Tag: sensory rest

Are You Resting or Sleeping?

Published on by Nikken

While sleep is a biological necessity for unconscious repair, rest is a conscious effort to recharge your energy across several different areas. Sometimes, we wake up from a night’s sleep and do not feel rested at all. In other words, we did not obtain restful sleep. Sleep is considered to be physical rest, but there are actually other types of rest, and together, they can be even more important than just getting a good night’s sleep.

Dr. Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, explains, “There are significant differences between rest and sleep, though the importance of the former tends to get overshadowed by society’s emphasis on the later. It’s not a situation where you only need rest or you only need sleep. You need both.” 1

So, what’s the difference between sleep and rest? Sleep and rest share similarities, but they have key differences too. In short, sleep is a complex process that allows your body and brain to re-energize and process information, while rest is multifaceted and involves wakeful restoration. Sleep is one form of physical rest, but rest can take many different forms.

Dr. Dalton-Smith defines seven types of rest:2

1. Physical rest includes sleeping and napping. Physical rest includes “active rest,” which includes stretching, using a foam roller, adjusting a workstation to be ergonomically-friendly—in other words, making yourself more comfortable while awake.

2. Mental rest is doing whatever helps quiet the mind to allow for better concentration and focus. Again, this form of rest can actually be active, if exercise is the chosen way to quiet the mind.

3. Spiritual rest is about a sense of belonging and purpose.

4. Emotional rest is especially important for people in helpful and guiding roles such as teachers and therapists. Letting go of the emotions absorbed in helping others is necessary in order to continue the work.

5. Social rest means taking a break from people who sap you of your energy.

6. Sensory rest is especially needed in a world that bombards us with noise, commercials, bright lights and “hype.” Sensory rest can also be as simple as changing out of uncomfortable or restrictive clothing and shoes!

7. Creative rest can take any form that helps you feel inspired and renewed. This can be a walk in the park, visiting a museum, or listening to your favorite mellow music.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, healthy sleep lowers the risk of serious health problems, while supporting the immune system as well as improving brain health.3 However, the benefits of rest are equally important. Proper rest leads to better sleep, and “waking rest” or letting thoughts come during any low-energy time, such as during meditation or while folding laundry, allows the brain to process information at a leisurely, non-stressful pace. According to Dr. Dalton-Smith, the first step towards getting more rest is identifying what type you need the most and addressing that deficit.4

Rest and sleep are not the same, but both are important for health, fitness and well-being. Prioritizing rest actually supports better sleep. Try to identify the type of rest you need the most in your life, and focus on fulfilling that. And remember, Nikken is a pioneer in sleep technology as well as in the use of TriPhase technology to help rest, relax and renew. Now is the perfect time to check out the many products that can help support sleep but also rest!

1, 2, 4  https://www.onepeloton.com/blog/rest-vs-sleep

3 https://sleepisgoodmedicine.com/benefit-from-sleep/

Do You Get the Right Amount of Rest to Feel Renewed?

Published on by Nikken

According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, many people misinterpret the meaning of rest. She says that “anything that is not their normal work, they call rest.”1 She gives the example of people who go on vacation to rest. In reality, the vacationers do not actually get rest. Instead, they do a lot of fun activities, which leave them feeling tired rather than rested or restored. So, there is a difference between not working and resting versus not working and doing fun work.

How much rest you need in order to feel renewed or restored is an individual matter. There isn’t a magic formula; however, Dr. Dalton-Smith has identified seven types of rest that work together to provide the renewal every body and mind needs. Here is how they work in tandem:

1.         You can achieve mental rest by scheduling activities that do not require much thought throughout the day. This will have a grounding effect and truly give your brain a rest. You can take a short walk outside and breathe in some natural air. You can simply sit still for a few minutes and keep your mind blank.

2.         What Dr. Dalton-Smith calls spiritual rest is what the Japanese call ikigai. She says to “consider your life purpose and your connection to something bigger than yourself.” This can simply be achieved by soaking in some sunlight, smelling flowers that are in bloom, listening to the rain or anything in relation to nature. This is similar to the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing—soaking in the effects of being in nature, specifically the forest.

3.         Emotional rest occurs when you feel comfortable enough to let down your guard to be open and vulnerable. Find your inner circle of people with whom you can show your true emotions, whether it’s fear, joy or anything else.

4.         Finding your community of like-minded people can providesocial rest. This is the “no man is an island” type of rest as you need time to spend with others.

5.         In the digital world, many suffer from sensory overload. Sensory rest can be achieved by shutting off electronic devices, listening to calming music, and stimulating your sense of smell with aromas you enjoy.

6.         In Zen Buddhism, there is something called “beginner’s mind.” Dr. Dalton-Smith’s version is called creative rest. She says, “Go back to a beginner’s mind and experience something with a fresh new perspective to tap your creative juices.”2

7.         Every single body needs time to recover from work, play and everything in between. Physical rest is equated with sleep most often. Dr.Dalton-Smith defines physical rest as recovery time. She says, “Honor your body by stretching and taking breaks to breathe deeply and reboot. This practice will calm your body and lift your mood.”3

Proper rest is an important fuel for our human tanks. Productive people require enough mental, physical, creative, emotional and spiritual rest. Breathing clean air and staying grounded are two other ways to achieve proper rest. For the entire month of December, take advantage of 30% off the KenkoAir Purifier® and 20% off the KenkoGround®, and see how much it can help you get the rest you truly need!

1, 2, 3 https://mindfulhealthsolutions.com/embrace-these-7-types-of-rest/#:~:text=The%20seven%20types%20of%20rest%20are%20physical%2C%20mental%2C%20emotional%2C,prioritize%20our%20self%2Dcare%20accordingly.