Recharge with the 7 Types of Rest

1. PHYSICAL REST

Your body needs time to recover, whether that means deep sleep or gentle movement. Physical rest helps restore energy and prevent burnout.

Examples:

• Get quality sleep or take a power nap

• Stretch, do yoga, or take a slow walk

• Take breaks from sitting too long

2. MENTAL REST

Feeling mentally foggy or overwhelmed? Give your brain a breather. Mental rest helps clear the clutter so you can think more clearly.

Examples:

• Set work boundaries (no emails after hours!)

• Take short breaks between tasks

• Practice mindfulness or deep breathing

3. SENSORY REST

Constant notifications, screens, and noise can be exhausting. Sensory rest means reducing the overload so your nervous system can reset.

Examples:

• Silence notifications and take screen breaks

• Spend time in a quiet, dimly lit space

• Use noise-canceling headphones or nature sounds

4. CREATIVE REST

Stuck in a rut? Creative rest isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about refueling your imagination by experiencing beauty, inspiration, or wonder.

Examples:

• Take a nature walk or visit an art gallery

• Listen to music or read something inspiring

• Change your surroundings to spark new ideas

5. EMOTIONAL REST

When you’re constantly managing emotions (yours or others’), you need space to be your true self. Emotional rest helps you release built-up stress.

Examples:

• Talk openly with someone you trust

• Write in a journal to process feelings

• Set boundaries with energy vampires

6. SOCIAL REST

Not all social time is energizing. Social rest means balancing time between people who uplift you and stepping back from relationships that drain you.

Examples:

• Spend more time with supportive friends

• Say no to social obligations that feel exhausting

• Take solo time when you need it

7. SPIRITUAL REST

Feeling disconnected or unfulfilled? Spiritual rest helps you reconnect with meaning, purpose, and something bigger than yourself.

Examples:

• Spend time reflecting on what truly matters to you

• Meditate, pray, or practice gratitude

• Volunteer or do acts of kindness

Based on the work of Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith