The 7 Types of Rest You Need In Your Life

Energy. It seems that no one can ever get enough of it, no matter how hard you try. The best way to get it is by replenishing yourself through proper rest, says Saundra Dalton-Smith, M.D., an internal medicine physician and the author of Sacred Rest. Sounds simple enough, right?

Note the keyword here is rest, not sleep. "Rest is not the same thing as sleep," notes Dr. Dalton-Smith. "Rest encompasses the restorative activities we do that help us refill our tanks, which become depleted throughout the day. It truly reenergizes us," she notes. If you've ever felt burnt out from work or over-stimulated from spending too much time on your phone, you'll likely agree that you need more than a bit of sleep to feel truly refreshed.

In her research, Dr. Dalton-Smith has found that most people have a rest deficit. "We live in a society that doesn't know how to not be busy. We're always working and using energy, so we're getting depleted," she explains.

And with the constant barrage of health scares, between COVID-19 variants and seasonal illness, it can sometimes feel impossible to turn your mind off. "We're under a lot of stress from all the uncertainty," agrees Dr. Dalton-Smith. "We don't know what's going to happen six months from now with the virus or with our jobs. There's a lot of anxiety that goes along with that. That's why it's especially important to learn how to get the right type and amount of rest," she notes.

Yes, there are different types of rest. Here, are all of the types of rest your body and mind need, and how to get enough of each kind.

The Different Types of Rest Everyone Needs

In her work, Dr. Dalton-Smith has identified seven types of rest everyone requires. However, how much and how often you need to replenish each type of rest varies from person to person. "One size does not fit all when it comes to rest. Everything you do draws from a different pool of energy. The best rest occurs when you revive the specific kinds of energy you regularly deplete," she explains.

These are the seven types of rest and what they entail, according to Dr. Dalton-Smith:

• Creative: Engaging with things that inspire and motivate you, such as nature and art.
• Mental: When you quiet your mind and focus on what's really important.
• Physical: Rest that relieves your body of muscle aches and tension and helps improve your sleep.
• Social: Spending time on relationships you cherish and engaging with people who enhance your life.
• Emotional: The ability to express your deepest feelings and be your genuine self.
• Sensory: Taking a respite from background noise, including negative self-talk and interaction with digital devices.
• Spiritual: Tapping into the feeling that you are part of something bigger, and having a sense of belonging and fitting in.

You may be experiencing a deficit in one or more of these areas. To find out what kind of rest you need to incorporate into your life, Dr. Dalton-Smith has developed an online Rest Quiz that you can take to adequately understand your specific rest deficit(s).

How to Get Each Type of Rest

Once you've identified the areas in which you're coming up short, you can start working on building them. "For instance, say you have a creative rest deficit," says Dr. Dalton-Smith. "Think to yourself: When do I feel energized and restored?" she recommends.

Then start finding ways to incorporate that activity throughout your day. "If you find being on the beach restorative, research shows that looking at a picture of that image elicits the same response," explains Dr. Dalton-Smith. Use a photo of a gorgeous, peaceful sand beach as your screen saver, and you'll get some creative rejuvenation whenever you look at it. Sounds small, but "little tweaks like that can go a long way," she says.

It's important to build up your rest at various points throughout the day so that you're always recharging, says Dr. Dalton Smith. Here are some of her best suggestions.

Mental Rest: Meditate

Studies show that practicing meditation — even focusing on a single word or thought even for just a few minutes — gives your brain a chance to settle down. Going for a run has a similar effect. Because it's a repetitive activity, your brain doesn't have to think about it, so the mind can wander and relax, says Dr. Dalton-Smith.

Physical Rest: Move

It may seem counterintuitive, but gentle movement improves circulation, which makes your body feel better, says Dr. Dalton-Smith. It's not about intense exercise in this case; instead, do activities that restore you physically and help you relax. Stretch, do restorative yoga, take a walk outside — these will all de-stress you and ease any aches you may be feeling.

Emotional and Social Rest: Share Your Feelings

Many people live under a level of constant stress related to their emotions, says Dr. Dalton-Smith. "We feel like we have to live up to a certain image or persona, which prevents us from telling other people what's really going on in our lives," she says. After keeping that image up for a while, it's easy to become afraid to be real and vulnerable, and that is exhausting.

"All of us need someone with whom we can be truthful and say, 'I'm not okay. I'm anxious. I'm scared,'" notes Dr. Dalton-Smith. "It could be a family member, a trusted friend, or a counselor — whomever you feel most comfortable with. Otherwise, you begin to feel like no one knows the real you. That's a very dangerous head space to be in, and it can lead to problems like depression," she adds.

Sensory Rest: Embrace Stillness

You're likely experiencing constant overload, but you may not realize it. "We live with bright lights and background noise, whether it's our kids yelling, traffic whizzing by, or our phones beeping," says Dr. Dalton-Smith. And that takes a toll. Each day, no matter how busy you are, find time to be alone in silence to recharge, she advises. Turn off the TV or the music and put away your devices. At night, when you go to bed, make sure the room is as dark and quiet as possible. Give your senses a chance to fully relax and recharge.

Creative Rest: Get Outside

Being in nature evokes wonder and inspiration — two things that are crucial for creativity, says Dr. Dalton-Smith. Some people also get those benefits from going to an art museum, listening to a symphony, or watching a theater performance. Find what flips your creative switch, and do it.

Rest Techniques to Use When Working

Don't sit glued to your desk for hours. You'll be more productive and feel energized and motivated if you practice these two simple techniques, says Dr. Dalton-Smith.

Take Regular Breaks During Your Workday

"Practice what I call flow-break cycles," advises Dr. Dalton-Smith. "For an hour and a half or two hours, do your work and really concentrate on it. When the time is up [set an alarm if you need to], take a few moments and step away from your screen. Pull your shoulders back and stretch. Do a few neck rolls. Get up from your chair, take a quick walk, get a glass of water. This will help you reenergize mentally, creatively, and physically," she notes.

Turn Off All Those Notifications

The beeps on your phone and computer are an unrelenting source of stress. "The fight-or-flight response kicks in whenever one goes off, and over time, that will start draining you and leave you fatigued," says Dr. Dalton-Smith. "Most of us need notifications only for text messages and phone calls. Switch off the rest," she recommends.

If you're required to check your email frequently for work (honestly, who isn't?), try what she calls time blocking — setting up three to five periods throughout the day to read and respond to emails. "That way, you're not getting that bing, bing, bing all day, causing the stress response to kick in," points out Dr. Dalton-Smith.