You Slept For 8 Hours... So Why Are You Still Exhausted?
Have you ever woken up after a full night of sleep and still felt completely drained? You’re not alone. The truth is: sleep and rest are not the same.
We often equate rest with how many hours we spend in bed, but research shows that our bodies and minds need different types of rest to fully recover and function. Here are the seven distinct types of rest we need.
1. Physical Rest
Sleep is only one part of physical rest. We also need active physical rest like stretching, deep breathing, or restorative movement to reduce tension and prevent burnout. Practices like yoga and breathwork reduce the stress hormone (cortisol) and improve parasympathetic nervous system function, helping the body truly relax. Try to engage in some yoga or intentional breathing for 10 minutes a day.
2. Mental Rest
Mental fatigue can feel like brain fog, irritability, or an inability to focus. Mental rest means taking intentional breaks from cognitive demands.Cognitive rest improves working memory and executive function. Even short “brain breaks” during the workday improve accuracy and performance. Apply this type of rest by scheduling “do nothing” moments during the day. Sit down, don’t think, don’t do anything, just be.
3. Sensory Rest
From blue light to background noise, our senses are constantly stimulated. This overload increases stress and contributes to irritability, fatigue, and even poor sleep. Excessive screen time is linked to digital eye strain and decreased melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and rest well. Try taking a 30-minute screen-free break and be in natural light to attend to this type of rest.
4. Creative Rest
When we’re constantly producing, problem-solving, or innovating, we need time to receive beauty and inspiration. Creative rest means reconnecting with awe, wonder, and play. Viewing nature or art has been shown to activate the brain’s default mode network, the area linked to imagination, memory, and self-reflection.
5. Emotional Rest
When you’re constantly managing others’ emotions or pretending everything’s fine, emotional rest is crucial. It means having safe places to be authentic and unfiltered. Suppressing emotions increases sympathetic nervous system activity and has been linked to anxiety, depression, and even physical illness. Consider talking to a friend or a professional therapist in Centennial about how you’re honestly feeling and what you’re going through.
6. Social Rest
Not all social interactions are equal. Some people energize us; others drain us. Social rest involves surrounding yourself with relationships that nourish rather than deplete. Did you know that even positive social connections improve immune function and reduce risk of premature death more than exercise or not smoking. Try being intentional and reaching out to someone who “gets” you.
7. Spiritual Rest
Spiritual rest means connecting to something larger than yourself whether that’s God, your values, or your sense of purpose.Spiritual practices like prayer and meditation are linked to lower stress, greater life satisfaction, and even longer life expectancy. Whether or not you’re religious, take some moments to meditate or reflect.
Rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
You can sleep 8 hours and still wake up exhausted because sleep only restores one part of you.
So ask yourself:
Which type of rest do I really need today? And more importantly how can I honor that need?
For more support, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Restoration Psychology, we have a diverse team of clinicians with a wide range of specialties, and we’re committed to helping you find the right fit for your needs. Contact us at info@restorationpsychology.com or give us a call at (720)-647-1522.