As a society, we tend to focus on productivity and busyness as being “good things”, to the point where it sometimes feels wrong to simply relax and do nothing.
But in a world of competitive activity, it’s important to remember that there’s no shame in enjoying some rest and relaxation. In fact, it’s a vital part of life and key to our wellbeing.
Here’s how to shut out some of the noise, turn off the permanent “on” switch, and appreciate the quieter side of life.
Switching off can be difficult when there is a strong focus on constant productivity
The word “productivity” seems to have become synonymous with success, with many people associating long working hours with a way of proving themselves.
Social media has also led to a culture of comparison, as we look at the best side of other people’s lives and often feel we ought to be “doing” in the same way as everyone else.
Being busy can start to become so ingrained that slowing down can feel unfamiliar, even wrong. In some cases, you might find it very difficult to relax, agitated that there is something more productive that you should be doing.
However, peace and quiet, and rest, aren’t just about the absence of activity. According to the Guardian, research has shown that our brains process silence in the same way we do noise, as an event in itself. It also states that our increasingly noisy world has been linked to cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, and hearing loss.
Making rest a part of your daily life can play an important role in supporting your cognitive, emotional, and physical health.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, daily rest and relaxation can:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve your immune health
- Boost the strength of your cardiovascular system
- Improve your critical thinking
- Increase empathy and compassion.
Physical rest can revitalise your body
Even if you’re not physically moving about all day, you can still feel exhausted and fatigued from sitting at your desk working.
Aches and pains, muscular tension, leg stiffness, and poor posture can all weigh your body down.
Try to recognise when your body starts to feel like this, so you can rest at the right time. Even a short interval will help you feel more balanced.
When we talk about physical rest, our minds naturally turn to sleep or napping. But during the day, gentle stretches or a short walk can actually be more restful and restorative.
Some people find that a long, hot bath can help to relieve aches and pains from the day, and adding magnesium salts could help to soothe your muscles even more.
At first, you might find you need to be intentional about your rest periods, maybe even noting down how you feel throughout the day and when to plan in short breaks. However, try not to think of this as something extra to do, but rather a focused approach to your health and wellbeing.
Mental rest can give your brain a break
Mental overload can be familiar if you’re used to juggling a lot of responsibilities in your everyday life. You could find yourself becoming forgetful, overwhelmed, and even facing burnout if you don’t offer your brain some respite.
According to Harvard Health, resting can help to trigger your brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN), which turns your focus inwards. This supports creativity, problem-solving, and memory retrieval, so it is an important part of your mental wellbeing.
A short daytime nap, daydreaming, immersing yourself in a book or a hobby, or a walk or other physical activity can all help to activate your DMN and give your brain a break.
Emotional rest can help to balance your mood
Screen time, technology, and constant connection can often make it hard to really get the emotional rest we need. This means recognising how we feel, processing emotions, and moving on. Otherwise, it’s easy to get stuck.
Emotional rest means getting in touch with your feelings and understanding how they’re affecting you so you can make any changes you need to lighten the load. Equally, understanding more about your mood and emotions can help you actively seek peace and find ways to quieten the inner chatter.
Talking, either to a trusted friend or a professional therapist, is an excellent way of processing emotions and feelings, helping you pave the way for the future.
Journalling is also a helpful method for working through thoughts and feelings, allowing you to spot patterns in your moods and behaviour.
Get in touch
If finances are on your mind, we can help you rest easy. If you’d like to talk to us about any aspect of financial planning, please get in touch by emailing enquiries@gag-ltd.com or calling 0131 363 0090.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.