Rest
At least that's what my tarot cards are shouting at me LOL
It’s been two days in a row now that I’ve used my tarot deck for contemplation and have been told to rest. Not only was this told to me, but it was shouted - as in brought up several times throughout my reading. This shouldn’t really come as a surprise though considering this is the second time in a row that I’ve written about this topic. I think the universe is trying to get my attention (What do you think?)
So what exactly is rest and how do we get it?
Rest: to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh, or recover strength.
At it’s very basis when we think of resting we think of doing nothing. However, there are several different kinds of rest, each one equally as important as any other one.
Physical Rest
This rest relieves physical stress (e.g., headaches, muscle tension, lack of sleep). It includes passive rest (e.g., sleep, napping) and active rest (e.g., yoga, stretching, massage).
Mental Rest
Here is your time to silence your anxious mind so that you can refocus on important things such as falling asleep. There are several ways in which you can get this rest such as sleeping, being mindful, connecting with nature, being intentional about your diet, talking to a therapist, and taking time to do those things you enjoy.
Emotional Rest
This will help you express genuine feelings and avoid people-pleasing tendencies. Emotional rest is personalized and can take many forms including yoga, meditation, mindfulness, spending time in nature, engaging in creative pursuits, spending time with loved ones, eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising, getting adequate sleep, and practicing mindfulness.
Sensory Rest
Sensory rest involves reducing, you guessed it, sensory overload. This might be as simple as turning off your electronic devices, embracing quietness, or dimming the lights.
Creative Rest
You get this type of rest when you stop to appreciate beauty or feelings of awe and wonder. This includes beauty created by humans (e.g., music, art, dance) and natural beauty (e.g., oceans, trees, flowers, mountains).
Social Rest
Social rest is taking a break from social interactions, or pursuing positive social connections. It can involve activities like spending time alone or avoiding social situations. Social rest can help you feel more energized, and can develop from meaningful interactions where you can be authentic without fear of rejection.
Spiritual Rest
This is your opportunity to tune into your higher power or spiritual beliefs. This can be done through things such as prayer or meditation.
What type of rest do you need?
The best way to decide what type of rest you need is to pay attention to your body and mind. If you're feeling tired, irritable, or stressed, you may need more physical rest. If you're having trouble concentrating or feeling overwhelmed, you may need more mental rest. If you're feeling emotionally drained, you may need more emotional rest. And so on.
It's important to make time for all seven types of rest in your life. When you're well-rested, you're better able to cope with stress, manage your emotions, and be productive. So this week I’m going to take time to get out in nature and restore my soul. What will you be doing to get the rest you need?
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