Now that we have started the 7th month of the year, we might be starting to feel a bit jaded, a lack of energy or at worse heading for burnout! It's time to pause and understand why ‘rest’ is an essential part of our wellbeing. 

‘Rest’ should be prioritised, and this is even more so for those that are feeling stressed or exhaustion. It is a crucial component of a balanced life. ‘Rest’ is important for both physical and mental wellbeing. 

Our bodies must repair itself and our minds need to process information and reduce stress. Adequate rest can improve our sleep quality, boost mood, enhance our focus and promote overall wellbeing.

Did you know that there are 7 types of ‘rest’?

Let’s look and see how we can avoid burnout and perform at our best! 
Below are the 7 types of ‘rest’, the signs that you need to ‘rest’ and how to get it for overall wellbeing!

Physical Rest

Signs you need it: Lack of energy. Aches pains and soreness.
How to get it: Aim for 7+ hours of sleep every night and nap if needed. Breathe, do yoga, or get a massage.

Mental Rest

Signs you need it: Limited mental energy. Feeling brain fog or haziness. Snap at people or get annoyed easily.
How to get it: Block times out to sit without distractions. Listen to music that soothes you. Meditation and prayer. 

Emotional Rest

Signs you need it: Excessive anxiety or worrying. Insecurity or self-doubt. Feelings of being overwhelmed.
How to get it: Avoid comparisons to others. Seek support. Remove energy drains such as people you feel are toxic or high maintenance.

Spiritual Rest

Signs you need it: Struggle to self-motivate. Feeling hopeless, trapped or insignificant. Feeling less satisfied with life.
How to get it: Practice daily gratitude. Volunteer, or work on purpose driven tasks.

Social Rest

Signs you need it: Feelings of loneliness. Detachment from family and friends. Finding it draining to spend time with others.
How to get it: One-to-one time with someone who recharges you. Space away from those who drain you. Joining a club or group of like-minded people.

Sensory Rest

Signs you need it: Eyes feel heavy or strained. Loud sounds bother you. Struggling to taste or smell things.
How to get it: Take time away from all screens. Change what’s bothering you i.e. lower background music, dim lights etc. Take time to sit softly and close your eyes for a minute.

Creative Rest

Signs you need it: Feeling like there's no free time in your day. Struggling to brainstorm. Struggling to appreciate nature around you. 
How to get it: Take small breaks (15 minutes during the day) and big breaks (annual leave from work). Spend carefree time outdoors. Spend time dancing, reading or going out to shows etc.

To make the second part of the year count and keep ourselves in good physical and mental condition, take time this month to ‘rest’. Re-charge yourself and you will avoid burnout and perform at your very best! 

Written by Paul Blackwood, our Training & Development Lead here at Lifelink.