Have you had a good night’s rest but still seem to feel tired?

Many of us believe that sleep and rest are the same thing, but they are actually different. We don’t understand the true power of rest, therefore leading to burned-out and chronically tired lives. There are seven types of rest that we all need.

1. Physical (Passive or Active)
Passive physical rest involves sleeping and napping. Active physical rest includes activities that help improve flexibility and circulation in the body such as yoga, stretching and massage therapy.

2. Mental
Oftentimes we spend a long day at work stressing and forgetting things. We come home to sleep but struggle with turning off our thoughts. After sleeping 7-8 hours, we wake up tired. That is because we need to rest our brains. Scheduling short breaks reminds us to slow down and breathe during the day. Creating a habit of writing out your thoughts throughout the day and before going to bed helps release the heavy load from your brain.

3. Sensory
We deal with seeing bright lights on our screens, especially more than ever during the pandemic. Closing your eyes to rest throughout the day for short periods of time—even just a minute can help. Unplugging from electronics 1 hour before sleeping can also help.

4. Creative
This type of rest is especially important for us creatives as we are always brainstorming new ideas and solving problems. Getting outside and looking at the beauty of nature whether it is in your backyard or a local park will provide creative rest. Creative rest also involves enjoying the arts. Decorate your work space with art and pictures that you love.

5. Emotional
There are some people who everyone seems to depend on for help or returning favors. Some have a hard time saying “no” to doing favors for others even though they want to say “no.” This person ends up always doing things for others but then goes home feeling unappreciated. They need to take a break from people-pleasing and also need the space to freely express their feelings and be honest with themselves. This means honestly saying “I’m not okay” when someone asks “How are you?”

6. Social
Social rest is needed when we fail to differentiate between the relationships that give us energy from those that exhaust us. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.

7. Spiritual
Spiritual rest is the ability to connect beyond the physical and mental. It involves a deep feeling of love, belonging, and purpose. Meditation, prayer, or community involvement can help you receive proper spiritual rest.

Note: Fatigue can also be linked to health problems, so please get checked out by your physician if it is an ongoing issue.