The Importance of Rest
In order to grow, we need to make sure we take time to care for ourselves and that includes making sure we rest. The other day, I got my computer charger and it fell into my plant and it made me realize how sometimes I use technology to recharge but maybe that’s not what I actually need.
Like plants need water and sunlight, maybe we also need to take a note from the way nature grows. It may also feel like it is harder in the last few months to truly rest. I don’t know about you, but it feels like there is so much change going on in both my personal world and the external world. But more than ever in these times, rest is so essential and recharging needs to be a priority - especially for those of you who are going back to school and starting new routines in new environments.
Here are a few ways to find rest and recharge from Emily Torres at The Good Trade but again it might all be personal to you, so we encourage you to think about what rest means to you and how you can incorporate that into your life!
HOW TO ACTUALLY REST
It’s all well and good to set aside time on your schedule for “rest and relaxation,” but what does that even look like right now?
“Finding community, even virtually, is a critical step in reducing stress.”— ELIZABETH OHITO, LCSW
“Finding community, even virtually, is a critical step in reducing stress,” says licensed psychotherapist and Sad Girls Club consultant Elizabeth Ohito, LCSW. To restore ourselves—and to process the trauma and grief that this year has carried—Ohito recommends using mindfulness to help settle our nervous system. At-home yoga, meditation, and journaling are all restorative and soothing practices.
If you’re like me and have difficulty establishing a meditation practice, learn some simple breathing exercises that can support you no matter where you’re at or how little time you have available. Or, find out what active rest looks like for you—art therapy and walking meditation can be creative, active ways to refresh yourself. Studies show that spending as little as ten minutes out in nature can help reduce mental and physical stress, so walking, stretching, or sitting in a natural area is an excellent and accessible option.
Sleep also goes a long way in supporting our mental and emotional wellbeing. Practice good sleep hygiene, keep a sleep log, and prioritize a device-free bedtime routine.
The CDC has a comprehensive list of mental health resources and practices specifically for dealing with stress from COVID-19, and Headspace has a list of relaxation practices that I’ve bookmarked for frequent revisiting.
Finally, if resources allow, connect with a therapist online to create a personal rest plan that works for you.
A NOTE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REST
As I said earlier, you are not obligated to use rest to fuel your productivity if you don’t want to or cannot bring yourself to do so. Rest is worthwhile, no matter the intention. But stress-free leisure time is a privilege that not everyone has, so it’s essential to support rest in all its forms.
If you find yourself with hours of available time to explore self-restoration, consider how you might be able to support rest in your community. You can incorporate advocating for social change into your “why.” If you know that nine hours of sleep and an hour of journaling in the morning allows you to more effectively protest, call your representatives, or otherwise support your community, embrace it.
Or, maybe you can volunteer online or spend a few minutes (or more!) each day to call, email, and donate to social issues. Maybe that action won’t bring you restoration—but it might bring rest to someone else. Community care matters, right now especially.
If you’ve tried everything and still feel exhausted, release any self-judgment you’re carrying. It is not a failure if you are having a difficult time feeling rested. Do your best, and get help with the rest.
The well-worn saying is that “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” But the cup doesn’t have to be entirely empty before we fill it up again. Instead of draining ourselves, we deserve to have restorative practices that keep us filled up.