Emotional rest

Many of us have tried to fix an ongoing lack of energy. We get more sleep, but then still feel exhausted.

Sleep and rest are not the same thing. We need equal restoration in the key areas of our lives.

Physical rest can be passive or active.

• Passive physical rest includes sleeping and napping.
• Active physical rest involves activities like stretching, yoga, and massage therapy to help improve the body's circulation and flexibility.

People who let conversations from the day fill their thoughts when they lie down to sleep often suffer from lack of mental rest. Despite sleeping eight hours, they still wake up feeling tired.

Schedule short breaks every two hours throughout your workday. Consider keeping a notepad by the bed to jot down any nagging thoughts that would keep you awake.

Bright lights, computer screens, background noise, and multiple conversations can cause our senses to feel overwhelmed.

This can be countered by closing your eyes for a few minutes in the middle of the day and unplugging from electronics at the end of the day.

This type of rest is essential for anyone who must solve problems or find new ideas.

Creative rest reawakens the wonder inside each of us. Allowing yourself to take in the beauty of the outdoors provides creative rest. Another simple way includes enjoying the arts.

When we fail to differentiate between relationships that energise us from those that exhaust us, we can suffer from a social rest deficit.

To experience more social rest, connect with positive and supportive people.

This is the ability to connect beyond the physical and mental and feel a deep sense of belonging and love.

To receive this, engage in something larger than yourself. Add prayer, meditation, and community involvement to your daily routine.