The problem that many driven people face is they don’t know how to rest after a stressful period of work. You may find it difficult to unplug and give in to the urge to work more. Worse, you may think that the rest is a waste of time. Inactivity is seen as unproductiveness. And when we do try to rest, we struggle to turn off our thoughts, especially at night.

Our bodies and minds are much like machines; it wears away with non-stop use. Without proper “maintenance,” which typically consists of diet, exercise, and rest, you speed up the aging process. Accelerated aging affects everything, from how your memory functions to your skin appearance. Rest prevents burnout, strengthens your immune system, sharpens your focus, and makes you more productive at work.

6 Tips to Rest Better

1. Use your free time for self-care

Set a specific time for rest apart from the time that you spent for work. Use this free time for self-care. This is where you intentionally pause to do what relaxes you. There are many forms of self-care. It can be physical (having a massage or sauna or something as simple as deep breathing), mental (meditation, visualization or listening to calming music), emotional (expressing your feelings through drawing or dancing), or social (spending quality time with your family and friends.)

2. Hydrate

When we are under stress, we often forget to drink fluids. You may experience some signs of dehydration like infrequent urination, tiredness, or headache. To rehydrate, drink a glass of water. Eat hydrating snacks with high water content, such as berries, oranges, melons, and carrots.

3. Eat well

Eating healthy means eating more natural foods like fruits, veggies, lean meat, plant-based proteins, and whole grains and limiting processed ones such as sweetened beverages or refined carbs. This will increase your energy and resistance against the effects of stress. You can also eat foods and herbs that promote relaxation. These are salmon, turmeric, dark chocolate, yogurt, and apple.

4. Sleep well

Turn off all electronic devices before bed. Blue light has been found to decrease sleep quality. Sleep and wake up at the same time, weekends included. If napping and drinking coffee cause sleep troubles, limit them. Have a relaxing bedtime routine and make your bedroom as comfortable as possible. Get seven to nine hours of sleep per day.

5. Think well

Negative thoughts make people anxious. Anxiety can make you lose sleep. Practice positive self-talk for stress relief. Reframe your negative thoughts by seeing the positive in any situation. Affirm yourself through inspiring words and images.

6. Laugh well

Humor relieves tension and even relieves pain. Look for something to laugh about daily. Watch stand-up comedy shows, a funny movie or read jokes.

Summary:

Your body and mind need the right rest to regain strength and improve productivity.

  • Make time for self-care daily.
  • Remember to hydrate.
  • Eat a balanced diet with stress-busting foods.
  • Get quality sleep.
  • Be optimistic.
  • Find humor in everyday life.