Fixing burnouts — 7 types of rest
Ever found yourself glued to your computer screen, seemingly for an eternity, with nothing to show for it? Yep, that was me a while back. There I was, staring blankly at my screen with 20 open tabs, my mind dead shut. Was I facing creative burnout?
When you're creatively spent, it feels as if your mental gears have frozen solid. It's like when you're binging your favorite show and suddenly you hit the 'Pause' button. Or, for those of us who remember, it's like being caught in a game of 'Statue' when we were kids.
These are the times your mind is demanding more than a good night's sleep.
But guess what? Physical and creative burnouts aren’t the only variant we humans grapple with. According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of the book Sacred Rest, we need to experience seven different types of rest! Your needs might vary based on the kind of burnout you're dealing with.
Let's dive into these seven rest types and find out how and when you might need them.
Physical Rest
Signs: Feeling physically exhausted or experiencing muscle tightness and pain.
Remedies: Try passive rest (sleeping or power napping) or active rest (restorative activities like stretching, yoga, massages, sauna, etc.)
Mental Rest
Signs: Difficulty focusing, irritability, forgetfulness, feeling like you're in a brain fog even after a good night's sleep.
Remedies: Take frequent breaks from work, at least every couple of hours. Jot down your fleeting thoughts or to-dos in a notepad or your phone.
💡 Tip: I like to WhatsApp myself random thoughts and ideas that spring up when I’m not in front of my computer screen. It declutters my mind and saves me from ‘I had this great idea I forgot!’ moments.
Sensory Rest
Signs: Feeling overwhelmed with bright lights, screens, electronics, or continuous streams of conversation or meetings.
Remedies: Take a minute every now to close your eyes and breathe deeply. Plus, unplug from all devices at least an hour before sleep.
Creative Rest
Signs: Your mind feels barren and new ideas are scarce.
Remedies: Try a nature walk, play with your pet, or spend time with kids. Also, exercising, gardening, or taking a relaxing shower can do the trick.
Emotional Rest
Signs: You're always there for others but feel like you're neglecting your own needs. People find you as the nicest person. You’re doing a lot for others and not much for yourself.
Remedies: You need space and time to vent out exactly how you feel. Prioritize your emotional needs over people-pleasing. It's okay to say no sometimes.
Social Rest
Signs: You feel drained by certain interactions and relationships.
Remedies: Focus on relationships and interactions that are fulfilling and reduce those that exhaust you. Cut short the meetings that are draining. Switch to ‘video’ when you call your buddy for a more meaningful conversation.
Spiritual Rest
Signs: Feeling a lack of purpose in life.
Remedies: Contributing to your community or helping those in need can be fulfilling, irrespective of your religious beliefs.
It's important to take care of yourself and rest in the way you need.
Here's to a more rested and revitalized you!