The 7 types of rest we're not getting

The 7 types of rest we're not getting


Here’s a scary pattern I’ve been noticing in many of my conversations with you folks this week.

First, a client replied to my admin email while "on holiday in Bali".

"Oh my goodness, what are you doing checking emails?" I asked, barely disguising my incredulity - even though I've definitely done this myself. (It's great up here on my high horse, thanks for asking.)

"Hah, I’m scrolling spa treatments and best brunch spots . Don’t worry , I’m def in holiday mode." she assured me.

Then I called another and it turned out he was sick.

"It's okay, I'm still happy to talk," he wheezed at me. He stopped talking part-way through the call and I thought the line had gone down. But no...

"Sorry," he said, "I'm just working on a report due to the Board for next week."

Later, another client told me he's NOT TAKING ANY TIME OFF WHEN HIS CHILD IS BORN this week!

(Sorry about the caps lock, but what the heck?)

Seriously, why do we find it so hard to rest?

Everybody deserves rest. And we know it's important... but we're not very good at it, are we?

We're so wired to be productive that slowing down feels stressful, not restful.

As a recovering workaholic, I'm still learning this the hard way.

Recently, I came across the idea that there are at least 7 different types of rest that all help to keep us healthy.

At the time, my sarcastic response was: Oh great, so now there's 7 different ways I'm not resting enough... thanks for that.

But I'm slowly coming around to the idea because it means rest can take different forms - some of which may suit you better than others.

How might we bring more rest into your week?

Below are the 7 types of rest I learned about from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith. Have a read and perhaps just choose one area where you might put a bit more focus and energy:

  • Physical Rest: What's your sleep like? Are you permitting yourself a good nap here and there? What about active recovery with things like yoga and stretching?
  • Mental Rest: How could you create some space to clear your mind? (With no cellphone or notifications interrupting you....)
  • Emotional Rest: How could you give yourself a chance to feel your feelings - and process them healthily?
  • Social Rest: Who do you love spending time with? (And how could you minimise time spent with people who drain you?)
  • Sensory Rest: How could you reduce the sensory overload from devices, loud noises, and bright lights? (And how might you spend more time in a healthy, natural environment?)
  • Creative Rest: How could you create time for creative pursuits and playful thinking?
  • Spiritual Rest: How could you connect with something bigger than yourself - whether through meditation, prayer, or contemplation?

I was talking about this with my wife Ellie this week and she said: "Yeah, but Paul I'm an active relaxer. I get cabin fever if I sit in the house for too long."

That's great! There's no right or wrong way to rest. Find what works for you - and do more of that.

Because while your work matters, so does your health and wellbeing!

The work will still be there later on...

But your holiday won't. Your health might not be. And your newborns certainly won't be newborns anymore. (How are mine 6 and 4 already?!)