Three Types of Rest to Help You Feel Recharged

When we feel tired, we automatically assume that we need sleep. However, while sleep deprivation is sometimes the cause of fatigue and depletion, there is much more to rest than taking a nap.

Exhaustion most often occurs as a result of our fast-paced lifestyles. In this day and age, it's not uncommon to overwork our bodies and minds and overwhelm our senses.

If you struggle to make it through the day, despite getting eight hours of shut-eye each night, a midday nap is probably not the answer. Instead, try one of these three rejuvenating self-care activities to recharge your batteries.

Scale back and say no

In our action-oriented culture, we lack self-compassion and see saying no to projects and taking time off as a sign of weakness. We believe that to be successful; we must do more. However, working harder and longer is highly counterproductive. You might initially tick off more tasks on your to-do list, but you will later pay the price throughout burnout and sickness.

Despite popular belief, one habit among successful people is taking regular breaks. High achievers notice when they are overworking and neglecting their health and wellness. Then, instead of pushing harder, they scale back.

This principle spills over into our personal lives too, where we find it equally hard to turn down an invitation or say no to a request for help. However, setting boundaries and saying no is something you'll need to get comfortable with if you want to reach optimization.

So instead of saying yes to everything that comes your way until your calendar is full, practice showing kindness to yourself by creating white space. Schedule time during your week when you do nothing, and be strict with yourself to not give this precious time away to someone else.

Get outside and connect with nature

Going for a walk isn't something we want to do when we feel tired. However, it is one of the most beneficial things we can do in a state of exhaustion. Reconnecting with nature, whether in a forest, on a beach, or up a mountain, is one of the best natural ways to increase your energy, rest your mind, and improve productivity.

You don't have to take a long, challenging hike to get these benefits, either. Simply sitting and watching the waves crash against a shore or the sun setting over the horizon will dissolve any mental fatigue you are feeling.

Practice meditation and breathing techniques While it's tempting to laze around and watch Netflix when you're tired, instead sit down in a cozy spot, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Meditation and breathing techniques relax your body and mind by calming and rebalancing your nervous system.

Many self-care meditations can help you recharge, such as Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation that you can do laying down. This passive practice takes you into a state of deep rest, and a 20-minute session can be as restorative as two to four hours of sleep.