7 kinds of leisure and why we want all of them.

Getting a full night's sleep looks like a small victory, but there isn't any guarantee we cannot still feel like we're dragging. If we have otherwise received a clean bill of health from the doctor, what is the difference between the remaining we have gotten and the surprising lack of our lives?

Maybe we're assuming that sleep is the one type of rest we want. Instead we could also be deficient in one in every of many other forms – all of that are critical to our ability to feel and performance optimally. In his book Holy restDr. Sondra Dalton Smith said there are seven kinds of leisure, each geared toward a distinct lack of leisure.

“Many of us think of comfort in the domain of physical comfort,” says Zhou. “Sleep is a component of physical rest and serves a very important restorative function, but sleep does not address other domains where one may be deficient.”

Rejuvenate

Here, Chow describes seven kinds of leisure, together with strategies for pursuing them:

1. Physical rest. Feeling drained, clumsy, or especially forgetful? You might have more physical rest. “The biggest sign is that your body's fuel tank just feels empty,” says Zhou. Sleep plays a crucial role in restoring your spark, after all – not only at night, but through sleep as well. Lying down and resting are also vital. But surprisingly, gentle movements reminiscent of stretching, yoga and walking are considered an energetic type of physical leisure that may boost energy.

“The answers are at completely opposite ends of the spectrum,” he says. “Doing things that make your body more active actually makes you physically more energetic.”

2. Mental leisure. If you are coping with racing thoughts or having trouble concentrating, it's possible you'll be mentally exhausted. “You might be re-reading the same sentence three times or unable to focus in a Zoom meeting for work,” says Zhou.

Mental leisure lets you quiet the mind from continuous considering, problem solving, or information gathering. To achieve this, write down the stuff you do before bed in order that they don't occupy your mind, or meditate. (See “Meditation Tips.”)

3. Spiritual rest. If you are feeling aimless, disconnected, or cynical, it's possible you'll need a spiritual reboot. Spiritual rest doesn't just mean engaging in prayer, nevertheless — it will possibly also include connecting to something larger than yourself through nature or community, reminiscent of volunteering. “Focus on what makes you feel whole, connected, or complete,” he says.

4. Sensory leisure. You could also be feeling irritable or simply “fried” – key indicators are in your sensory overload. To reset, put down your devices, dim the lights, and bask in a quiet or natural environment.

“If we're standing in line at a coffee shop, our natural tendency is to grab our phone and check email or hop on social media. But keep in mind the cost of that constant sensory stimulation, and allow yourself to be bored all the time,” says Zhou.

5. Creative leisure. Writer's block is an indication that you simply lack a creative outlet, but others include feeling stuck or uninspired, regardless of what your vocation. To recharge, spend time appreciating art or other types of beauty, or do something recent. “As a researcher, I can go to a scientific conference where I meet new people and discuss new ideas,” says Zhou. “Creativity comes in many forms.”

6. Emotional comfort. We can feel deprived of the needs of others during on a regular basis situations – reminiscent of raising young children – or overwhelmed, reminiscent of caring for a seriously ailing loved one. Either way, it's possible you'll not feel like you possibly can express your feelings openly, which is central to emotional comfort.

To recharge, try writing in a journal or talking to a trusted friend. But also get comfortable with the notion that you will have to attend until the stressful situation is over before you discover real relief. “Tackling the source of emotional challenges isn't always as easy as getting some of the other forms of relaxation we need,” says Zhou.

7. Social comfort. Focus on balancing the sorts of encounters that drain you from those who fill your cup. If you dread social interactions or feel lonely even in the corporate of others, you'll profit from social leisure. “Find opportunities to say no to things you habitually say yes to,” says Chow, and find ways to prioritize meaningful relationships over superficial relationships.

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