Why Rest Is A Health Essential 

What happens when life gets busy? We make sacrifices to fit everything in, and unfortunately, rest is usually one of the first things to go. If you stay up a bit later, you’ll try to squeeze more into your evenings, and you’ll catch up on tasks over the weekend. Over time, you’ll submit to tiredness and make it the new normal. This has never been the way it’s meant to be. That said, let’s look at why rest is a health essential and how to get more of it. 

Rest Isn’t Just About Sleep

When rest is missing from your sleep, you might notice small things like being more impatient, less focused, and overwhelm. And that’s a big drain on energy. Sleep is crucial, of course, but rest is more than just that long stretch of unconsciousness. It’s also about giving your body and mind moments without pressure. You could slow down in the evenings, or try a calmer morning routine. Or perhaps you don’t fill every spare moment with something productive. These and other calming actions can help rest become a reality anytime of the day.

Downtime

Your body does much of its maintenance during periods of rest. This rejuvenation happens because your muscles relax, breathing slows, and stress levels begin to reduce. When you don’t give yourself enough downtime, your body stays in an alert state for too long.

There are various purposful tools that can help just about anyone. This depends on you and your willingness to change. I recommend starting with a few shifts to help you get started. These could include a relaxed wind down routine, less screen time, and having a consistent bedtime, for example. 

Comfort

Something to bear in mind is the fact that rest is a lot easier when you’re physically more comfortable, meaning that what you wear, how your bedroom is set up, and even the textures around you can all influence how well you can switch off. 

Something like changing into a cotton nightdress can let your body know that the day is done and it can relax. It’s like a little ritual, and not only will you automatically start to relax over time, but you’ll sleep better because you’ll be comfortable, so it’s a win-win. 

Mental Rest 

Being physically still doesn’t always mean your mind is resting – if you’re lying in bed replaying conversations or going through tomorrow’s to do list, your brain is still working (in fact, it’s working overtime). 

It’s not always easy to get mental rest, but things like reading, listening to music, or repetitive, low-effort activities can be good options. Additionally, you won’t be looking at a screen, which is an ideal way to get ready for bed. 

No, resting isn’t always easy, or even doable. The point is to make an effort whenever you can. Women with busy minds and lives find this challenging. Remember, your intention and effort mean you’re trying!