The importance of rest
People really are capable of great things, but pushing too hard can lead to tiredness, frustration, stress, anxiety, and even burnout. Prioritising rest isn’t just about taking a break; it’s about fueling the journey. Let’s explore how to balance workload and well-being.
This article aims to help identify why and when we should rest, and how to avoid real exhaustion by planning ahead! Just like we give our careers and other responsibilities enough importance to plan and schedule, rest should be given that importance too.
Why Do We Need Rest?
If left unrested, we can create long-term issues. One key symptom is high stress levels, which can wreak havoc on our bodies, contributing to exhaustion, burnout, and increased risk of mental health issues.
We are not robots – and even robots need to charge sometimes. The difference is that we need to unplug rather than plug in to recharge. 🙂
What is Rest?
Rest can be difficult to define as it’s different for everybody. One example, could be that introverts might feel charged after a nice evening inside, while an extrovert feels energised after spending a day with people.
Not only that, but people require different levels of rest, and it changes depending on the situation.
Keeping that in mind, these tips can apply to people in need of scheduling 5-minute breathers during their busy work days, to people who may need a day, a weekend or a whole month off to recharge.
Now, let’s talk about the ways we can rest.
Unplug
I’m starting off with this one because it’s essential in today’s world of adverts, fake ideals, constant communication, and dopamine hits. Do your days sometimes look like this: eight hours on a big screen, followed by going home and then staring at your small screen (smartphones)? If yes, then it’s probably a good idea to give your mind a break. Unplug from work chats, social media and screens. It’s a good first step, to disconnect ourselves from the fast-paced experience that is social media – to set our minds up for other engaging, relaxing and brain nourishing activities.
Sleep
Next up. Physical rest, (sleep) is crucial. This might seem like a no-brainer but it’s often overlooked. It helps us register and organise memories, improves judgment, immunity, and is key to physically healing our bodies. You won’t be able to relax properly if you’re heavily sleep deprived. Creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment, as well as making yourself accountable with a sleep schedule is a great start. There’s many detailed tips online on how to get more sleep, but if you find yourself struggling with chronic sleep issues, consult a doctor or sleep specialist. Medical checks and taking care of yourself in this aspect are also a vital part of rest.
Move! Even a little bit
You might be thinking, why should I move on a day I’m trying to relax? As always it depends on your situation and your fatigue level, but exercise has a truckload of benefits – and there’s no need to run a whole marathon to reap the rewards. Exercise reduces stress and helps your sleep quality for one. Just going for a relaxing walk or an other light activity is enough. Even walking for your take-out or doing house-chores counts. Bonus points however for exercising outdoors, in nature, and away from noise and bright screens. Stretching, yoga, cycling and swimming are also all fantastic ways to actively rest.
Be an Artist
Sometimes, we need to distract our active minds with unrelated activities. Even burnt-out artists can benefit from a change of pace. Drawing, painting, gardening, dancing, making questionable clay creations, baking, or reading can stimulate your mind positively. When we engage ourselves creativeley in something new, we’re still activating that creative part! This is especially helpful for other creatives. I usually find myself artistically inspired again when I do something completley different than the usual, and I learn things which can still be translated to my main expertise.
Now we know some ways to rest, but remember it differs for everyone. And one concept we have to keep in mind is – how can we prevent burnout in the first place?
The Right Balance
Schedule self-care, even if it feels selfish. Just as we hold ourselves accountable at work, we should do the same for our mental health. Block out time for exercise, coaching sessions, medical checks, art, and family time. By planning our rest time, we avoid getting completely exhausted and instead we create healthy cycles of bright and active fresh minds, followed by periods of rest and recharge.
