Do you see rest as something you have to earn by working hard? I hear this all the time in my treatment room, and it’s a mindset that can take its toll on our health and wellbeing.
I have to confess that I fell into this trap for years. I would work long hours all week and then rush around all weekend doing chores. I would think I was being lazy if I sat down to see my book in the afternoon.
But this is what I’ve come to understand: rest is just as important as eating well, exercising, and brushing your teeth! Yet, it’s so often pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.
And it’s easy to see why. We live in a world that glorifies being busy. Productivity is seen as a badge of honour, and from a young age, we’re encouraged to keep busy and work hard. We’re told that if we aren’t busy all the time we’re being lazy and we’ve probably all heard the scary proverb about the Devil finding work for ‘idle hands’!
How often do you ask a friend how they are, and they say, “I’m so busy”? That tells us what they’re doing, but not how they’re feeling.
Now, don’t get me wrong, we have to be realistic. We all have bills to pay and responsibilities to juggle. Having purpose in life and motivation is very important. But so is rest.
What if we turned it on its head? Instead of seeing rest as something you can only enjoy after ticking everything off your ‘to-do’ list, what if you made it a daily priority? Another phrase that we often hear is, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It might be a cliché, but there’s truth in it.
Rest isn’t selfish, and it’s not lazy. Rest helps you recharge your energy so you can be there for the people and things that matter most. Ironically, it helps you to be more productive in the long run.
It’s a time when your body can repair itself (often referred to as the ‘rest and digest’ state) – your nervous system has a chance to settle, your muscles can relax, and all the maintenance jobs that keep you going can happen.
Without rest, it’s like running your phone on 1% battery all the time—you just can’t function at your best.
If you are someone who is constantly on the go, rest may not come easily to you. You might even feel guilty about the idea of ‘doing nothing’. Like most things, there is no ‘one-size fits all’ version of rest. It can look different for everyone.
Did you know, there are actually 7 types of rest?
Physical – taking a nap, gentle stretching, having reflexology, going for a walk
Social – avoiding social situations or spending time with people who light you up
Mental – taking a break at work, turning your phone off, avoiding social media
Emotional – spending time alone, journalling, talking to a friend
Sensory – closing your eyes, listening to calming music or silence, deep breathing, taking a bath
Creative – doing an activity you enjoy – knitting, drawing painting, gardening, cooking
Spiritual – meditating, spending time in nature, praying, practicing yoga
The important thing is to find what works for you. It doesn’t have to take hours—start small. Try five minutes of stillness during your day or set aside a little time for something that feels restful to you. You might be surprised at how much of a difference it makes.
I’m a simple soul and so is my approach to rest. My favourites are taking 15 minutes out to sit quietly with a cup of tea, a Sunday afternoon stroll in nature, half an hour reading on the bed, pottering in the gardening, and, of course, reflexology!
It’s okay if it feels strange or uncomfortable at first. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel. And you don’t need to justify it to anyone—rest is something you’re allowed to have, no questions asked.
