What is your body telling you this week? What is it trying to point out to you that you need in terms of rest? Where are you depleted? And what can you see about which rest need are you missing?
My current musings are working my way through the Seven types of rest that we need, as identified by Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith. Understanding that we can be tired in different ways and therefore that we need different types of rest has been something of a game changer for me. It allows a level of awareness and proactivity that puts us back in control of our bodies, minds and souls. Which rest are you missing?
The first type of rest is physical rest.
This makes sense, and is probably what we think of first when we consider rest. What is interesting is to consider what physical rest means for you. It may well not simply mean sitting and physically resting – that is not always restful, especially if you are someone who’s mind is very active. Sitting down and doing ‘nothing’ may actually drive you nuts.
Which is not restful.
Last year, I went to see a physio at a local sports clinic for help with a chronic shoulder problem that had become acute. I used to be a physiotherapist, so it was very evident very quickly from her initial assessment that – basically – my whole shoulder complex and mid back was gubbed.
[For my American readers, ‘gubbed’ is a Scottish term that basically means having fallen into a state of disrepair/damage and can go no further.]
Not a technical term, but you get the picture.
My lovely physio, Kirsty, after getting some history of how I had basically kept going for years despite increasing muscle imbalance, poor posture and tightness, gently observed:
Your body has run out of compensatory mechanisms.”
Hmmm.
I had very definitely not been paying attention to what my body was telling me about what it needed.
Physical rest is about using our bodies in ways that restore and relax, reduce tension and help us to sleep better. It is an intentional way to reconnect our bodies and our minds in ways that restore and bring balance. This will be different for all of us, and that is ok. For me, Pilates has been a gift that keeps on giving, bringing new non judgemental awareness to how I am, better symmetry, improved posture and muscle balance. And a tool to keep coming back to when I notice I am getting out of balance in my body.
What does your body respond well to? What allows you to feel rested and reduce tension in your physical body? Pay attention, and give your body some love before you too run out of compensatory mechanisms.
The second type of rest is Mental rest.
This will come as no surprise either. Our brains are often completely overloaded with To-Do lists, mentally demanding work, overthinking patterns and self-criticism, endless planning. This mental chatter is exhausting and diminishes our concentration. Mental rest is about quieting that noise and switching off from mental overload.
Taking regular short breaks, especially from screen working, and a quick brain dump onto paper at the end of the day can help. Starting to talk to ourselves more kindly and with more respect to begin to quieten the inner critic.
Learning to sit in silence, even if only for a few minutes, can have a profound effect on our jangled up minds. Or going for a walk – links with physical rest – but without having anything in our ears. Simply listening to the sounds around us and allowing our minds to wander freely.
The third type of rest is Creative rest.
I am learning that for me, this is the best way to get mental rest. Emptying our minds is generally not possible. Creative rest is about choosing to focus on something completely different that is inspiring and creatively stimulating. This uses a different part of our brains, and allows the overthinking planning part to have a rest.
For me, a totally absorbing craft like sea glass pictures or decoupage really hits the spot. And having recently joined a choir, I find that learning complex parts quickly allows my brain no time at all for To Dos, rumination or negativity and brings so much joy.
Creative rest is not necessarily about doing something creative. It is simply the acknowledgement that being in the presence of something beautiful, inspiring, and soul-expanding is good for our busy, noisy and often screen-filled lives. Art, music, nature – a little time in any of these can bring the creative rest we crave.
Which rest need are you missing?
We have limited resources. Our lives demand a lot of us – we often take our bodies for granted and expect them to just keep up with all the demands we place on them. Thinking, planning, daily work and the complexities of our normal lives heap huge mental demands on our brains. And any activity that requires us to use our imagination and inventiveness will deplete our creative resources. Reconnecting with awe, joy, wonder and curiosity are not indulgences, but necessary to restore and revitalise our creative selves and prevent the depletion of inspiration and motivation that comes with creative fatigue. And time giving our minds and bodies the rest they need is necessary to allow us to thrive and not just survive in life.
What one small thing can you do this week to address the rest need that you have identified? And there are more types of rest coming soon.
