How to avoid burnout- apply the 5 Types of Rest
In our turbo-charged world, balancing work and family life can feel like a circus act, complete with juggling flaming torches and walking a tightrope. The endless responsibilities can leave us feeling like wrung-out dishcloths… TGIF, right?
My love, there IS a secret weapon to reclaiming our sanity and energy: REST (who would have thought?) But not just any old rest—we’re talking about the five-star, all-inclusive resort of rest.
You may be rolling your eyes right now, thinking HOW the F can I add one more thing to that “to-do” list… I’ve got you, boo. Let’s dive into mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual rest, and how we can sneak them into our chaotic lives.
Mental Rest: Give Your Brain a Siesta
Entrepreneurs, mothers and creatives are known for their brains that never hit the snooze button. If you’re all three, like me… I feel ya!
The constant whirl of ideas and to-dos can lead to mental burnout faster than you can say “coffee break.” Mental rest is all about giving your brain a mini-vacation from the chaos.
How to Apply Mental Rest:
Take Micro-Breaks: Schedule tiny, frequent breaks throughout your day. Step away from your desk, take a walk, or stare blankly into space—your brain will thank you.
Unplug: Dedicate time each day to go off the grid. Turn off your screens during meals or an hour before bed, and let your brain bask in the digital silence.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Try mindfulness or meditation. Even a few minutes a day can help quiet the mental chatter and prevent brain overload.
Want to try a short and effective meditation? Right now? You’re game, I love that- ok let’s take 5 minutes!)
Physical Rest: Listen to Your Aching Body
Physical rest isn’t just about hitting the hay. It includes both passive rest (like sleep and napping) and active rest (like gentle activities that don’t make you want to cry).
How to Apply Physical Rest:
Prioritize Sleep: Get your beauty sleep. Create a bedtime routine, make your sleep environment cozy, and avoid caffeine or heavy meals before bed.
Stretch and Move: Incorporate light stretching, yoga, or leisurely walks into your day. These activities help your body recover without making you feel like a pretzel.
Restorative Activities: Treat yourself to a warm bath, a massage, or some gentle yoga. Think of it as giving your body a much-needed spa day.
My top tip for this is to take an evening bath or shower by candle light! This enables your nervous system to reset and the body to wind down. If you’re like me and have a “it’s complicated” relationship with sleep, try it out and let me know how you go! If all else fails, I have a sleep hypnosis track that has your name on it ;)
Emotional Rest: Unload Your Emotional Baggage
Emotional rest means freeing yourself from the endless cycle of people-pleasing and giving yourself permission to be your authentic, fabulous self. Look, don’t get wrong, there are times when I have called upon a favour and y people-pleasing besties have come to the rescue and earned a special place in my heart… but you know what else earns a place in my heart… and a seat at my table? Having self-loving boundaries. I truly have an inner-happy dance when i see a woman setting empowered boundaries around her time, energy and focus!
How to Apply Emotional Rest:
Seek Support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. Sometimes, just venting can lighten your emotional load. If you are ready for next level support: get a coach/mentor (ok I am biased but in my experience, this yields much better results than talk therapy ever will!)
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments that drain you. Prioritise activities and people that bring you joy and make you feel like a Queen, Because you are and deserve to treat yourself like you are the most important person in the world (this is your world, babe, you ARE the most important one in it!)
Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings. Journaling can be like having a heart-to-heart with your diary, minus the eye-rolls. I used to have a lot of resistance doing this… one thing that helped me was to doodle in my journal instead of writing, but taking time to process nonetheless.)
Social Rest: Find Your People
Social rest isn’t about becoming a hermit; it’s about spending time with peeps who lift you up and make you feel like you matter. This one can be rough if you’re in a “messy middle” phase, you may be shifting from our social group and trying to find your place… but you can set the intention to find them (and watch the magic unfold!)
How to Apply Social Rest:
Quality Over Quantity: Focus on meaningful interactions with people who inspire you, rather than trying to be the social butterfly at every event… it’s not worth it if you are drained! Your energy and time and valuable assets, treat them with respect.
Plan Social Downtime: Schedule a walk on the beach instead of a coffee in a busy location. Enjoy activities that let you connect deeply without the pressure to perform.
Communicate Needs: Let your loved ones know when you need some social rest. It’s okay to take a rain check on that networking event, family dinner or mate catchup when you need a breather. My hubby is great at this- if it’s a Sunday night, he’s not going anywhere, no matter how good the food is!
Spiritual Rest: Find Your Zen
Spiritual rest is all about connecting with something greater than yourself. Whether it’s through religion, nature, meditation, or your personal happy place, it’s about finding peace and purpose.
How to Apply Spiritual Rest:
Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors. Whether it’s a walk in the park, hiking, or just sitting in your garden, nature has a way of grounding us. I have a blog post all about that right here
Meditative Practices: Engage in practices that connect you to your own soul or a higher power, like prayer, meditation, or yoga. This is a beautiful way to remind yourself that we are co-creating and it’s not all on you. It’s ok to surrender and allow the Universe to take the lead.
Reflect on Purpose: Take time to reflect on your values, goals, and what gives your life meaning.
Bringing It All Together
As humans who grew up in a busy and distorted world, we often put ourselves last, right behind the dog and the houseplants. But embracing these five types of rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
By incorporating mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual rest into our lives, we can restore our energy, improve our well-being, and become better leaders and family members.
Remember, rest isn’t about doing nothing; it’s about giving yourself what you truly need to thrive. So, take a deep breath, listen to your body and mind, and start integrating these practices into your daily life. Your future self will thank you.
Ready to get out of your own way and activate your creative power and magnetism? Here’s how I can help:
Book a Clarity Session
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