When you go to sleep, you do not shut down as a computer does — you are not an object that clicks on and off. Most people think that if they get enough sleep, they will reset their lives and restore their mental state. While quality sleep is beneficial, you are still a human being with conscious thoughts and needs.
There are several types of rest required for physical and mental restoration. If you try and go to sleep when your thoughts are buzzing and anxiously racing around in your mind, sleep will never come. Even if you manage to find sleep, it will be a restless sleep plagued by stress, and your brain needs time to rest with no distractions. When you carry that anxiety into sleep time, dreams can manifest the subconscious fears that build up throughout the day. It is important to relieve that stress and get quality rest when putting your head on the pillow. There are six types of rest you need, and here are some ideas to incorporate them.
Physical Rest
The proper amount of sleep is, of course, the best course scenario for a healthy mind. REM, or rapid eye movement sleep, is a type of sleep where muscles relax and dreams tend to be more vivid. REM sleep is where memories are consolidated and stored in long term memory. When a person misses their REM sleep cycles, some abnormalities occur, resulting in physical and emotional distress.
Creative Rest
Creative rest is the process of getting your creative juices moving. Set up a comfortable space with ambient light and a candle. Play soft music and allow your mind to flow while taking in the environment. Listen to the lyrics of your favorite song and conjure up unique visions—practice sketching or painting. Look up positive quotes and use colors to interpret how the quotes make you feel.
Spiritual Rest
Spiritual rest means putting aside all work with the idea of releasing anxiety, worry, and insecurity. Listen to a guided meditation focused on hopefulness and healing. Be still and let your spirit feel light and weightless. Think of nothing but pure light and try to tune in to the divine energy that lives within you. If you are part of a specific religion, read the holy book you abide by. Highlight the lines that stand out to you and pray or meditate on them. Use your voice to sing and rejoice. Lift your hands to the sky and notice the strength in your feet, legs, core, neck, shoulders, and hands. You are stronger than you think, and there is power in thought. Invite others to join you in spirituality or attend a local church. Getting involved with the community makes it easier to plug in and feel at rest with a supportive group.
Emotional Rest
Holding in emotions requires an enormous amount of effort, and suppressed emotions take a toll on the wellbeing. There is a correct time or place to express feelings, but many people do not know when or how to express those negative emotions.
First, be sure to give yourself time to write down your emotions from the past week in your journal. There may be some feelings you didn’t realize you were holding inside. If you feel like screaming, do so. If you feel like crying, do so. If you feel anger, release it in a healthy way by going to a gym and sprinting it out or punching a punching bag. Holding in emotions is similar to not cleaning out a wound — it becomes infected and begins to fester. In addition, make sure to release positive emotions as well. Laughter is said to be the best medicine and can reduce the stress response and increase resilience.
Social Rest
Social rest is exactly what it sounds like. If you are an introvert, go out into the world and flex your social muscle. Plan an activity with a friend or volunteer with new people. Rest the introvert in you and try out new situations. On the flip side, if you are an extroverted social butterfly, spend some time to yourself. Get to know yourself without having others influence your thoughts or actions. Treat yourself as you would treat a friend because it is you and your thoughts at the end of the day. Being your own best friend will bring more happiness than anything in the external world can.
In order to feel your best, you need the right amount and the right type of rest. Going to bed anxious leads to ineffective rest as restless sleep and racing thoughts will only result in exhaustion the next day. Rest is important for the entire human being — the physical, creative, spiritual, emotional, and social aspects. Proper rest results in a reduction in stress hormones and can recharge your ability to deal with life’s stressors and overcome burnouts. Quality rest can replenish relationships, careers, spiritual life, and overall health. Dedicating time to each area of rest promotes resilience and peace. In addition, creative and spiritual rest are helpful in formulating healthy coping strategies. If you are looking for deep rest and are struggling with anxiety and restless sleep, Rancho Milagro offers a variety of programs for you. At Rancho Milagro, we want you to learn to love yourself and give yourself the natural rest you deserve. Call us at (951) 526-4582 for more information about our treatments.