As someone who has always been occupied with one thing after the other, it can be challenging to just take a second to breathe. Whether it is related to my academics or other miscellaneous tasks, I sometimes have a hard time with properly resting. Even when I set aside time to do that, it doesn’t feel like I completely rested when I get back to working on what I initially was.

I ended up coming across the concept of the seven types of rest. This idea, introduced by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith (MD), emphasizes that if one tries to rest in each of the categories, they will be able to get back into the everyday hustle feeling refreshed. Fulfilling complete rest will lead to a much more balanced and lively existence. 

The most obvious one that we associate with rest is physical rest. One main way I like to do this is through sleeping. These last few months, it has been difficult for me to get good quality sleep because it felt like there was always something else I should be doing instead. However, the more I was neglecting sleeping for longer durations in the night, the more it started to impact other aspects of my life. It was getting increasingly harder to focus on anything and whenever I would work on something, I felt burnt out fast.

To break this pattern, I have started to organize my time and tasks on what to get done on a weekly basis so that I am not pressuring myself on what I need to get done within a day. That way, I end up winding down a lot earlier and I sleep earlier than I used to. Over time, I hope that I’ll be sleeping at an even earlier hour, but it has been pleasant to see the little progress I have made with this slight change. 

The second type of rest that is crucial to incorporate is mental rest, especially as us students can get swept up in upcoming deadlines. This is easier said than done, because it can be difficult to navigate balancing  what life throws at us and being a diligent student. The way I tried to incorporate this in my life was by taking breaks between study sessions instead of completely working through a given task. This has allowed me to get back into the task with a refreshed mind and get through it at a quicker pace. 

I have gotten back into journaling at the end of day as well. I stopped initially because I always thought I had to carefully curate an entry, but I realized that isn’t the point of journaling. What has also helped is making tabs in the notes app of lists of things that are on my mind to get done. Instead of allowing that to consume my head, offloading it onto there allows me to focus even better on the task at hand. 

Emotional rest distinguishes itself separately from mental rest because it more so focuses on the emotions that are felt and expressed. This is something important that I had to work on in my life recently. When it comes to allowing others to feel and express their emotions in a healthy way, I have always attentively been there to provide a nonjudgmental space. However, doing the same for myself can be very difficult. I believe because I have never done this properly, the emotional rest aspect of my rest has never been satisfied. This realization was not fun to come to terms with at first, but it  was a big step for me to move forward with feeling more self-compassion.. One way I recommend to fulfill this rest is by talking about emotions with a close loved one who is known to not be judgemental. Therapy is also a productive way to do this, and students can check out the variety of mental health services the university has to offer.

Sensory rest is a crucial one for us students to incorporate whenever we can. With most of our tasks being through devices, it can be difficult to get away from the bright lights that screens blaze constantly. It is unrealistic to completely limit myself, but including breaks during longer periods of time on my laptop has helped me feel less overstimulated with the tasks I need to complete. I have also incorporated limitations to my screen time with social media applications. Although I generally do not spend much time on social media, it can be hard to realize how much time has passed when I’m scrolling through the apps. These screen time timers for the apps remind me of the time, allowing me to put the phone down easier and resting my eyes.

One other rest that is vital is social rest. This consists of spending time with other people that uplift you, reconnecting with loved ones or even just taking a break from social obligations and focusing on activities just for you. This is another type of rest that I have been heavily working on. Ever since quarantine, I have had a harder time spending time with my friends because my social battery became heavily reduced from staying inside. However, as time has passed, I have gotten better at making plans and seeing my friends, making me realize how much they uplift my mood even when I don’t think I need it. 

Although I understand it’s hard to find the time for friends, there are ways to manage this. For instance, I have been leaning in towards the idea of studying with my friends. This way I am both spending time with them and getting done what I need to. This also helps me take proper breaks because someone else is there to suggest it. With friends who are not students, I ask to see them at establishments close to campus so I can spend time with them and get back to work.

Creative rest is something that allows for one to get away from how mundane life can appear to be. I personally have not had the time to indulge in my artistic hobbies, but I have made plans and thought about how I would over the summer. As of now, however, I like to satisfy this rest for myself by listening to classical piano music. I specifically enjoy listening to piano covers of songs I cherish a lot. I usually do this when I’m going for a walk.. My creative rest feels even more fulfilled when I go on these walks outside because I am able to observe the natural environment around me. From the ombre leaves falling onto the ground to the glistening snow on the barren trees, some unexplainable aspect within me feels at peace when I spend time outside wandering around. 

Lastly is spiritual rest, which allows for meaning and purpose to be incorporated constantly. It can be easy to get lost in the daily routine that one can forget to showcase gratitude for how far they have come. This is something that I have heavily worked on since I left high school, and I believe it’s helped me appreciate the little things life has to offer that we may not properly acknowledge. I am also a religious person, so practicing gratitude has been heavily ingrained with me from the get-go. However, one doesn’t need to be a religious person to spiritually rest. Meditating is a great way to centre oneself so that they can reconnect with their values. Volunteering for charitable organizations that align with these values will also allow for you to feel more satisfied, thus restful in this aspect. 

Although it can feel overwhelming to be balancing these types of rest, it may be the holistic key to addressing the exhaustion at its root that us students face during the semester. I suggest focusing on one type at a time and even combining some of these rests to fulfill the needs that are at the highest priority. Over time, resting will feel as fulfilling as working, as that is how I am starting to feel frequently.