Hey! What’s with the rush? Slow down.

Yes, your work is tiring. Your kids are crying. Your deadline is blinking red. You have 90+ unread emails, and your to-do list is taller than your kid’s LEGO tower.

It feels like the world is weighing down on your shoulders, and you haven’t even had your morning coffee yet.

But here’s a reminder. One we don’t hear enough anymore: “Have you eaten?”
Remember how your mom used to say that? Not just out of routine, but with real concern, like she was holding your well-being together with those three words?

Somewhere between growing up and grinding, we stopped getting asked that. And worse, we stopped asking it ourselves.

But it’s not too late. Let’s take care of ourselves, together.

REST = Energy Refresh Mode. 

We often mistake rest as something you do when you're tired. But here’s the truth: rest is not a reward for productivity. It’s a requirement for being human.

And the more connected we are (to the internet), the more disconnected we become from ourselves.

In 2017, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician and researcher, identified 7 types of rest that humans need, not just sleep. That’s right. Sometimes you're not “just tired,” you're tired of everything. And sleep alone won’t fix that.

Let’s break them down in a way that hits home. You might even recognise which one you’re starving for right now.

1. Mental Rest 

Ever lie in bed exhausted, but your brain’s like, “Let’s relive every embarrassing moment since 2011”?

That’s mental fatigue.

Mental rest is about giving your overworked brain a break from constant decision-making, planning, thinking, and problem-solving.

Signs you need this:

• You reread the same email 5 times

• The banana went to the bin instead of the peel

• You feel mentally “foggy”
  

How to recharge:

• Take short breaks between tasks (Pomodoro technique works wonders)

• Do a brain dump - just write down your thoughts to stop carrying them around

• Embrace boredom without scrolling (yes, try looking out the window for 5 minutes)
  

Pro-Tip: Micro-breaks of 5-10 minutes can increase focus by 13%.

2. Physical Rest

If your legs feel like concrete and your shoulders are plotting a revenge story from all the laptop hunching, (might wanna fix the hunch) this one’s for you.

But there are two kinds:

• Passive rest: sleep, naps, lying down

• Active rest: yoga, stretching, massage, breathing techniques

Signs you need this:

• You wake up still tired

• You're irritable or sluggish

• You feel sore without exercising

How to recharge:

• Prioritise sleep hygiene (consistent bedtime, no screens 30 mins before)

• Do gentle stretching (check YouTube for “10-minute desk stretches”)

• Swap screen breaks with movement breaks

Fact check: The CDC recommends at least 7 hours of sleep per night for adults, but over 35% of us fall short

3. Emotional Rest 

Are you the go-to person for everyone else, but have no one to go to? Are you smiling outside but screaming inside?

That’s emotional exhaustion. And it’s real.

Signs you need this:

• Feeling unappreciated or unseen

• Suppressing your true feelings

• Feeling like you're always "on" and “available”

How to recharge:

• Have honest conversations (yes, even awkward ones)

• See a therapist or join a support group

• Start journaling, don’t filter your feelings here

Science says emotional suppression can lead to higher cortisol levels and increased anxiety. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s a release valve.

4. Sensory Rest

Zoom calls. Instagram scrolls. Blinking screens. Ringing phones. City horns.

Your senses are overstimulated 24/7.

Signs you need this:

• Headaches or eye strain

• Trouble focusing

• Irritability without reason

How to recharge:

• Turn off notifications (try Focus Mode)

• Use blue light filters or glasses

• Spend 10 minutes in a low-stimulation environment (dim lights, quiet space)

Disturbing Fact: Over 60% of adults experience digital eye strain due to screen overuse.

5. Creative Rest 

When was the last time you felt inspired? Not productive. Not efficient. But inspired?

Creative rest is about reigniting wonder and awe. Even if you're not an “artist,” your brain still craves beauty.

Signs you need this:

• Creative block

• Feeling uninspired or stuck

• Dreading brainstorming sessions

How to recharge:

• Go on a nature walk (no podcasts!)

• Visit a gallery or listen to instrumental music

• Try a hobby without goals. Just play

Stanford research shows walking boosts creative output by up to 60%. So yes, you can walk your way out of a slump.

6. Social Rest

This one’s not about avoiding people. It’s about choosing the right ones.

You need time with those who refill you, not drain you.

Signs you need this:

• Feeling lonely even around people

• Needing time alone after socialising

• Being hyper-aware of how you're perceived

How to recharge:

• Limit time with energy-drainers

• Spend time with people you can be your unfiltered self around

• Practice saying “No” without guilt

Pro tip: “No” is a complete sentence. It’s self-care, not selfish.

7. Spiritual Rest 

This is less about religion and more about connection, to nature, to purpose, to something bigger than yourself.

Signs you need this:

• Feeling disconnected or lost

• Going through the motions

• Wondering “What’s the point?”

How to recharge:

• Spend quiet time in nature

• Meditate or pray

• Volunteer or serve others in small ways

Even 10 minutes of awe (watching stars, sunrise, or silence in a forest) can shift your brain from anxiety to calm

So… what kind of rest are YOU missing?

Here’s the kicker: You can be sleeping 8 hours a night and still feel completely drained.

That’s because sleep ≠ rest.
Rest is about restoration in every dimension of your being.

So the next time you're feeling “tired but wired,” don’t just reach for another coffee or crash into bed. Pause and ask yourself:

What kind of rest am I actually missing?

Chances are, it’s not more sleep, it’s more space to reset. 

Space to breathe. To feel. To disconnect. To just… be.

Final Word: The world praises hustle. But your body praises balance.

You weren’t built to operate like a machine. You were designed to flow, to work and rest, to do and be. And no, you don’t have to earn your rest. You just need to remember that you deserve it. So today, take five minutes to pause. Step away from the chaos. Look up at the sky. Stretch your back. Feel the quiet.

Because sometimes, doing nothing is the most powerful thing you can do for yourself.