Rest

“Have regular hours for work & play; make each day both useful and pleasant and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.” -Louisa May Alcott

How important is getting the proper rest in our lives? According to most psychologists and life coaches, it’s as important, if sometimes not more, than the hard work we put in. Of course a disclaimer here is neccessary. Rest does not equate to sheer laziness. There are specific attributes that differentiate between the two. Rest by definition is a byproduct of a strenuous effort put into any endeavor and can technically only take place after a certain amount of work. Laziness dismisses the idea of almost any work put in at all. With the definitions clarified, let’s proceed to the benefits of rest. Some of them might appear quite obvious but it’s important to note that there are people out there who pride themselves on not needing much rest. They boast about the ability to always be “on.” While energy is certainly vital, it’s important to remember that rest certainly contributes to that vitality. When we rest or take a break from something, we allow ourselves to internally process the preceeding events and store them in an adequate manner. And while doing so, we recharge ourselves physically as well as mentally. As oxymoronic as this may sound, rest has the same benefits of exercise provided both are well balanced. It helps us grow our bodies and minds stronger. Adequate rest has also been proven advantageous for mental health. Of course, to incorporate it for combating depression or anxiety, a more meticulous regiment, concluded by a healthcare professional, is required. Still, there are studies that have affirmed positive outcomes. The one thing on our part that I think is necessary is not to underestimate rest and to give it the attention it deserves. I’m sure there are people reading this post that think, “I sleep just like everyone else so I’m fine.” But different people need different amounts of rest and in different ways depending on their lifestyles. Rest need not just be sleep. It can even be relaxing on the couch, watching a movie or a TV show. The point is to divert attention away from the task at hand after providing the attention it needs first. How do you define rest? A good night’s sleep? Meditation? Just relaxing on a recliner and lost in thoughts? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below.