We at Gabby Cares value rest so much. We advocate for constant breaks, breathers, and vacations. You not only deserve rest, but you also need it to fully function. Our society today does not always prioritize rest because it tends to place a high value on productivity, achievement, and success, often equating these things with busyness and constant activity. Many people believe that the more we do, the more successful we will be, and that rest is a luxury that can be sacrificed in the pursuit of these goals.
We also fully understand that resting may not always come easy because:
Some people may not have the resources, support, or flexibility in their lives to prioritize rest. For example, those who work multiple jobs or have caregiving responsibilities may find it difficult to take time off for rest, and those who lack access to safe and affordable housing, food, and healthcare may experience chronic stress and exhaustion that make rest seem out of reach.
Some people feel guilty or anxious when they take time off from work or other activities, feeling that they are not being productive or contributing to society in a meaningful way. This mindset can lead to a culture of overwork, burnout, and chronic stress, where rest becomes a scarce resource that only those who can afford it can access.
Some people associate resting with being unproductive or lazy. They believe that rest is only possible when all their work and responsibilities are done, and they have some spare time or resources to devote to relaxation.
Rest does not have just one face where you sit and do nothing or go on getaways. By exploring these ten types of rest, we hope you can learn to seek rest in different ways that fit your lifestyle, work, beliefs about rest, and resources. Rest is not a luxury but a necessity. A body and mind that are not rested are ticking time bombs because they might reach their breaking point at any time. You don’t need to earn rest, you need to prioritize and schedule it.
Physical rest: Take a break from physical activity and allow your body to recover and recharge. This is essential for repairing and regenerating tissues in the body and reducing inflammation and muscle tension. It can take forms like sitting, lying down, sleeping/ napping, gentle walks, yoga, and restorative practices such as stretching, massage, or taking a hot bath.
Mental rest: Take a break from mental activity and allow your mind to relax and recharge. This is important for reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing cognitive function, and improving overall mental health and well-being. Activities can include deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, or creative activities like drawing.
Sensory rest: Give your senses (taste, smell, sight, hearing, touch) a break from stimulation. This is important for reducing sensory overload and fatigue, improving sleep quality, and enhancing overall sensory processing and perception. Activities could be taking a break from technology, detoxing from social media, wearing earplugs/eye-masks when you sleep, reducing background noise, and switching off the lights.
Creative rest: Take a break from everyday tasks and allow your mind to engage in creative activities that inspire and rejuvenate you. Creative rest is essential for boosting creativity and enhancing problem-solving abilities. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance self-expression, and increase feelings of happiness and fulfillment. Activities include playing an instrument, painting, writing or simply engaging in a hobby that you enjoy.
Emotional rest: Take a break from emotional labor and allow yourself to process and recover from emotional experiences. Emotional labor can include managing your own emotions or managing the emotions of others in personal or professional settings. This can help to reduce feelings of overwhelm or emotional exhaustion, enhance empathy and compassion, and improve your ability to connect with others in a meaningful way. You can talk to a therapist or a trusted friend, take a break from social interactions, or engage in self-care activities such as taking a bath or practicing yoga.
Social rest: Take a break from social interactions and allow yourself to recharge and recover from socializing. Social interactions can be stimulating and demanding, and social rest is necessary to balance the benefits and drawbacks of social engagement. Social rest is essential for reducing stress and burnout, enhancing social skills, and improving overall mental and emotional well-being. Social rest can take forms like giving social media a break, avoiding large crowds or noisy environments, or engaging in solo activities such as reading or taking a walk in nature.
Which kind of rest do you need to give more priority to? Remember to incorporate them into your everyday routine so that it feels natural. For example, you can take sensory rest 2 hours before bed where you switch off all your devices and slow down for the day. Another example is you can wake up earlier to spend some alone time as a form of social rest before you go out into the world and meet people. Rest is fundamental, don’t shelve it.
Starting therapy is the best mental health decision you can make for yourself this year. Contact us today and we'll discuss your needs as well as answer any questions you might have about cost, length of treatment, and coordinating services.
We treat these common concerns:
Depression
Anxiety and Phobias
Relationship Difficulties
Life Transitions
Difficulties with Self-Esteem
Eating Issues
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Professional/Career Issues
College/Graduate School Issues
Medical and Health Concerns
Pain Management
Stress Management
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Sexual Abuse
Spirituality
Gender Identity Support
LGBT Counseling
Grief, Loss, or Bereavement
Other Issues