I think sometimes the best training is to rest – Cristiano Ronaldo
Rest or Rust
How many hours of sleep do you get each night? According to the Mayo Clinic, adults need seven hours of quality sleep each night. Notice that the quality, not just the quantity, matters. Interrupted sleep, no matter how long, doesn’t provide the mental and physical benefits we desperately need. Lack of enough sleep has a detrimental effect on our lives. Rest helps reduce stress which, when we are exposed to it in high amounts, creates the same effect that rust has on metal. Rust is the corrosion of metal due to exposure to water and oxygen. This corrosion has a depreciating effect on metal, making it weak. This corrosion or rust is called oxidation. Similarly, when we don’t get enough rest, the stresses of life we are continuously exposed to cause “oxidation” in our minds and bodies, suppressing our immune system and increasing our risk of disease.
When we don’t get enough rest, the stresses of life we are continuously exposed to cause “oxidation” in our minds and bodies, suppressing our immune system and increasing our risk of disease.
Rest and Be at Your Best
The power of rest is often underestimated. We are constantly bombarded with messages telling us to be more productive, to work harder, and never to stop. But what if the secret to a truly successful and fulfilling life is to rest more? It’s a difficult concept in a world that tugs and pulls us to be busy. There are many benefits to resting. It can help us to:
- Improve our physical health. Rest allows our bodies to repair and rejuvenate themselves. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Improve our mental health. Rest helps us to clear our minds and focus better. It boosts creativity and productivity. Rest helps us find creative solutions and even break through mental blocks. Better decision-making is also enhanced when we’ve had enough rest. When you “sleep” on a decision, you are more likely to make a quality one after you wake up.
- Improve our social health. When we are well-rested, we are better able to connect with others and build strong relationships. Lack of enough rest makes us irritable.
- Improve our overall well-being. Rest can help us to feel more energized, positive, and optimistic.
Without rest, we cannot be at our best. Our productivity and health rise and fall in concert with the prioritization and intention we give to resting. How can we prioritize rest?
Take mental breaks throughout the day: When I sit in front of my computer to start work in the morning, I can go from meeting to meeting without realizing that I have been sitting for hours. I’m learning that short mental breaks throughout the day help me to refresh mentally and clear the backlog of mental stress that is piling up. The few minutes I take allow me to come back to work better.
Have an exercise routine: Yes, exercise is a way of resting because it has rejuvenating benefits on the body and mind. I’ve discovered a laser-sharp focus on the days I exercise. It could be a short walk, run outside, or a workout in the gym, but a habit of exercise can boost your overall health and even help you sleep better at night.
Find relaxing activities: Find an activity that will leave you refreshed and recharged instead of drained. Reading is an activity that helps me rest while also providing paths to more creative and reflective thinking. Reading helps stimulate my mind while refreshing it. I also found that engaging in family activities outside the house is another way of relaxing and resting.
Maintain a Sleep Schedule: Prioritization requires consistency. Good sleep begins with your habits before you sleep. I am a culprit for having screen time before bedtime, which is ill-advised. According to an article on Forbes on the importance of sleep, unplugging electronics 30-60 minutes before bedtime aids in quality sleep.
Final Thought: The power of rest comes down to prioritization, intention, and consistency. Create a habit of rest, and it will pay back in the dividends of focus, reduced stress, and reduced risk for chronic disease. Just as we charge our devices to ensure they work optimally, so should we prioritize resting to recharge and be at our best physically, mentally, and relationally.
Keep on keeping on.
Notes
Discover Your Treasure 