Rest is more than just sleep. We also need to pause mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Benefits of RESTING your body and brain on a regular basis:
| Improve memory and brain function | Decreases food cravings |
| Optimizes ability to process ideas | Reduces risk for disease |
| Decreases depression | Regulates mood |
| Alleviates anxiety | Promotes alertness |
| Increases physical energy | Lengthens life |
Here are some ways to engage in PHYSICAL rest:
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Go to bed and rise around the same time each day.
- Increase exposure to natural light during the day. Spend more time outside (especially in green spaces).
- Ensure 7-8 hours of sleep nightly.
- Move your body on a regular basis. Physical activity helps the body achieve deeper levels of restoration.
- Minimize light. Get your room as dark as possible.
- Cool your room to temperatures between 65-68 degrees F.
- Reduce caffeine intake. Minimize overall and limit to earlier parts of the day (before 3:00pm).
- Minimize electronic use within 2 hours of sleeping.
- Store your phone in another room.
- Limit naps to 45 minutes and avoid after 3:00pm to ensure readiness at night.
Here are some ways to engage in MENTAL rest:
- Enjoy natural down-time. Unplug from stimulating electronics to decompress the mind.
- Practice silence.
- Honor your body’s need for regular sleep. Can’t be your best without good rest.
Here are some ways to engage in EMOTIONAL rest:
- Set boundaries in relationships. You can’t be everything to everybody.
- Practice self-affirmations.
- Learn to say “no”. You can do anything, but not everything.
Here are some ways to engage in SPIRITUAL rest:
- Take time to focus on connecting to your higher power.
- Ground yourself through deep breathing, meditation, and/or prayer.
- Contemplate words of wisdom.
