when the brain processes information you’ve learned during the day, consolidates memories, and updates existing ones. Your brain also uses sleep to make new connections between different parts of itself. This is what helps you learn new things and come up with creative solutions to problems
Social Rest
There’s a difference between being busy and having fun. When you’re busy, it’s easy to get caught up in the vortex of doing everything you can think of—going to events, taking on new projects for work, and saying yes to every social invite.
But If you’re not enjoying an activity as much as others seem to be and are feeling drained by it, then perhaps it’s time to consider whether or not the activity is really worth your valuable time. If you don’t enjoy something—a hobby or pastime—then it won’t feel like fun. Instead, it will feel like work (or drudgery). You’ll feel drained after doing something that isn’t pleasurable at all; the activity will sap your energy instead of replenishing it.
There’s a lot of pressure to be constantly busy, and it’s easy to get swept up in this mentality. But taking time out for yourself is actually great for your health (not just physically but mentally and emotionally too). It’s important to have quiet down time, even if you don’t feel like you have time to relax.
Here are some tips on how to relax without feeling guilty:
- Set aside one morning or evening per week where you don’t do anything other than chill
- Limit your social media use.
- Take yourself on a date
- Book a massage appointment
- go to the movie theater by yourself
- have your own spa day at home
- get lost in a good book
Related: The 9 types of friendships every woman should have
Having quiet downtime helps you recharge your batteries, prevents sudden crashing fatigue, and gives you a chance to think about what really matters in life and get so much-needed nonsleep deep rest. It’s important to remember that life isn’t always about being socially active or working hard, so take advantage of these moments where no one else is around.
If you’re feeling worn out or mentally exhausted, cancel plans. It’s okay to say no for a few days. You don’t need to feel guilty about it or apologize for anything. Your friends and family will understand
Spiritual Rest
Spiritual rest is a state of deep relaxation and rejuvenation that occurs when you stop thinking about the external world in order to focus on your inner experience. This kind of deep rest teaches you to be in touch with your inner self so that you can learn to trust in yourself and find peace within your own soul.
The act of spiritual deep rest involves placing yourself in a relaxed mindset and allowing your body to move into a state of stillness that allows you to hear yourself think clearly. This can be done through meditation or prayer, which both help center your mind on something bigger than yourself—whether that be God or another higher power, depending on what feels most comfortable for you!
So Why Is Spiritual Deep Rest So Important?
Helps You Slow Down: Spiritual rest is a time when you are slowing down intentionally. It’s about setting aside some time for rest and renewal, whether it’s going for a walk in the woods, taking a nap, or meditating, Spiritual rest can also be found in times of solitude where we take the time to reflect on what is most important to us and how we can move forward into our next season of life
Makes you feel more Connected: Being spiritually recharged allows you to feel more connected to something larger than you. That might mean God, nature, other people, or even yourself. It’s possible that you can be so drained by your daily life that your spiritual side can go neglected and underdeveloped—and this is when the recharge comes in handy!
You may find that you feel more connected to the world around you, have a deeper sense of purpose, and even have more compassion for others. When we’re spiritually recharged, we are able to be more open-minded, empathetic and forgiving—which is why spiritual rest is so important in today’s fast-paced world!
Puts things in perspective: Spiritual rest can help you feel more connected to something larger than yourself—something like God or the universe. It’s a way of stepping back from your daily tasks and drawing on your faith, giving yourself time to be mindful throughout the day
This can help you become more productive, by allowing you to focus on what’s important in your life rather than just work. Spiritual rest helps relieve the stresses of daily life. It can help you gain perspective on your emotions, learn from your experiences, and feel more grounded in yourself as well as with others.
Give you Time to think about your life: In the silence of solitude, you will find yourself reflecting on what’s important to you. You can consider what goals are worth pursuing in this world, and how they fit into your overall vision of how you want to live your life.
Retreats offer a chance to examine your life and consider things that might be difficult or impossible to contemplate during regular daily living.
Prevents mental exhaustion: Spiritual rest is a great way to give your brain a much-needed break. Your brain is like any other muscle in your body: if you don’t give it the time and energy it needs to rest, you can end up with some serious health issues. And just like a workout at the gym, spiritual rest requires discipline and dedication.
To practice spiritual rest, simply incorporate into your daily routine the things that help relax your mind—whether that means praying somewhere quiet, meditating for ten minutes each morning before work, or spending half an hour doing yoga on weekends deep
Sensory Rest
Sensory rest means disconnecting from the world and going to a quiet place where you won’t be able to hear anything or see much. It’s also important to avoid what are called “distractors,” or things that will draw your attention away from when you are resting and sleeping. If your senses are constantly disturbed by the various distraction in the world, this could result in sudden crashing fatigue
Sensory nonsleep deep rest is a state of deep relaxation that allows your body to heal and recharge. It can be achieved through many different activities, but the key is to focus on your senses as you do them. Here are some examples:
- Bathing in a hot tub or pool with Epsom salts (this can be done at home or at the gym)
- Spending time in nature (this could mean going for walks outside or spending time in parks)
- Listening to relaxing music (try meditation music if you’re looking for something to help get into sensory rest)
- Booking yourself into a float session( this is when you lay in a pod full of body temperature eater and cant see, hear or feel anything)
The goal of sensory rest is to quiet your senses and allow yourself some time without stimulation. It can be difficult because our daily lives are full of noise and constant stimulus from technology, but it’s important to give your body a break every now and then. You may not feel the need for sensory deep rest right away, but over time you will find that it helps you feel more relaxed.
EmotionalRest
Emotional rest is about taking time to process your emotions and being in touch with how you feel. It’s important to recognize that we all have feelings, and give ourselves permission—and space—It is important to feel our emotions and release them so that we can be in touch with who we really are.
Emotional rest means allowing yourself the space and time you need to heal from any wounds or traumas—whether they’re recent, ongoing, or even decades old. If you are unable to process certain situations without feeling overwhelmed by sadness and anger (or other intense emotions), then taking a break may be necessary in order for your mind and body to be able to function at their best.
In times of stress or anxiety, we can often neglect ourselves and our needs because we believe that taking care of others is more important than taking care of ourselves.
Here are some tips for how you can take care of your emotional health when life gets overwhelming:
Say No to what drains your energy: It’s easy to get caught up in the desire to do everything and be everything, but the truth is that we can’t. If you are taking on too much and it’s affecting your mental health, then it’s time to say no.
Do something to make yourself Happy: There is a lot of pressure in our society to be productive. It’s easy to lose sight of what makes us happy and focus on the things that make us feel productive instead. Take some time each day just for yourself—no matter how big or small
Be open with your feelings: When you’re feeling overwhelmed and mentally exhausted, it’s important to talk about your feelings. Talking about what’s going on with someone else can help give you perspective, motivate you to keep moving forward, and remind you that there are other people who understand what you’re going through.
Take Care of Yourself: When you’re feeling emotional or mental exhaustion, it’s easy to forget that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of others. Eat healthy, exercise, get enough sleep and take time for yourself. Don’t neglect your health in favor of the emotions of others.
Emotional deep rest is something that should be practiced every day. It’s not a one-time thing; it’s an ongoing commitment to taking care of yourself and your mental health before that sudden crashing fatigue sets in.
Even though you may feel like you don’t have time for this, or even deserve it, remember: You are entitled to take care of yourself—and the only one who can do that work is you.
Creative Rest
Creative rest is a time for brainstorming and reflection. It’s also time to relax—to think, read or make art. creative rest is not the same thing as being distracted or lazy; it’s about taking the pressure off yourself and being able to breathe freely for a moment before going back to your everyday routine.
The best way to incorporate creativity into your daily life is to do something that relaxes you, makes you happy, and makes you feel good. It can be anything that you enjoy doing or are passionate about. It doesn’t have to be art-related if it isn’t your thing; just find something that makes sense for who you are and what matters to you.
Creative rest can manifest itself in many forms—Find what works for you:
- If you enjoy reading and writing, try journaling.
- If you like to draw, sketch or doodle keep a sketchbook with you to draw in your spare time.
- If you like photography and nature, take some time to go on a hike and take photos
- If you enjoy music, take some music/instrument lessons and learn a new skill
- If you love cooking, learn new recipes or create your own
As you can see, there are many different ways that you can be creative. You don’t have to do it all at once; just take some time each day or week and try something new. It doesn’t matter if you fail or succeed, just enjoy the process of doing something different and original!
It may take many different forms for you, but connecting with creative deep rest will be an important part of your life. Just give yourself permission to experience this form of rest.
What happens when you don't get enough of these 7 types of Rest
If you don’t get enough deep rest, your body may experience the following symptoms:
Increased stress. When we’re tired, we tend to become more irritable and more prone to feeling stressed out by things that wouldn’t normally be stressful in our lives.
Poor performance. Tiredness can make it harder for us to concentrate on tasks at work or school, which can hurt our grades or cause us to miss deadlines and lose valuable opportunities in our careers.
Poor health. Sleep deprivation and lack of nonsleep deep rest are associated with a wide range of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and strokes! If you’re chronically tired due then this list of ailments could grow even longer as time goes on if left untreated
Poor mental health. When your body isn’t getting enough rest, it can lead to decreased energy levels, depression, anxiety, and mental exhaustion.
Poor cognitive function. If you are not getting enough sleep each night, then your brain is not functioning at its full capacity. This means that tasks such as memory recall and decision-making may suffer;
Related: The Lost Practice of Resting One Day a week
The bottom line is that rest is not just a luxury. It’s not just something you do when you feel like it or have time to spare. Rest is a necessity, like food and water. Rest is essential to your psychological, social, and physical well-being. Without it, you risk depression and poor health.
