How Rest Impacts Your Mental Health

When we think of rest, we often think of simply sleeping at the end of each day. But rest comes in many different forms. In addition to getting enough sleep, we need to rest our bodies, our minds, our emotions, and our social batteries. Rest is how we recover from the many challenges of everyday life, and without it, our mental health can suffer.

Modern life can become extremely busy, and it can be easy to neglect your needs when trying to keep up with demanding schedules. This can have a major impact on mental wellness; therefore, rest must be a priority even in the busiest seasons. 

Getting Enough Sleep

There is a direct correlation between sleep and mental health. Some mental illnesses, like depression or anxiety, can make it much harder for people to sleep. This can lead to a vicious cycle, as more and more sleepless nights lead to exhaustion and added stress. Stress can, in turn, either exacerbate or lead to mental health issues.

Good sleep hygiene is vital for your well-being. You are essentially giving your body a tool to help combat mental health problems and improve your physical health. Here are ways you can practice good sleep hygiene:

• Sleep in a cool, dark, and quiet room. Try using a fan, a sleep mask, and earplugs to help create this environment.
• Stick to a sleep schedule every night where you go to bed at the same time each day and get up at the same time every morning.
• Avoid caffeine in the afternoon. Try switching to a substitute, such as herbal drinks.
• Avoid screens for an hour before you go to sleep.
• Listen to things like calming music, ASMR, white noise, podcasts, or audiobooks before you go to sleep to soothe and relax your mind.

Resting Physically

We rest physically when we sleep, but we need to make sure we get enough physical rest in other ways as well. Humans are not designed to work nonstop, and it is important to make sure that rest is included in your schedule. This includes taking breaks from work throughout the day and having off days where you can experience longer breaks from working.

If you like to exercise, it is important to make sure you give your body time to rest. Overexercising can lead to injuries and will actually reduce the benefits of your workouts.

Instead of sitting and watching TV, try having active rest days where you complete low-impact exercises such as walking. Consider stretching each day, as this keeps your body healthy and helps you recover. Calming breathing exercises can also be a great way to give your body a break, especially if you’re experiencing a lot of stress.

Resting Mentally

Your brain needs breaks as well. One common reason why people struggle to sleep is that they have a hard time switching their minds off. Stress and anxiety can make this much worse, and you can get caught in cycles of stress, sleep deprivation, and mental exhaustion.

Cognitive rest might involve periods of switching to less mentally intensive tasks, like folding laundry or washing the dishes. If you have racing thoughts that you cannot get rid of, consider writing them down to externalize them. Try grounding techniques like focusing on the things you can see and feel to quiet busy thoughts.

Further, emotional rest is also important. It allows you to process your emotions in your own time rather than trying to suppress them. Talking about things you’re worried about or writing them down can be an emotional relief, as well as saying no to emotionally intensive activities.

Resting Socially

While humans need social interaction, we all need a break from socializing from time to time. It can become overwhelming when you spend long periods of time with other people without getting the chance to recharge, especially if you are introverted. Each person has their own social battery, and understanding your personal needs is important so you can take space when you need it.

There are other benefits of social rest as well, as you can get to know yourself better as a person and focus on things you enjoy when you are alone. 

Signs that you need time alone might include:

• Becoming easily aggravated or angry
• Experiencing consistently elevated stress levels
• Feeling hurried all the time
• Feeling tired or fatigued
• Losing interest in normal activities 

Health Benefits

Getting enough rest is vital for good physical and mental health. It is not a sign of failure or weakness to need rest, and it is imperative to our wellness. 

If you get the proper amount of rest, you will likely notice benefits for your health. For example, you may find it easier to deal with stressful situations. You might notice some cognitive improvements, as you will no longer experience the constant fog or fatigue that result from mental overexertion. Your immune system can get stronger, and you might find that you get more benefits from exercise when you allow your body to rest and recover.

Mental Health Treatment from Jackson House

If your mental health is suffering because of a lack of rest, professional help is available. By combining expert guidance with these strategies for rest, you can reach a place of mental and physical relief.

At Jackson House, we cater treatment to your unique needs to help you find lasting healing from mental health concerns. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.