Behind Rest: Recognizing the Kind of Rest you Need

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I talk about why rest is not a luxury but essential for staying healthy, connected, and effective. Inspired by Dr. Sandra Dalton Smith’s book Sacred Rest, I break down the different kinds of rest we often miss and share real-life examples of how constant stimulation, emotional effort, and unplanned time can quietly drain us.

Tune in to learn how to recognize the rest you really need and set up simple routines that help rest become a regular and renewing part of your life, especially during the holiday season and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

Rest Requires Structure – Rest does not just happen when life slows down. Without intention and planning, rest is often the first thing sacrificed during busy seasons. Creating structure allows rest to become consistent instead of optional.

Rest is Multidimensional – True restoration goes beyond sleep or quiet time. Our minds and bodies need sensory, emotional, and social rest to recover from constant stimulation, emotional labor, and social demands. This kind of rest allows emotions to be felt and released, overstimulation to calm, and the nervous system to fully recharge.

The Power of Creative Rest - Creative work consumes significant mental energy, even when it feels fulfilling. Creative rest is not disengagement or laziness. It is the intentional pause that allows ideas to settle, integrate, and mature. Stepping away from active creation creates space for clarity, insight, and more sustainable creativity to emerge.

Structure Protects Your Rest - Rest requires intentional planning and structure. Without scheduling it, daily tasks and “just one more thing” moments can easily push rest aside, reducing its effectiveness and leaving us exhausted.

Helpful Resources:

• Spiritual Rest Requires a Flexible Structure - Spiritual rest looks different for everyone. It may be attending a place of fellowship or engaging in daily rituals like gratitude writing or yoga. The key is to recognize your structure for spiritual connection and allow flexibility, balancing alone time and community practice to feel replenished.

• Rest Doesn’t Always Require Complex Routines - Stepping outside into nature, wandering through a store, or immersing yourself in music can provide mental, creative, and even spiritual rest. The key is to recognize what helps you recharge, have it ready, and intentionally create dedicated time to step away and rest.

• Be Intentional About Your Rest - To truly benefit from rest, start by asking yourself what you need and which types of rest will serve you best. Identify the tools or practices that support that rest, implement them consistently, and create disciplined structures, like an accountability partner, to ensure you follow through, not just for the holidays but for the year ahead.

Resources Mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Rest-Recover-Energy-Restore/dp/1478921676

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Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

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