So, you eat healthy, exercise weekly, drink enough water during the day and get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.
And yet, there is still this feeling of exhaustion, which haunts you once in a while and no healthy snack or even a jug of coffee do their job in balancing out the productivity levels.
What's all that about?
According to Saundra Dalton-Smith, the reason could be behind not getting the right type of rest or, rather, not all the seven types of rest your body needs.
Sounds extreme, so let's dive in into this healthy hack a little deeper with The Jar Healthy Vending.
This is the most common type - physical rest, which comes in two forms - active and passive.
The passive type is the good old sleep or a midday nap (yes, there is nothing wrong with a nap during the day! If that what your body is asking for, go for it to restore alertness and improve performance).
Here is a twist for some - exercise like yoga, stretching or a massage is also a resting activity which belongs to the active physical rest category. Experiment with your weekly routine by adding some mindful little workouts - maybe this is what your body has been asking for.
When you feel that sudden wave of haze after a completed task or heavy lunch - it's a clear signal to take your mental rest.
Specialists advise to set reminders every two hours or so to take a 10-minute break (Remember the academic hour at school which is 45-50 minutes in average, there's been a reason for that.)
Just get distracted in any way you like. Preferably, get a healthy snack from The Jar Healthy Vending - D8 Natural Energy dates are a good fit or a Pop Dark Chocolate Bar to get your brain fix.
We usually pay so little attention to the background noise around us. But just look around and imagine the impact all the screens, sounds and lights have on our unconscious brain! It's a little better now - because, hm, lockdown. But still.
Life in the city made us used to it, but our senses are definitely shocked at times. If left overlooked - eventually one might experience the sensory overload syndrome. This is when the sensory rest comes in.
Shut your eyes, put your phone on airplane made to avoid notifications, just unplug. For a few minutes, hours or even days - if necessary. One of our team members (me) been thinking to go through vipassana for this purpose - so wait for an article on that sometime soon (maybe).
Ever feel like you run out of ideas? (Lol, our team knows that feeling). These little burnouts signal to the need of creative rest.
Especially if you have to generate a lot of creative content daily and eventually come to a point when negative thoughts and self-doubt start crawling in - you need some time to distract yourself. With anything. But except your phone. Ouch.
Movies, books, exhibitions or anything that gives you that feeling of satisfaction will work.
Those of us who tend to say "yes" to practically anyone who is asking for a favour should really focus on emotional rest. Same applies to people who do a lot of emotional work - teachers, doctors and other heroes who save the world daily.
One of the remedies experts suggest - learn to take your time before agreeing to anything. Just say "I need to think about it". It's practically not a "no", right? Win-win.
Introverts get this - being around people is sometimes hard. Especially among the wrong ones. And it's OK - not everyone shares the same vibe as you do.
And if limiting negative energy is easier in the post-Covid time of Zoom meetings and remote work - it is still important to reflect on those who definitely mess up your mental balance. Hint: Use some palo santo before getting on a call with one of those persons.
Since we - the city people - get to be over accomplishing and ambitious at times, it's important to monitor that moment when we just disconnect from our true selves and from the world.
Did you just spend weeks planning your trip and never want to hear the word “pandemic” ever again? A spiritual rest is for you.
Meditation is the first step to be aware of your true desires, goals and feelings. However, to take it to the next level - charity, prayer or volunteer work is a great way to get some spiritual balance.
Take the right type of rest with The Jar Healthy Vending!
We love you!
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