Feeling burnt out and feeling like it’s impossible to recharge? Here at IBX, we encourage our members to listen to their bodies, and rest is often misunderstood. Rest is key for recovery and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. But did you know that rest doesn't just mean settling into the couch for another night of binge-watching or squeezing in some extra nap times? Why do we end up feeling more tired after sleeping in after an exhausting week? There can be up to six to seven different forms of rest to target your different needs.
Mental Rest
Is your mind constantly running? Your brain is probably telling you it needs a break if you’re thinking about your to-do list as you’re trying to fall asleep or you’re having trouble prioritizing and concentrating at work. Slowing down and doing something that doesn't require a lot of mental effort can help. Our favorite ways to recharge include:
💧 Stepping away from your desk for a water break
🔇 Turning off your phone or notifications
📚 Reading a book
🧘 Meditating
👟 Taking a walk outside
Emotional Rest
Take your time to recognize your emotions and find healthy ways to navigate. This could look like
💬 Talking to a friend or therapist
✍️ Journaling
💞 Practicing self-compassion
It’s important being able to limit people-pleasing tendencies, setting respectful boundaries and being able to share and express your feelings and needs. An emotionally depleted person can lose a sense of who they are and may feel taken advantage of.
Social Rest
Instead of isolating yourself, it’s healthy to take a break from the demands of socializing. Learning to love alone time can start as a day with
🤸 Your favorite hobbies
🚗 A solo trip
🌳 Being outside in nature
Sometimes social depletion can go hand in hand with feeling emotionally depleted, especially when our personal or work relationships are draining us.
Sensory Rest
Sensory rest is all about giving your senses a break. It’s easy to be overstimulated with screens, juggling conversations, and noise from our environment. Here are some easy habits to start:
🤫 Spend some time in a quiet space
📵 Take a break from technology
😌 Closing your eyes for a minute and taking a deep breath.
Physical Rest
Physical rest is probably the most obvious form of rest. It involves giving your body a break from the physical demands of work or exercise. This includes activities like
😴 Napping
🛀 Taking a bath
💆 Getting a massage
🛋️ Sitting down and relaxing
Coach Evee has a great post here about Listening to Your Body’s Wisdom and adjusting your workouts accordingly.
Creative Rest
Creative rest is all about engaging in creative activities that don't necessarily have a specific goal or outcome.
🎨 Creating art
📷 Taking in beauty from your surroundings
🏛️ Visiting your favorite local museum
When you’re well rested here, you’re able to be creative in problem solving at work or in your personal life.
💪 A creative way to think outside the box for your next friend-catch-up– All members have UNLIMITED guest passes for any class! Check out https://www.ibxfitness.com/referral for more details.
Tying in all of these forms of rest into your life can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. It's important to recognize that rest isn't a luxury or something that should be done only when you have time. As a preventative to burn-out, take some time to rest and recharge, and remember that it's okay to prioritize your well-being.
Want to be a part of a gym that prioritizes your rest and wellbeing? Come try us out for just $1!
