The 7 different types of rest
Back when I was growing up I was only aware of physical rest. Turns out there is much more we need as humans to effectively rest and recharge. We are now overstimulated 24/7 and that is the real reason behind the multiple burn outs people experience sometimes several times a year. Getting 20 days off a year or even 2 days every week are not sufficient rest because we no longer know how to rest.
There are in fact 7 different types of rest and you can read a bit about them here:
Physical rest
Physical rest can be both active and passive. The passive includes good quality sleep, while the active is all about providing our body with much needed movement- yoga, stretching, massages and more.
Mental rest
The brain is most creative when it is allowed a “freefalling.” That is why is often come up with our best ideas when we are driving, when we are under the shower or when we are engaged in an entirely different activity. Our brain never completely stops, even when we sleep it continues to work on the issues and matters that are important for you and the questions we are looking to get answers to. Therefore, we need to schedule such a time where the brain is allowed to just wonder around and rest.
Social rest
Yes, humans are social beings but we need to recharge too and that often happens when we get alone time home. That is why it is so important for our home to support us through our most difficult moment. Every item we have carries a certain energy and when we care for things, they care for us too. This has been proven through multiple tests on what the results are when we speak to our water, plants, rice… or when we play them music. Love is all around us but it is up to us to nurture it and create more space for it to grow and expand, including in our own hearts.
Emotional rest
We often supress our emotions and over time it can become too much to carry. A way to gain emotional rest is through expressing your feelings – it can be through words, movements, painting. The need for emotional rest is especially pressing for people who often engage in people- pleasing behaviours.
Spiritual rest
A sure sign for the need of spiritual rest is the feeling for lack of purpose and belonging. Spiritual rest can be granted through different practises such as prayer and meditation. It is deeply connected to out need for belonging so actively engaging with something greater than us, such as a community can be beneficial.
Sensory rest
Sensory rest is out time off the phone, the TV and the computer, all of which create a constant sensory stimulation. This constant engagement with noises and colours in the long run drains our energy and makes us more irritable and anxious.
Creative rest
This is what we aim for your home – to become a calm and inviting space where you can feel inspirited. Creative rest is experienced when you are able to appreciate beauty in any form – the music of the birds, the colours of the forest or the inspiring piece of art at home.
