Sleep vs Rest By: Denise Orsulak

Rest and sleep are 2 separate and distinct things to consider and think about for improved health. 

Sleep is important to reset your body and mind.  Sleep might come more easily if you have a consistent routine.  

Sleep helps you to:

• Recover from life
• ​Rebalance your hormones
• Reduce stress
• Improve your mood
• Stay at a healthy weight
• Think more clearly
• Make good decisions
• Reduce your risk of accidents
• Keep the immune system functioning properly
• Repair your tissues
• Deal with pain better

Rest is when you are awake.  Rest is the cease of work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. (From Oxford Dictionary). We often do not slow down. We are constantly going, going, and going.  There is a lot of stimulation available to us that is

• not at all restful but stressful.

What does rest look like?

• Not pushing yourself to get one more thing done
• Saying no to things that drain you
• Being realistic about what you can get done in one day
• Taking small breaks away from work throughout the day like walking, standing up, easy stretching
• Taking a full day off without plans on your calendar
• Taking a lunch break
• Rest is not just for when you are on vacation
• Listening to your body when you are tired and doing something about it

I think the most important thing to consider when evaluating your rest and sleep is taking a close look at your personal boundaries.  This is especially true if you have the habit of ignoring how you feel.

For example, you might need a hard cut off for turning off the TV or for the dreaded scroll on your phone.  By limiting the input in the evening, you prevent overstimulation, when you need to get some zzzz.  If you don’t have the willpower to do this yourself, schedule the cut off using sleep (on iPhone), set an alarm, or have someone you live with give your reminders.
I have a reminder on my phone that says bedtime routine at 9:30 pm.  Yes! I get ready that early for bed.  Sleep is one thing that is non-negotiable for me.  

Or you might need to say NO to some of your to-do’s.  If you are feeling exhausted.  Your body and mind need more rest.  Don’t you agree that when you are exhausted and continue to run, the number of careless accidents you have significantly increases. For example, you might twist an ankle, slip down the stairs, or spill something, or break something, or any other example.

Although there are circumstances in which guilt and outside pressure of not wanting to let someone else down can significantly affect our ability to do those things we need to do to take care of ourselves in this way.  

I beg you to pay attention to these 2 issues in your life.  I feel like these things can lead to chronic stress.  Chronic stress that you get used to and eventually your body just starts to break down.  It can’t take it anymore.

My recommendation is to address one of the two and see how you feel??? 

I want you to really evaluate the results. This is a practice and won’t happen overnight especially if you have been ignoring your needs for years.  But it can get better.  It might take a little time and persistence.  And the pay off? You will start feeling better.

Yoga, deep breathing, deep relaxation, meditation, and self-care can help you to be more mindful and pay more attention and perhaps change the way you think about rest and sleep.

I hope this helps.  Feel free to leave a comment below or ask me any questions when you see me!

Peaceful Dreams! And Rest Easy!
​
Love,
Denise