In a hectic world, simply resting is sometimes difficult to do. Sure, for some, taking a nap or lounging around with a friend is easy. But for those who can’t slow down, calm their minds, or stop working, rest is a challenge. What might help the people who can’t take a break is a reminder of all the benefits to rest. If you have trouble resting, truly think about some of these advantages and what they can add to your life.
It helps your body heal. No matter how much you think you can accomplish by pushing yourself again and again, biologically, the body and mind are not made to be constantly in motion every waking hour. In fact, studies show it best functions when you work in short sprints. When you work, play, and deal with stress in this way, taking a break, even if only for a few minutes, can be very restorative.
It reduces your overall stress load. Stress puts you in a fight-or-flight stage, which is the sympathetic nervous system at work. Resting does the opposite and engages the parasympathetic nervous system which is where our body calms down and repairs itself. Stress is normal and happens to everyone, and some people even seem to thrive on it. But, there are things our body needs to come back to a healthy place, and this is where rest comes in.
It makes your mind more creative. When we rest, we have time to think and reflect. And when make time for this valuable activity, our mind is freed up to be more creative. This isn’t just important for art or writing but also for problem-solving. Are you facing a tough life challenge that doesn’t yet have a solution? Even if it doesn’t seem like you can take the time, plan some regular mental and physical breaks in your day and see if a solution you hadn’t thought of presents itself.
You’ll ultimately be more productive. If you just go-go-go and keep pushing yourself, you may think this is the highest level of productivity you can achieve. But in reality, you’ll eventually fatigue your body and mind if you overwork yourself, especially on a regular basis. You’ll actually get more done if you plan some time to unplug. If you can’t take entire days off, set the alarm on your phone and take mini-breaks all throughout your day, every day. And hold yourself to it.
Your relationships improve. Slowing down and taking times of rest allows us to connect more with people we love. If we are always working and never take time to be still, we can’t have meaningful conversations with others that bonds us together. If you really must feel like you’re accomplishing something while you share with your loved one, try taking long walks together so you get some exercise in while you connect.
You’ll have more energy to deal with unforeseen crises. Maybe one of the more important reasons to make sure you are well-rested is that you’ll have the reserve to deal with any unforeseen emergencies that come up in your life. We all want to be present for people who need us, and if we are run down (and eventually sick) from overwork, then we can’t help others. This is one of the critical advantages of allowing our body to rest.
Something else to keep in mind is that rest is individual. For one person, rest may indeed be something active like leisurely walking through nature. For another person, it may look like meditating or taking a nap. A perfect example of this is one person may wake up from a nap refreshed while another’s day is ruined because they wake up groggy when they sleep during the day. These two people are going to view this resting activity very differently. Learn what’s most effective, but bottom line, make more time for the kind of rest that works for you, if you aren’t already. You’ll be grateful for the impact it has on your mental and physical health.
