Spotlight On: Restorative Rest
This is a photo from the Golden Circle in Iceland. I took a six day trip at the start of November and I truly switched off. It was a very active trip, I didn't sit around and do nothing. But I didn't think about work or any of my responsibilities back at home. The result? I felt simultaneously energised and also deeply relaxed.
Last month we wrote about allostatic load, the gradual wear and tear on your body over time caused by chronic stress. Many of us think we stop for Christmas, but our brains and bodies keep pushing, keep pumping that cortisol into our systems, causing that invisible damage. This festive period, consider the seven different types of rest and how you can get some of each:
1️⃣ Physical rest - this could be sleeping/napping, or it could be gentle stretching, getting a massage, or a slow walk in nature.
2️⃣ Mental rest - a break from cognitive load, decision-making, strategic thinking and constant problem-solving. Uninstall your Teams app, lock away your laptop and take a couple of days off from making any decisions other than which cheese to eat.
3️⃣ Sensory rest - relief from overstimulation, screens, notifications, meetings, noise, bright lights. Light a candle, put on some relaxing music, embrace the calm.
4️⃣ Emotional rest - space to express feelings honestly and stop performing or “holding it together”. Either alone or with a trusted loved one, take time to connect to how you really are. You can use the reflective questions above to help.
5️⃣ Social rest - time away from draining relationships and more time with energising, supportive ones. December can be full of social obligations so make sure you book in time with people who actually recharge your social battery.
6️⃣ Creative rest - restore your inspiration. Go to a gallery, cook something new, engage in something playful and joyful.
7️⃣ Spiritual Rest - connect to meaning, purpose, values, or something bigger than work. Check out our August newsletter for a Whole Self Audit template.
