Key Takeaways:
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Feeling properly rested is about more than just getting sleep.
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There are 7 types of rest we need to nurture: 1. Physical, 2. Mental, 3. Emotional, 4. Spiritual, 5. Social, 6. Sensory, and 7. Creative.
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Resting requires a purposeful approach that fulfills all of the types of rest by establishing routines, rituals, mindfulness practices, and more.
There’s nothing like a good night's sleep, but as many of us unfortunately know, simply catching some Zs doesn’t always lead to feeling well rested. If you’re still exhausted no matter how much sleep you get, there’s a good chance you’re unknowingly neglecting other important forms of rest.
Here, we dive into all of the different ways to chill out and relax, so you can get the real rest that your body (and brain!) needs.
Types of Rest
It may come as a surprise, but sleeping isn’t the only way to rest, and in fact, it can’t be the only thing you do in order to feel truly rested. Most experts agree that there are actually seven different types of rest, and each one is necessary to feel properly energized.
Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD, author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, breaks down each category nicely.
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Physical rest: This rest helps our bodies recover. It can be done both passively (via sleep) and actively (via stretching, yoga, massages, etc.).
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Mental rest: Mental rest helps us reset the mental fatigue we build up after all of the projects, to-dos, and problems life likes to throw at us.
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Emotional rest: Life, both good and bad, can be emotionally draining. Emotional rest allows us to move away from that “just hold it together” feeling and enables us to be our authentic selves.
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Spiritual rest: This type of rest is all about nourishing your spirit, whatever that means to you. It can be anything from focusing on purpose, belonging, faith, love, etc.
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Social rest: Introverts and extroverts will likely have different approaches to social rest, but the idea is to take time away from draining social relationships, and instead focus on those that help recharge you…or — for our true introverts — just taking a night for yourself.
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Sensory rest: For a lot of us, modern life means constant screens and notifications. All of those things are draining, requiring us to make time for some sensory rest.
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Creative rest: Being creative isn’t just for artists; it’s something we all do to solve problems and come up with new ideas. Which also means that our creativity is something we need to rest in order to rejuvenate.
Hopefully, you’re starting to see why true rest means more than simply going to bed and waking up. And don’t worry, we aren’t going to leave you hanging with just the types of rest you need. Let’s take a look at how to properly get each type as well!
How to Rest
If the goal is to feel truly rested, hibernation levels of sleep and couch-rotting aren’t going to cut it. The sections below match up with the seven types of rest above, but many of them can overlap in the types of rest they help achieve.
Rituals and Routines
Routines are things we automatically do; rituals are things that require intent and meaning. To feel well rested, you need both. These rituals and routines can be customized based on your needs, but they are important in finding the consistency you need to feel rejuvenated.
Let’s look at how rituals and routines can help us rest:
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Nightly routines: Having a set nightly routine is a proven way to enhance the passive physical rest your body needs to recover. This will often look like having a set bedtime where you begin to wind down about 30 minutes prior to actually trying to fall asleep. So, pick a time every night when you brush your teeth, wash your face, put your screens away, and let your body know “hey, we’re going to sleep.”
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Daily rituals: as we mentioned above, physical rest encompasses both passive and active forms of rest. Daily Rituals are a way to help with active rest, such as practicing yoga, stretching, or some light exercise that you can stick to doing every day.
Mindfulness
Every day we’re bombarded with information, problems to solve, and decisions to make. It’s all mentally exhausting. Rituals, routines, and just good old sleep certainly help, but certain mindfulness practices can give us that extra bit of mental rest we’re missing.
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Meditation is a tried and true way to let go of all the chaos and get a mental reset. Just remember, this isn’t a one-time shortcut to feeling rested; the more consistently you do it, the more effective it will be. Don’t get hung up on different techniques- stillness and silence are all you need for a deep reset. Whether it’s two minutes or twenty, your body will thank you for it.
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Breathing exercises are another that is proven to help ease our minds. The most relaxing breathing exercise will be personal to you, but 4-7-8 belly breathing is an easy way to start.
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Purposeful breaks are necessary when you’re pulling long days of work, studying, or whatever life throws at you. This doesn’t mean getting distracted by scrolling on your phone, but rather setting aside scheduled times during the day where you gain some mental rest by doing things like short walks, breathing exercises, or just sitting outside (or near a window) and enjoying nature.
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Relaxing hobbies are another way you can get some mental rest. Whether it’s a calm bike ride, a fun book, or a little gardening, make time for hobbies that foster a calm mind.
Pairs with: Looking to enhance your mindfulness practices? Camino Wild Berry 'Chill' gummies are a perfect way to make any chill activity that much chiller.
Express Yourself
If you’re always the one to step up for others, or simply go along with whatever because you don’t want to make any waves, there’s a good chance “emotionally drained” applies to you. Being a people-pleaser isn’t a bad thing, but if you don’t find space to express yourself, you probably won’t ever feel emotionally rested.
So, whether it’s setting boundaries, speaking your mind, or finding a friend or professional you can open up to, honor your emotions and let your authentic self take charge when you’re feeling emotionally run down.
Feed Your Soul
Spiritual rest is one of the most personal types of rest, in that the things that nourish our souls can be so wildly different. Nonetheless, finding what feeds your spirit is a necessary part of rest. Look for the things that give you purpose, make you feel loved, and give you a sense of belonging.
Some examples include volunteering with a charity, spending time with loved ones, doing community activities, or just finding a peaceful place and taking it all in.
Learn to Say “No”
Someone once said, “saying ‘no’ to others is saying ‘yes’ to ourselves.” If your social battery is empty, it’s okay to say “no” and just have a night to yourself. Alternatively, if certain people give you energy while others take it away, you shouldn’t feel guilty saying no to a draining situation in favor of one that will help you feel reinvigorated.
Simply put, prioritize social engagements that give rather than take away (or just claim some “you” time).
Unplug
If you took someone from 50 years ago and dropped them into today’s age, they’d probably describe it as a sensory nightmare. From our phones to our computers and our TVs, there’s no escaping bright screens and the never-ceasing hums and pings of all our devices. It’s our new normal, but our brains aren’t wired for the constant stimuli.
Make a point to spend some time every day (especially before bed) with your notifications off and all of your screens put away. Blue light also disrupts sleep, so remember to turn your lights down or switch to candles or red light bulbs once the sun sets.
In Not Out
Whether you know it or not, there’s a lot more to being creative than being good at music or art. Every decision you make and every idea you come up with requires some level of creativity. So, whether you’re painting or problem-solving, you may need to rest your creative output in order to keep yourself fresh.
This can be as simple as taking things in (rather than forcing out creative ideas or works), like listening to music, visiting a museum, taking in a peaceful view, or anything that sparks a sense of wonder and inspiration.
Pairs with: Creativity is a flow of inspiration in and ideas out. Some might even say it’s a balance. Which is exactly why Camino Sours Orchard Peach 'Balance' gummies could be the ideal way to enhance both your creativity and your creative rest.
FAQs
Why don’t I feel rested even when I get a lot of sleep?
While sleep is an important part of your rest recipe (rest-ipe?), you need to find ways to help nurture all the different types of rest. Try to find things, whether it be meditation, yoga, nature walks, etc., that help you feel holistically refreshed. Also, be sure to establish healthy bedtime routines and daily rituals.
What are the best gummies for relaxation activities?
If you’re looking for a gummy to help boost your R&R, our top picks would be Camino Wild Berry 'Chill' gummies or Camino Sours Orchard Peach 'Balance' gummies.
Are there gummies that can help me sleep so I feel better rested?
While feeling well rested requires a holistic approach, no one can deny that sleep is a big part of it. If you need a little help getting some quality sleep, we recommend Camino Midnight Blueberry 'Sleep' gummies and Camino Sours Blackberry Dream 'Deep Sleep' gummies.
Cyrus Grant is a writer from Southern California with a background in law and dispute resolution. When he isn’t writing, he can be found deep-diving into the latest technology trends or simply spending time at the beach.
