Ever woken up after a solid eight hours and still felt like a human potato? Not tired exactly. Just… empty. Like your battery is full on paper but dead in reality? Same. Turns out sleep is just one slice of the pie. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith broke it down for us, and honestly, it’s a game-changer. There are seven types of rest your body and brain are craving, and you probably don’t even realize which one you’ve been skipping. Let’s walk through them. Not just the what, but the why it’s messing you up, and the how to fix it without needing a retreat in Bali or Thailand.
Let’s Decode All Types of Rest
1. Physical Rest- It’s Not Just Sleep
You might think you’ve got this one covered because you hit the bed early and woke up on time. But physical rest isn’t just sleeping in. It’s also letting your body actively relax. Ever stretched after sitting too long? That’s your muscles saying thank you for finally remembering they exist. This type of rest includes deep breathing, massages, yin yoga, or simply lying down without your phone glued to your face. Close your eyes (not to sleep), and try to relax, instead of overthinking that one mistake you made ages ago.
2. Mental Rest- Means Actually Shutting Off
Even when your body stops, your brain doesn’t. If you lie in bed replaying awkward convos from three years ago or planning your to-do list for tomorrow, you’re not giving your mind a break. Mental rest is about taking pauses on purpose. That means breaks between tasks. That means silencing the open tabs in your head and closing the browser in your brain on purpose. One easy way to start? Try tuning into something light, calming, or creatively distracting, like one of these handpicked podcasts that can give your brain the breather it deserves.
3. Sensory Rest- For the Screen-Tired Souls
You know that fuzzy-brain feeling after back-to-back Zoom calls? Yeah, that’s called “Sensory overload,” and it’s real. This type of rest is about reducing all that light, noise, and digital chaos. Not forever. Just for moments. Even closing your eyes for five minutes counts. Turning off notifications? That’s a mini vacation. Getting away from your devices helps a lot to clear out your brain from work, brainrot, and even internet frenzy. Shutting down the devices helps you explore the real world around you, for instance, go out, look at those plants your mom cares for more than you, at least mine does; her plants come first, then I do. Anyway, the point is nature is beautiful, explore it rather than scrolling through other’s outing pictures.
4. Creative Rest- Brings the Spark Back
Some types of rest bring back your spark. Creative rest isn’t about making something. It’s about letting inspiration flow back into you. When your ideas feel stale, your motivation is dead, and even your playlists annoy you, creative rest is the antidote. You get it from nature, music, art, or even silence, and definitely not Pinterest. I know it’s got great inspiration material, but sometimes let the creative juices flow and feel the magic, see how it changes the perspective.
5. Emotional Rest- Dropping the Act
Among all the types of rest, emotional rest feels the most like relief. This is when you stop masking, stop filtering, stop performing. You stop saying “I’m fine” when you’re not. Because it’s okay to not be okay. You let someone hear your honest answer. My suggestion choose a person to just listen and not say you’ll be fine. Of course, you’ll be fine, but at that very time, you need emotional rest and support from your comfort person. You let your face relax. This is a rest from being “on” all the time.
6. Social Rest- It’s About Who You’re Around
Of all types of rest, this one is about who you’re with. Some people drain you. Some people light you up. Social rest happens when you spend time with those who recharge you or when you choose solitude to escape the noise. It’s not about isolating. It’s about choosing who gets your energy. Maybe it could a many people, maybe it could be a single person, it completely depends on you to choose who gets to experience your greatness. It’s your choice.
7. Spiritual Rest- It’s Bigger Than You
There’s one more that often gets left behind. Among the types of rest, spiritual rest is about connection. To purpose. To believe. And to something beyond yourself. It’s the deep exhale that comes from knowing you matter in the grand chaos of it all. This isn’t about religion unless you want it to be. It’s about alignment. About stillness. About feeling secure when everything else feels scattered. You don’t chase this one. You let it find you when you pause long enough to introspect.
What Can You Do Right Now?
Here’s the truth. You don’t need to fix everything at once. Pick one type of rest that resonates most with what you’ve been missing. Start small. Swap your evening doomscroll with a quiet 10-minute meditation. Say no without guilt. Even though it’s hard. Watch the sunset without taking a photo. Rest is a luxury; use it well. Not everyone can use it well.
How to Spot the Right Types of Rest?
| Type of Rest | What It Feels Like | When You Need It | How To Start |
| Physical | Heavy, sore, sluggish | After long hours sitting or standing | Stretch, breathe, lie down |
| Mental | Foggy, overwhelmed, forgetful | After overthinking or multitasking | Take mental breaks, journal |
| Sensory | Irritated, overstimulated | After too much screen time | Silence, dim lights, close eyes |
| Creative | Uninspired, bored, stuck | After repetitive tasks | Walk in nature, view art |
| Emotional | Tense, fake, drained | After social masking | Share truth, set boundaries |
| Social | Overconnected or lonely | After draining convos | Choose nourishing connections |
| Spiritual | Lost, numb, empty | When lacking meaning or purpose | Reflect, meditate, volunteer |
Last But Not The Least
You can sleep ten hours and still wake up tired if the other types of rest are running on empty. Real rest is not just closing your eyes. It’s consciously caring for every layer of yourself. Try it. You might just feel like you again and don’t expect immediate results, even rest takes time.
Until we meet next, scroll!
