02 Mar Unlock the Power of Rest: Discover the Seven Types You Need
Do you feel exhausted, even after a good night’s sleep? It turns out that sleep is not the only form of rest that we need in order to fill up the tank and feel restored.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. From work to family obligations to social commitments, it can feel like there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done. This is why rest is so important. But rest doesn’t just mean sleeping or taking a vacation.
Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith
Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith is a doctor, author, and speaker who has identified and researched seven types of rest that we need in order to truly recharge and feel our best. In her book, “Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity” Saundra Dalton-Smith describes and explores the seven types of rest that we need in order to live a balanced and healthy life.
She also introduces these in her TEDx talk:
The real reason why we are tired and what to do about it | Saundra Dalton-Smith | TEDxAtlanta
The seven types of rest
These include:
Physical Rest
Including sleeping, napping, and engaging in gentle exercise such as stretching or yoga. Tips include:
- Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night
- Take a nap during the day if you feel tired
- Engage in gentle exercise such as yoga or stretching
- Take a hot bath or shower to help relax your muscles
Mental Rest
Giving your mind a break from constant stimulation and engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as meditation or reading.
- Take short breaks throughout the day to give your mind a rest
- Practice mindfulness or meditation
- Read a book or listen to calming music
- Try a brain teaser or puzzle to give your mind a break from work-related tasks
Sensory Rest
Reducing or eliminating exposure to noise, light, and other sensory stimuli that can be overwhelming.
- Turn off electronics and avoid screens before bed
- Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones in noisy environments
- Take a walk in nature to enjoy the calming effects of natural surroundings
- Use aromatherapy or essential oils to create a soothing environment
Creative Rest
Taking a break from creative work and engaging in activities that allow your mind to wander and recharge, such as spending time in nature or pursuing a hobby.
- Take a break from work or creative projects to do something different
- Engage in a hobby that doesn’t require creativity, such as gardening or cooking
- Take a day trip to a new place to explore and experience something new
- Spend time in nature and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings
Emotional Rest
Taking care of your emotional well-being and engaging in activities that promote positivity and emotional healing, such as spending time with loved ones or practicing self-care.
- Practice self-care, such as taking a relaxing bath or reading a book
- Set boundaries with people who drain your energy or cause emotional stress
- Spend time with people who uplift you and make you feel good about yourself
- Engage in activities that bring you joy and make you feel happy
Social Rest
Taking a break from social interactions that are draining and focusing on nurturing your own personal relationships and connections.
- Limit your time on social media or take a break from it altogether
- Schedule alone time to recharge and relax
- Say “no” to social engagements that don’t bring you joy or cause you stress
- Spend time with people who support and nourish you
Spiritual Rest
This type of rest involves taking time to connect with something greater than ourselves and engaging in activities that promote spiritual well-being, such as prayer or meditation.
- Take time to reflect on your beliefs and values
- Spend time in nature to connect with something greater than yourself
- Practice gratitude and focus on what you’re thankful for in your life
- Engage in a spiritual practice that brings you peace and comfort, such as meditation or prayer
Putting it into practice in The Guardian
In November 2021, in The Guardian, journalist Emma Beddington implemented Saundra Dalton-Smith’s seven types of rest into her own life and documented the results in her article: The seven types of rest: I spent a week trying them all. Could they help end my exhaustion?
She concludes: Do I feel more rested? I am not miraculously restored and razor-sharp, but that’s not a realistic goal, or even the aim of the book. It is another week of poor sleep, but I feel as if I have a bit more in the tank than usual, which is pleasant. I find it useful, too, to analyse what sort of tired I am, and to have a toolkit to address at least some kinds of fatigue.
The Rest Quiz
If you’re curious about which types of rest you may need more of in your own life, Saundra has created a rest quiz that can help you identify areas where you may need to prioritize rest. It takes just a few minutes to complete and the results are emailed to you straight away, pointing out specific areas that you may want to focus on.
With most of us not getting enough quality rest, Saundra’s work gives us a useful framework to see what additional tools we might be able to incorporate into our lives.
Interested in investigating this further?
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