When was the last time you allowed yourself some time to rest? If you’re a go-getter who needs every single item from your list checked at the end of the day, you should be including rest as part of your list. We know it’s hard to believe that sacrificing rest would make us more productive, but studies suggest that working less actually makes us accomplish more.
The concept of “rest” goes beyond just physical relaxation and absence of tasks. It encompasses various dimensions of well-being and can be addressed in different forms of self-care. According to Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, author of bestselling book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less, there should be heavier importance placed on rest as it contributes to our overall well-being.
Pang holds a PhD in History and Sociology of Science and has delivered keynote speeches and presentations at conferences and events focused on technology, work, and well-being. He has expertise on topics such as work-life balance, creativity, and the role of rest in achieving success.
In his book, he delved into different aspects of rest, including the role of sleep in our overall wellness, the benefits of daytime napping, the importance of play, and the impact of nature on our daily lives.
While the book is exhaustive on various forms of self-care, it is only accessible when you purchase a copy. So in the meantime, below is a compressed and digestible list that identifies 7 different types of rest that we all need.
Physical Rest: This type of rest involves allowing your body to recover and recharge. It includes getting sufficient sleep, engaging in relaxation activities, and taking breaks from physical exertion. Pang’s book emphasises this in his book and explains the importance of sufficient and quality sleep as a vital form of rest. It explores the benefits of regular sleep patterns, adequate sleep duration, and strategies for optimising sleep quality. The book also discussed daytime napping as a way to combat fatigue and improve cognitive performance. He explores the science behind power naps and explains how short periods of rest during the day can enhance alertness and productivity.
Mental Rest: Mental rest involves giving your mind a break from constant thinking, mental stimulation, and cognitive tasks. It can be achieved through activities such as mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies that promote relaxation and mental calmness. Deliberate rest can involve practices such as mindfulness and meditation. These activities help quiet the mind, reduce stress, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
Emotional Rest: Emotional rest focuses on replenishing emotional energy. It involves acknowledging and addressing your emotions, setting boundaries, seeking support when needed, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and emotional well-being. There are different ways to practice emotional rest, such as saying feelings aloud, talking to a trusted friend, and even journaling. However, sometimes even acknowledging what we are currently feeling or identifying our emotions can be a little tricky and it’s not enough to talk about it or write about it. One holistic practice that can help in emotional rest is EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique, which involves tapping on specific points in the body’s meridian system.
Social Rest: The book highlights the role of social rest, which involves taking time for meaningful connections and relationships. It includes spending time with loved ones, engaging in social activities, and nurturing supportive relationships that provide a sense of belonging and emotional support. While this may work on extroverts, this might be a little overwhelming for introverts. Since introverts often thrive in deeper, more intimate conversations, engaging in meaningful discussions with close friends or trusted individuals can provide social connection and restorative benefits for them without getting overwhelmed with excessive social stimulation.
Spending time with people that make you feel good is a worthwhile form of rest.
Sensory Rest: We’re guilty of being on our laptops and phones almost 24/7, and being physically away from them is almost impossible. However, it is necessary to take a break from our devices as it contributes to that difficult, restless feeling. Sensory rest is about giving the senses a break from overstimulation. It can be achieved by creating an environment that promotes relaxation and calmness, such as reducing exposure to bright lights, loud noises, or excessive visual stimuli. Spending time in natural environments and engaging in outdoor activities can have a restorative effect on mental well-being, and can be an alternative form of sensory stimulation. Pang’s book gives details on the benefits of nature walks, gardening, and other outdoor pursuits in promoting relaxation and rejuvenation. If this option is not available nor feasible for you, things like listening to calming ASMR videos on YouTube could also help!
Creative Rest: Creative rest involves taking a break from constant productivity and allowing yourself time for creative expression and inspiration. Engaging in activities like art, music, writing, or any form of creative outlet can provide rejuvenation and fresh perspectives. The book highly encourages pursuing hobbies and creative activities like painting, playing an instrument, writing, or engaging in crafts, which are usually pushed back and ignored in order to make way for “more productive” things. It is a disservice to yourself to forget about your passion, so this is your permission to grab that sketchbook you have been hiding inside your drawer and start sketching.
Allow your creativity to flourish, and give yourself the gift of self-expression.
Spiritual Rest: Spiritual rest focuses on nourishing your inner self and finding meaning and purpose. It can include engaging in practices that align with your beliefs and values, such as meditation, prayer, spending time in nature, or participating in activities that foster personal growth and reflection. While there are many ways to indulge in spiritual rest, information about where and how to begin the journey can be difficult to access. Bodhi Holistic Hub has a wide range of information on various forms of spiritual practices, which can be explored via our Learning Hub.
While this list provides specific ways to properly rest, it is hard to accomplish especially when we’re so used to being on-the-go. However, as emphasised in Pang’s book, rest is something we should actively pursue and practise.
"Rest is not something that the world gives us. It's never been a gift. It's never been something you do when you've finished everything else. If you want rest, you have to take it. You have to resist the lure of busyness, make time for rest, take it seriously, and protect it from a world that is intent on stealing it." - Alex Soojung Kim-Pang
About the Author
Mareon Ducay
Mareon is passionate about advocating for mental health. A creative storyteller who finds solace in the sea and is usually fueled by coffee.
