The Seven Types of Rest – Which One (or ALL) do You Need Right Now?

It’s important to take time to rest, and Tasha Bailey, MBACP, a trauma and creative counselor in England, wants to remind you that there are several forms of rest to focus on – and that we need them all. She lists seven types, including a few you’re most likely familiar with and some you may not have heard of before: physical, mental, emotional, social, creative, sensory, and spiritual. She credits Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD, who laid out these classifications in her book Sacred Rest.

“The society we live in, especially now, demands us to be switched on and available all of the time,” Bailey said in an interview with POPSUGAR. “This has a huge impact on our brains and bodies, and without sufficient rest, we will eventually burn out.” She further said that she believes sensory rest is oftentimes overlooked. For instance, we tend to use social media and streaming sites like Netflix as a source of escape from our daily lives, she explained, but we don’t realize that “we are giving our minds even more stimuli to process.” We require rest from that stimuli to give space for inner reflection, she said.

Additionally, Bailey noted that spiritual rest can be one of the types of rest easily forgotten “because we so frequently link spirituality to religion, which might not fit for everyone. But spiritual rest is about realigning yourself to your purpose and mission on Earth, whatever that may be.”

Below is the breakdown for the Seven Types of Rest.  Which one (or all) do you need right now?

Physical Rest

Physical rest is exactly how it sounds. It means, Bailey wrote, “ensuring the body can recharge by allowing it to slow down and repair.” This could mean going to bed earlier, taking naps when need be, doing yoga, or making time for restful lunch breaks.

Mental Rest

Again, this is exactly how it sounds. Bailey stressed the importance of recharging mentally when it’s difficult to concentrate or we feel as though our observations are hypercritical and judgmental. Examples she gave are unplugging from your devices (think: TV and phone), trying affirmations, or putting on music. As for music, you can consider listening to some calming playlists.

Emotional Rest

Emotional rest means “offloading emotional baggage” and sharing your emotions with someone else who’s willing to listen. That could be, Bailey indicated, a therapist, close friend, or support group.

Social Rest

Social rest means “restoring ourselves through connecting with our tribe and mentors,” Bailey wrote, but it can also mean just reconnecting with yourself specifically.  Plus, remember that you can find connection even when being physically distant from others.

Creative Rest

Taking breaks from creativity in order to keep ourselves energized and find more inspiration is important. Bailey suggests removing ourselves from our own creativity and turning to the creativity of others: read a good book, go for a walk in nature, or look at artwork.

Sensory Rest

“Retreating from sensory overload by reconnecting with yourself,” Bailey described, is crucial. Some of the same tactics mentioned previously work for this: turning off your devices, getting fresh air, and journaling.

Spiritual Rest

Spiritual rest is the last form of rest highlighted by Bailey. “We need this to feel anchored and realigned with our sense of purpose and harmony,” she wrote. You can read scriptures or philosophy writings, go out and volunteer, or meditate.

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