The Power of Resting: How to Unplug, Relax and Replenish in a Busy World 🪫
As busy adults, we often view rest as a sign of weakness or laziness. We think that if we're not constantly doing something, we're wasting our time. But the truth is that rest is a vital component of overall well-being and success.
Do you ever feel like you're living life on fast-forward, constantly racing to keep up?
Are you getting enough sleep, but still feeling drained and unmotivated?
Do you ever feel like you're constantly on the go, but never really recharging your batteries?
Have you ever taken a vacation, only to feel just as exhausted when you return as you did before you left?
If you have answered YES to at least one of these questions, know that you're not alone.
As millennials, we're often told that we need to hustle and push ourselves to the limit if we want to succeed. We strive to achieve and produce at high levels but often find ourselves feeling exhausted and burnt out. This is because we have a deficit of rest (and clarity!), and we fail to recognize the true power that rest holds.
What if I told you that taking time to rest could actually be the key to increasing your productivity?
Isn’t sleeping enough? Sleep and rest are not necessarily the same thing.
Rest isn’t simply the absence of tasks, activities, or work. Rest is a state of being that allows us to recharge our physical, emotional, and mental batteries.
In this blog post, we're going to explore the power of resting and how you can unplug, relax, and replenish in a busy world. So if you're ready to take a break from the hustle and discover the benefits of rest, keep reading!
Depending on our unique circumstances and individual needs, certain types of rest may be more effective than others in helping us recharge and replenish. There are several types of rest, including:
Physical rest: Allowing your body to recover from physical exertion, whether from exercise or simply from daily activities. It includes things like getting enough sleep, taking breaks throughout the day, and engaging in low-impact activities like yoga or stretching.
Mental rest: Giving your brain a break from constant stimulation, such as from work or social media. Consider taking short breaks throughout the day to clear your mind, practicing mindfulness, or simply setting aside time to do something that doesn't require a lot of mental effort.
Sensory rest: Reducing the amount of sensory input your brain is receiving is essential in today's “information-overloaded world”. Simple ways to get more sensory rest include spending time in nature, listening to calming music, or simply taking a break from screens and other electronic devices.
Creative rest: Taking a break from the constant pressure to produce and innovate. To get more creative rest, try engaging in a hobby or activity that you enjoy purely for its own sake, without any pressure to be productive or creative.
Emotional rest: Giving yourself permission to feel your emotions without judgment or pressure to "fix" them. You may consider talking to a trusted friend or therapist, practicing journaling or other forms of self-expression, or simply taking time to engage in activities that bring joy and relaxation.
Social rest: Taking a break from socializing and interacting with others. Try spending more time alone, saying no to social events when you need a break, and setting healthy boundaries with friends and family.
Spiritual rest: Taking time to connect with your sense of purpose, meaning, or faith. This may include practicing gratitude, meditation, or prayer, spending time in nature or with loved ones, or engaging in activities that give you a sense of meaning and purpose.
“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.” - Ovid
Rest is not a luxury or a sign of laziness. It’s a vital component for improving performance in every aspect of life. Without proper rest, your concentration and productivity will suffer greatly. Your mind and body need time to recharge and rejuvenate, which allows you to approach your life with renewed energy and clarity.
By now, you've probably gained a much deeper understanding of what rest truly means, the various forms it takes, and how it can have a profound impact on our lives.
To truly experience the incredible benefits that rest provides, it's crucial to prioritize it as an essential part of your routine. These benefits are numerous and include:
✔️ Improves physical health
✔️ Reduces stress and improves your overall mental health
✔️ Enhances memory and cognitive function
✔️ Increases the ability to solve problems
✔️ Increases energy levels
✔️ Boosts the immune system
✔️ Promotes a healthier body weight
✔️ Supports hormonal balance
✔️ Improves creativity
✔️ Increases focus and productivity
✔️ Helps cultivate deeper relationships
✔️ Fosters reflection and personal growth
✔️ Increases overall happiness
… and the list goes on and on.
Remember, rest isn’t something that you do only when you're done with everything else.
Planning and intentionally carving out time for rest it's a vital component of your success!
Think of it the same way you think about hygiene, for instance. Do you not take a shower or brush or teeth because it is a “waste of time”, time that you could use to do something else, something more “productive”? We make time and integrate physical hygiene into our daily lives (no matter how busy we are) because we understand its importance in our overall health and well-being.
Rest, a form of “mental hygiene”, is equally vital. Yet so many of us tend to undermine it, limiting our ability to thrive over time.
We can't reach peak productivity without proper rest.
So, don't make the mistake of neglecting rest and burning out. Instead, embrace it as an essential part of your journey to success!
Here are some quick tips to help you incorporate rest into your busy daily routine, so you can perform at your best:
Schedule quality rest time on your calendar, even if it's just for 10-15 minutes.
Practice saying "no" to non-essential tasks or activities that may take over your time.
Plan meals ahead of time to reduce stress and free up time for relaxation.
Take a walk outside to clear your mind and get some fresh air.
Try a power nap when you're feeling tired.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine that signals to your body that it's time to wind down and prepare for restful sleep. Avoid electronic devices before bedtime.
Take a digital detox by disconnecting from electronic devices and social media.
Practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or body scans to reduce stress and stay present.
Incorporate physical activity into your routine to reduce stress and promote better sleep
Learn to delegate tasks to reduce your workload and free up time for rest.
As we come to the end of this post, I would like to leave you with some questions to ponder upon:
On a scale of 1-10, how much do you prioritize rest in your life?
How often do you intentionally schedule time for rest and relaxation in your daily or weekly routine?
What type of rest are you needing this week?
I value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts. Share your answers in the comments section below!
Wishing you some well-deserved R&R,
Carolina
Mindful Productivity & Strengths-Based Coach | Founder of Be Well Simplify Life Coaching
I help overwhelmed millennials reclaim their time and leverage their strengths so that they can invest in what truly matters to them and wake up excited about their lives!
