Why is rest so important?

Ongoing low-grade stress is not sustainable.

Why is rest so important? well, mainly because we don’t get enough of it. I don’t mean sitting down while you scroll on your phone, or laying on the couch watching Netflix. Sure, your body is technically still and it’s a nice break from reality that we all need from time to time. However, this is not actually true rest. Your brain and your nervous system need rest more than anything else. Some of us are so wired that even sleep doesn’t bring that deep rest we need to heal and restore. If you find your mind spinning at night time or spend lots of time overthinking before sleep, are a light sleeper, easily startled, waking up multiple times per night, feeling exhausted in the morning and having dreams that leave you feeling like you’ve run a marathon over-night, the chances are you’re not slowing down enough for your body and brain to drop into a real state of rest at night. 

Take babies for example, contrary to popular belief, skipping day naps doesn’t make for better sleep at night, it creates an overtired child who then struggles to sleep at night because their systems are in overdrive. We are much the same as adults – we are really just big toddlers that need our damn rest! 

Our bodies NEED space and time to down-regulate

The world we live in today is one of chronic overstimulation. Everything is fast, busy and technology-based which maintains a low-grade stress response that you might not even notice anymore because it’s just become normal. Chronic low-grade stress is our new baseline and it’s simply not sustainable.

Humans are designed to undergo short bursts of stress to keep us safe and motivated, however, if we do not allow ourselves space and time to down-regulate from this sympathetic nervous system state into a parasympathetic nervous system state, you are constantly producing cortisol which causes inflammation and is damaging on a cellular level over time. This can cause digestive issues, skin problems and joint pain – not to mention an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Your body is smart and will send you signals when you need rest

Have you ever experienced something that has been stressful for an extended period, maybe a situation at work or conflict within a relationship, and you find you start to get sick more easily and often, the colds hit harder and your recovery is slower…you might notice random pains or you find yourself getting injured doing something simple like tying your shoe or checking your blind spot driving in the car – this is another signal that your neuroimmune system (the interplay between the immune system and nervous system which can create either inflammatory or anti inflammatory processes) is struggling and out of balance. 

People who are too busy to rest are often the ones who actually need it the most

Often we are so conditioned to be in this state, that true relaxation actually feels hard…it can feel uncomfortable, boring, overindulgent and downright difficult to access. By carving out pockets of time during the day to slow down and rest, you’re giving your mind and body a chance to catch up and recharge. You are also strengthening the pathways to a relaxed state. Many people say that yoga and meditation aren’t for them because they can’t relax, it’s too slow, it’s too hard, they can’t breathe properly, they’re too fidgety or their minds are just too busy to be able to ‘do it’ – well guess what – those people are the ones who actually need it the most. 

Proper rest will give you more energy and mental space to be able to get more done – and to do it well 

Yoga is called a practice because it is just that, we have to consciously make an effort to give ourselves what we actually need. It’s a discipline, just like choosing healthy food over junk and processed crap – and it’s not always fun, it’s not always pleasant or easy and there will ALWAYS be something “better” or “more important” that needs doing or ticking off the list. The plot twist is – proper rest and relaxation will actually give you more energy and mental space to be able to get more done – and to do it well. 

When we are in overdrive we make more mistakes, we are more clumsy, more emotionally reactive with others, we are operating with a much lower capacity – that buffer of space to be kind to ourselves and others, to not take things personally, to make good decisions for our wellbeing is decreased. What is known as our window of tolerance becomes very narrow and we become easily overwhelmed. I know this because this was me!

What actually happens in our bodies when we’re resting?

We NEED to spend time in our parasympathetic nervous system to “mend, tend and befriend’ or “rest and digest” – this is where our magical bodies do their thing and every little cell works to heal, repair, integrate memories, process emotions and so on. Without this, you will find yourself with brain fog, poor concentration and bad habits that usually include reaching for high dopamine activities and consumables such as alcohol, sugary food or impulsive spending for example. 

Can you see how this cycle can have such a negative impact on your health and your life? When are in are unknowingly in this fight or flight state, we become tired…performance and confidence start to wane, and we usually end up doing more things, or doing nothing in an attempt to feel better. This just continues to accumulate until you eventually burn out, so the cycle needs to be broken – and only you can do that. You have the power to choose differently at any moment, DARE to rest more and see what happens…

DARE to rest more and see what happens…

The best way to start incorporating rest into your life is little and often. Short meditations, yoga nidra and restorative yoga practices are ideal. Start small, with 5-15 minutes 3-4 times per week and see and feel the difference in your mood, energy, sleep and general outlook on life. And just do it – even if it feels hard, even if you don’t feel “better” immediately – you WILL if you can commit to just a teeny tiny scheduled pocket of rest as often as you can. All of a sudden your ability to manage the demands of children, housework, pain-in-the-ass relatives and tricky budgets will seem like a walk in the park. Difficult interactions with colleagues and spouses and not getting angry at the idiot who pulled out in front of you at the roundabout will feel like water off a duck’s back as you begin to flow more gracefully with the waves of life. It’s empowering when these things no longer trigger you, tip you over the edge or affect your peace because you are grounded inside, standing with your own two feet on steady earth beneath you – wherever you are, whatever is happening externally – if that’s not a superpower I don’t know what is. 

If you’re ready to take a well-earned rest then here’s a great place to start, enjoy 25 minutes of yummy supported stretching and breathing to down-regulate your nervous system, soothe pain and tackle insomnia with this online yoga class https://hostwellness.co.nz/studio/em-k-yoga-online-restorative-rest-and-relax-class/