Our bodies are designed to rest. The natural rhythm of waking and sleeping triggers our bodies to rest and rejuvenate. Most people don’t deny themselves time to sleep, but many aren’t getting enough sleep, or proper sleep, for that matter.

Being physically tired is an indication that we need sleep, but there are many ways to become tired. While sleep is a common form of rest, there are also different sorts of rest that help restore energy. The problem is that we live in a culture that doesn’t make rest a priority.

“It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol” -Brene Brown

Is Rest An Indulgence?

Nowadays, people are expected to work as if they don’t have families and spend time with their families as if they don’t have work. It’s nearly impossible to be all things to everyone and not become utterly exhausted.

Many people are so weary they aren’t functioning at their best, but they don’t believe there is anything they can do about it.

The fact is, if you don’t stand up for your right to rest, no one will. Making sleep a priority in a busy world has to start with you, and those around you must learn to accept and accommodate your healthy boundaries.

When people think about rest, they often think about physical rest. Sleep usually comes to mind, or, at the very least, lying on the couch and scrolling through social media.

Physical rest is very important, but there are three main areas in which people need rest:

1. Mind
2. Body
3. Spirit

The mind, body, and spirit are all connected, and one being fatigued can easily influence the other.

Mind, Body, Spirit Connection and Sleep

Being tired is generally considered a physical thing. A weary body is natural for someone who works hard physically or is aging.

Most people don’t know that the mind and the spirit are intricately connected to the body and can influence health and vitality. Interestingly enough, sometimes an illness or injury in the body is actually a manifestation of the mind or the weariness of the spirit.

1. You are a Spirit Who has a Mind and Lives in a Body

This is a simple and precise way of looking at the three-fold connection. Having a healthy mind and spirit can ensure the health of the body.

Likewise, an unhealthy body can impact the health of the mind and spirit, which are all intertwined.

2. Worry Begins in the Mind and Expresses Itself in the Body

Worries are cerebral but act out in aches, pains, and worse. Worrying over something begins in the mind and eventually manifests in issues like:

• Skin irritations
• Stomach and digestive troubles
• Anxiety- rapid heart rate, breathing issues
• Insomnia
• Muscle aches
• And more

As the mind works overtime, the body expresses the pain, fear, and worry in multiple ways.

3. A Grieved Spirit Can Cause Mental Health Issues

Not all mental health symptoms come from organic mental illness. Some mental health issues like situational depression, anxiety, and some personality disorders can come from traumatic experiences, loss, or a sense of disconnection.

Being weary in your spirit can lead to issues in the mind that impede normal functioning.

4. A Chronic Illness Can Impact the Mind and the Spirit

Sometimes, the body doesn’t function well. An illness, disease, injury, or defect can create pain or challenges that affect our mental health. Being chronically ill or living with the effects of a disease or defect can elevate mental health issues like depression or anxiety.

You are a spirit who has a mind and lives in a body. The three are connected and impact one another. Being weary in any area can wear you out.

Acknowledging your need for rest as a preventative and restorative tool matters.

Being willing to rest your mind, body, or spirit will help maximize your day-to-day life and give you the energy to meet your commitments. Get in tune with your mind, body, and spirit connection to identify where you are tired and take the necessary steps to rejuvenate.

The Science of Aromatherapy and Sleep

Aromatherapy utilizes the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, and roots of plants. These oils have been shown to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality.

When diffused into the air, essential oils can stimulate your limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions and memory, influencing your mood and sleep patterns. Find the best aromatherapy oils and how to utilize essential oil blends for sleep.

Making Rest a Priority

Since we live in a world that glorifies being busy, it’s hard to imagine resting as being responsible. Taking time off, doing nothing in particular, having no plans or intentionally making plans to unplug and refresh seems indulgent.

That’s a sad commentary on our culture. Recovering from exhaustion or preventing it altogether is nothing to feel guilty about!

Making rest a priority in a world that diminishes its benefits can feel like going against the grain. You’ve got to stand up for yourself and your family and integrate rest into your routine despite the normalcy to be busy.

• Setting boundaries and limits can help.
• Incorporating rest into your routine will help keep your mind, body, and spirit from becoming weary.
• Encouraging others to rest and restore and prevent exhaustion will help ensure they are functioning at their best, too.

Failure to rest can lead to illness, injury, or worse- none of which improves the quality of life. Make rest part of your routine regardless of how it’s perceived so you can have the stamina, enthusiasm, and brainpower to live your best life.

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