The world doesn’t stop — and neither do you. There’s always more to accomplish, one more item to check off your list and no task done without multitasking. Five hours of sleep is plenty. Or is it?

 Turns out, you will be happier, healthier, more creative and — here’s the surprise — more productive if you lean into the power of rest. Can you recall a time when you came up with a solution to a problem while walking, relaxing or drifting off to sleep? That happens because you’ve lessened the stress and are allowing your own inner wisdom to emerge. 

So if you find yourself quick to anger or overwhelmed by your workload or by new challenges on the job, you may simply be craving the quiet space your mind and body need. 

Try putting down your phone, turning off the TV and radio, and carving out some quiet time for yourself. You can even lie down and take a nap — it’s not just for children! Making time for a walk in nature, viewing or creating art, meditating or listening to music and simply relaxing may be exactly what’s called for. It can help shift your mood from flight or fight to a calm state that allows you to respond to the day’s events with calm and equanimity and promotes healing and recovery. 

Different types of rest

We are all familiar with physical rest, including naps and nighttime sleep. Did you know that sleep is necessary for the next day’s concentration and learning? It plays a crucial role in preserving memory and affects learning, mood, metabolism, immunological responses, hormone levels and more.

You can improve the quality of your rest by keeping your TV, smartphone and other screens out of the bedroom and using blackout curtains for deeper sleep and a white noise machine if you are sensitive to sound. Experiment with micro-naps during the day if you can and see how you feel. 

Mental rest is called for when you have been mentally challenged and feel drained. You can swap activities: Instead of continuing with mentally taxing work, try folding laundry, working on a crossword puzzle or running an errand. 

Emotional rest can be the break you need when you are emotionally depleted. Try processing your feelings with a friend and putting your phone on “do not disturb” mode to create a boundary from an emotionally stressful situation.

Social rest is a lifesaver when you are exhausted from being around people and “on” all day and need some time for yourself. It can mean scheduling fewer activities and allowing time for some restorative solitude and quiet. 

Despite the societal pressure to be always moving, doing and accomplishing, remember that even athletes schedule rest days. Getting enough rest will help you prevent burnout, find greater joy in both your work and personal life and even find your way to creative breakthroughs. You’ll return to your tasks with more energy and focus and ultimately get more done than if you had continued working without pause.

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”
                                                                                  — Mark Black