Worthy of Rest and Restoration
I’m too busy. I wish I could, but I have no free time. When work lightens up I’ll take a break. Just one more email.
We live in a hyperstimulating, oversaturated world where competition for our time and attention follows us from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep. Many of us find ourselves suffering from burnout and exhaustion, anxiety and sleeplessness, addicted to our screens or finding ways to maximize efficiency in every moment.
But we are not designed for this. We were not made to be “on” at every moment. We were made with the need for—and given the command to—rest.
As Catholics, we know that rest is something sacred. When God created the world, He rested on the seventh day. We might imagine Him taking a day to gaze on and contemplate all that was good, beautiful, and orderly which He had brought into being.
And because He loves us and made us in His image and likeness, He commanded us to take at least one full day of rest each week to do as He did and simply be and delight in life’s beauty and goodness. On the Sabbath we make a first commitment to take a break from work and responsibilities that can wait.
At Reform, we encourage you to incorporate periodic rest into each day, perhaps through a nap, restorative moment, quiet reading, or taking predictable and periodic breaks from work. We also encourage a yearly period of rest, either through a retreat or vacation in which you can spend time in nature, with loved ones, or with the One who loves you beyond measure.
Our need to rest is built into the way God designed the human person, so we know that if we want to live in accord with how we were made, we need to reset with rest.
Did you know that there are different types of rest which are all necessary to prevent burnout and exhaustion?
Here are 7 types of rest which correspond with our physical, mental, and spiritual needs:
Physical rest: This is rest for your body and can be achieved through deep sleep, periodic naps, or restorative movement like stretching.
Mental rest: This is rest for your mind from racing thoughts or making to-do lists. One practical way to slow your thinking is to observe thoughts and visualize letting them pass you by. Sensory rest: We are constantly being stimulated by lights, screens, noise, and images. We recommend taking breaks from screens, particularly for an hour after you wake up and an hour before you go to bed.
Emotional rest: This involves being aware and honest with how you are feeling and avoiding masking your true emotions. To fully rest, you should surround yourself with people who foster peace in your life.
Social rest: Knowing how you recharge—alone or with others—is key. Being honest with our loved ones about the need for solitude is an important way of maintaining our interior peace.
Creative rest: Anyone who has had writer’s block or a creative block knows the need to step away from a project to recharge. Spending time in nature with no to-do list or need to be productive is a great way to refocus and come back to a task refreshed.
Spiritual rest: This type of rest involves personal or meditative prayer, listening to liturgical or religious music, going to Confession or spiritual direction, or spending time with Scripture. This type of rest refreshes our soul and expands our capacity to give ourselves in service to the Lord.
If you find yourself resisting rest or having trouble slowing down and being still, we encourage you to begin again today. And if you’re already in the rhythm of making time for rest, we’d love to hear in the comments about practices that you find to be restorative.
