unlocking true rest: UNDERSTANDING THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACH.
Can you answer this question truthfully…” How are you today?”.
No doubt we’ve all complained about how little rest we get. We could all do with a little more of this, or that to feel ‘better’. So why don’t we feel fully rested, until we go away on holidays, where our environment changes completely, our routine has gone temporarily and we have time to chill with an attitude of nothing to do & nowhere to be…??
Rest is usually described as more sleep, Netflix, saying no, and so on.
These are of course true and do generate a level of rest that may allow us to reboot for the short term. To fully rest we must look a little further than the obvious.
Rest can look different on any given day, and for that reason there needs to be more than needing more sleep. For us multidimensional folk who have been absorbing information from all angles for as long as possible, we need to be able to recognise our capacity before we become overstimulated, oversensitized, under productive robots.
Rest is key to optimum functionality, but how do we integrate what is necessary into what is available? We first understand the layers of rest
Physical (active) rest- Activities like a walk in the park with no sensory input. Yoga, mindful movement meditation.
Physical (passive) rest- Sleep, deep breath work, meditation.
Mental- If you are at a desk all day, working with people face to face/via screens you give a LOT of energy. Some of which you wont get back unless you actively STOP, PAUSE & take short breaks to get air, meditate for 2-10 minutes to reset throughout the day.
Sensory- The unnatural light, the screen time, phones, AirPods, ongoing meetings, conversations ALL DAY, means your sensory feedback systems are on overdrive. UNPLUG from electronics, especially in the evenings. Read something different to slow the frequency of your brainwaves, take a mindful shower, meditate for 2-10 minutes in the (am) & (pm).
Creative- If you’re essential in problem solving and generating new ideas on the regular & on demand, you may already know your creativity has a capacity when un rested. Getting outside into nature is the simplest way to reboot your creative juices and get them flowing again. Sit in the fresh air, breathe in/out 10 times, admire the JOY being outdoors brings.
Emotional- The time is now to answer truthfully “How are you today?” … If we can answer this honestly, with the truth no matter what it is we are on our way to either pretty well rested, or realising that emotionally, we need to do something about the situation. Be KIND to self, write your thoughts down, call a friend, seek professional help.
Social- Do you purposefully surround yourself with those people in your life who fill you up, match your energy, see you and hear you fully? Or are you a conditioned people pleaser, unable to say no?…Social rest is fundamental in connection, if you don’t leave the situation feeling good, then perhaps some decluttering is in order… Check in to see if your social groups make you feel positive & supported, ask those close if they feel this from you.
Spiritual- An important layer in that we are here to engage in things that are greater than we are. Things that are beyond us as an individual physical being. Through this you can feel a deep sense of love, belonging, acceptance of all and have a fully satisfied purpose.
Resting requires work, commitment & consciousness.
REST HARD xx