209 - Beyond Lying Down: What Rest Really Means in Recovery

In this solo episode, Jackie Baxter unpacks what rest really is during long covid and MECFS recovery—and why simply lying down often doesn’t feel restorative. She reframes the struggle to rest as your body’s way of protecting you, not failing you, and introduces the idea of “banking energy for healing”.

Jackie explores the different types of rest we need—physical, mental, sensory, emotional, social, creative, and nervous system rest—and how safety cues and nervous system regulation make deeper rest possible. She shares practical tools like soft exhales, visual anchors, contact points, sound cues, micro rests, pre-emptive rest, and co-regulation with supportive people or pets.

The episode closes with a gentle grounding and rest practice and affirmations to help you feel just a little softer, safer, and more present—one small step at a time.

LINKS:

- Yoga Nidra

- Opal for screen time

- work with me page

- Links to final practise on IT

LOWDOWN:

• Rest is crucial in long covid/MECFS, but often feels hard because the body is stuck in survival mode.
• Real rest needs safety, not just stillness—a hyper-alert nervous system can’t drop into deep, restorative rest.
• Fatigue is a signal, not failure: “tired but wired” means your body needs rest but can’t access it easily.
• Banking energy for healing reframes rest as saving energy for recovery, not laziness or wasted time.
• Rest is multi-dimensional: physical, mental, sensory, emotional, social, creative, and nervous system rest.
• Safety cues help you downshift into “rest and digest,” where repair, healing, and better sleep happen.
• Simple tools include soft longer exhales, visual anchors, contact points, soothing sounds, micro rests, and co-regulation with safe people/pets.
• Rest is a skill you can relearn through small, consistent pauses, boundaries, and self-compassion—not by doing it perfectly.

QUOTES:

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

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The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

www.LongCovidPodcast.com
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**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**