Rest Day: Self-Care & the 3 Dimensions of Well-Being

In our culture, the act of slowing down can seem like a failure. In a world that thrives off of busy schedules and deadlines, the idea of taking a ‘rest day’ can seem selfish or lazy. However, this could not be further from the truth! Rest is vital for regaining our strength, focus, and sense of calm when returning to our tasks. Rest applies to different aspects of our emotional, mental, and physical health, and is a time to press pause and tune into your body and mind. Read on for Rest Day: Self-Care & the 3 Dimensions of Well-Being!

1. Rest Physically on your Rest Day

We hold a lot of tension when we are stressed, which is why it is important to take care of your body and do what’s right for you. This can mean different things based on how you feel: whether that’s doing a relaxing yoga session, a rest day workout or exercise you are likely to enjoy, or maybe just taking a nap—resting your body is vital for your health. Resting physically, whether that’s exercising, relaxing, or sleeping should be a mindful and rejuvenating time.

2. Rest Mentally

When was the last time you took a break from work? And not just a break as in a lunch break, but rather a mental break? Self-care is a form of mental rest that should be practiced throughout your day. Meditation, listening to music, reading a book, and doing something that you enjoy are all forms of self-care that will give you the mental rest you need. It doesn’t take much to take care of yourself, so why put it off, especially when it can boost you up for a better, more enhanced performance when it’s time to be fully active again?

3. Rest Emotionally on Your Rest Day

Resting emotionally is about taking a break from something or someone that does not serve you. This can mean spending less time on social media if you find yourself in an unhealthy cycle of comparing yourself to other people. Resting emotionally can also mean breaking away from toxic relationships or social events that do not bring you inner satisfaction and joy. Taking the time to reflect on the people or things you decide to surround yourself with and the emotions they induce will create a peaceful space in your life.

Taking rest days is not selfish! It is incredibly valuable to take ‘time out’ for self-care to get yourself rejuvenated. It can also help you perform better as a human being, and be of even better service and value to your fellows and live a more satisfying life. What kind of rest works best for you? Let us know in the comments below, and join in the conversation on FacebookTwitter Instagram

Juha Pentinpuro

Juha is a gym enthusiast with Finnish roots and a strong interest in fitness and health related subjects. He's also keen on motorsports, tennis, cycling and beach volleyball in the summer months. He's particularly interested in bodybuilding and the nutrition that makes that possible. He believes that a healthy lifestyle is key to happiness.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Keep Fit Kingdom
Logo