There are seven different types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, and creative—replenish them all to feel refreshed, fulfilled, and productive.

Waking up after eight or nine hours of sleep should mean feeling great, but what do we do when we don't? Feeling emotionally and physically sluggish even after a good night's sleep is something we all occasionally experience. If the body aches and the mind wanders, even after an objectively good night, it could mean we're not getting the right rest. Luckily, a relatively new area of research by US-based physician Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith could provide some insight.

We know sleep plays a critical role in wellness. Numerous studies have concluded sleep is as essential for good health as diet and exercise. At almost eight hours a night, we spend nearly one-third of our lives in bed. It's no wonder doctors today place so much emphasis on the connections between wellness and sleep hygiene.

Even as we have accepted the importance of sleep on our mental and physical health, from creating highly curated sleep spaces to carefully considering the materials and fabrics that touch our bodies, some of us still struggle. In extreme cases, it may feel like no matter what, it's impossible to reach a state where both the body and mind feel rested and rejuvenated, so we lean on mechanisms to cope: caffeine, sugar, and energy drinks. We do what we think we must, even if it's not healthy or sustainable over the long term.

It was the same for Dr. Dalton-Smith, a busy physician and mother of two, almost ten years ago. Despite consistently getting a good night's sleep, Dr. Dalton-Smith found herself constantly tired. Feelings of burnout and fatigue were becoming routine, and many of her patients complained about the same.

Dr. Dalton-Smith decided to research the problem around the fatigue pandemic and published findings in a book called "Sacred Rest" in 2017.

What Dr. Dalton-Smith discovered was that there are seven different types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, and creative. All seven are needed to feel energetic and fulfilled—to move away from burnout culture and become part of what she's dubbed the "rest revolution.

1. Physical Rest

Sleep is part of the physical rest category, which includes gentle activities like yoga, stretching, and massage therapy. Slow physical activities increase muscle blood flow, lowering stress and boosting natural healing ability. Lingering aches, pains, and swelling can be indications the body requires more physical rest. Try making gentle activities part of your routine.

2. Mental rest

Racing thoughts and difficulty winding down and/or concentrating are all signs the body needs mental rest, which is one of the top deficits reported today. Mindfulness practice helps, but most of us don't know how to efficiently incorporate mindfulness into daily routines. Instead, Dr. Dalton-Smith recommends scheduling frequent breaks, which allow the brain to rest. She also notes many people experience mental rest during physical activity, which allows the brain to focus on simple tasks, like the cadence of lifting or breathing for example.

3. Spiritual rest

Tricky in nuance, spiritual rest varies from person to person—and isn't necessarily connected to faith-led religion. The crux of spiritual rest is love and purpose. Those of us who lack spiritual rest may struggle with feelings of belonging—or feel like nothing we do matters, explains Dr. Dalton-Smith. Cultivating spiritual rest means finding a supportive community and connecting with deep-held beliefs, which may be guided through practices like meditation, exploration, or even volunteering and give-back programs.

4. Emotional rest

Those in an emotional rest deficit have trouble reinforcing boundaries or saying no to others. An emotionally rested person can truthfully answer when asked, 'how are you today?' explains Dr. Dalton-Smith. Emotional rest means engaging with ease and balance. Small actions like the ability to share authentic actions and feelings are what recharge the emotional battery. Look for safe people and spaces. Therapy can also be a valuable tool to cultivate emotional rest.

5. Sensory rest

Endless TikToks, air pods, and daily stimulation overload can become overwhelming quickly. "Most of us aren't aware of how sensory environments can impact our feelings, personality, and energy levels," warns Dr. Dalton-Smith. Putting on a favourite song library can feel relaxing, but sometimes the brain needs quiet time. Try sitting in total silence in a quiet space to stave off sensory fatigue.

6. Social rest 

Even extroverts need social rest. A social rest deficit, Dr. Dalton-Smith explains, is what happens when we fail to differentiate between relationships that revive us and relationships that exhaust us. We must be discerning and prioritize relationships with people who make us feel good without needing anything in return. Be mindful of time and social commitments.

7. Creative rest

Creative rest isn't necessarily about writing or painting. We use it when problem-solving or brainstorming. As humans, we experience creative rest whenever we experience beauty, says Dr. Dalton-Smith. Nature, design, artwork—to rest creatively is to appreciate the here and now without overthinking or analysis. We need this type of rest every day, whether stealing away moments to enjoy nature or using design and colour to curate beauty inside our homes.

The Power of Rest

As human beings, we all require different kinds of rest—and what we need can change from day-to-day. It's not something put off for vacations and weekends, especially if we want to feel good and function to the best of our abilities every day.

Sleep remains a pillar of good health, but rest is so much more. After all, we all spend time expending different types of energy. It only makes sense that, eventually, we need to recharge. As your sleep savants, we at Sömn Home hope this list plays a small role in curating a greater sense of rest and well-being, whether that means escaping into the natural world or using our heirloom-quality linens to create a cozy and stylish sleep space.

Rest well.