Tired? There are 7 types of rest, which do you need the most?

Are you experiencing a deep sense of fatigue or tiredness which doesn’t seem to be resolved by sleep? If so, it might be that the kind of rest you are offering yourself isn’t what you truly need right now; proper relaxation takes many forms.

Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith identified seven ‘types’ of rest that the body and mind need to thrive; that when one or more is lacking, a person may experience a ‘rest deficit’, feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and burnt out.

If any of this sounds familiar, read on to discover the seven different types of rest. You can then begin to identify areas of your life which you might want to focus on rest and prioritise self-care accordingly.

1. Physical rest

This could look like passive rest (high-quality sleep or napping) or active rest (yoga, stretching, a massage).

2. Mental rest

If you frequently find your mind racing or struggle to concentrate, you may need to give your brain a break from the inner chatter or from trying to focus on too much at once.

3. Social rest

If you feel socially drained, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to withdraw from others entirely but instead need to spend time with life-giving people; those who pour into you rather than taking away.

4. Spiritual rest

This often feels like a sense of purposelessness or meaninglessness. A remedy for this can be to connect with something larger that matters to you – be that through community, work or religion.

5. Sensory rest

If you find yourself overwhelmed, agitated, or angry by the sounds of your phone ringing, notifications pinging, or bright lights on your screen, you may need to give your senses a break from digital overstimulation.

6. Emotional rest

Perhaps you’re the ‘go-to’ person for shouldering the emotional labour of those around you and that weight is getting heavy. If so, it might be time to stop prioritising the needs of others above your own and to start expressing what you’re truly feeling.

7. Creative rest

If you’re finding problem-solving, independent thought, or innovation difficult, you may benefit from creative rest. This doesn’t just involve expression through art, but is instead about reawakening inner awe and wonder – be that through nature or hobbies.