Finding Rest to Renew Your Soul
Rest is essential for one’s health and well-being, and it’s more than getting a good night’s sleep.
Seven Types of Rest
Psychologists suggest that there are seven types of rest (see graphic and table below). Each type of rest serves a distinctive purpose and helps us recharge. Rest is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. By understanding the different types, we can identify areas of our lives where we need to focus on rest and prioritize our self-care accordingly. Here, find what type of rest best renews your soul.
For a more detailed explanation of the seven types of rest and a few ideas on how to incorporate additional rest into your routine, visit this article from Mindful Health Solutions.
Have you ever tried to fix an ongoing lack of energy by getting more sleep—only to do so and still feel exhausted? Sleep and rest are not the same thing, although many of us incorrectly confuse the two. Listen to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s TedX Atlanta Talk on rest.
Ideas to Incorporate into Your Routine
Rest and Prayer
Certain types of prayer can be restful; Visit the our prayer page for information. Scroll down to “Year of Passionate Prayer” to find new idea to try. In particular, we suggest the following three which can provide physical, sensory, creative and spiritual rest:
Centering Prayer/Breath Prayers
This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. Prayer is our most basic spiritual discipline. God calls us away from earthly voices to sit in God’s holy presence.
Labyrinth
A labyrinth is a spiritual tool–a path for prayer or walking meditation. There is no right or wrong way to “walk” a labyrinth; it has only one path that leads the seeker to the center and back out the way they entered. You can physically walk a labyrinth, or trace the image of one with your finger as you pray.
Praying in Color
Turn your love for doodling or coloring into prayer. The practice of Praying in Color connects one’s eyes, hands and heart.