WHY IS REST AND RELAXATION SO IMPORTANT?

Many of us are stuck in the same repetitive daily routine of work, responsibility and stress. We often only allow ourselves to rest on holiday. However, it is so important to prioritise taking breaks and getting quality sleep in our everyday lives. Although they are two different things, both rest and sleep are essential for our mental, emotional and physical health.

TIP: giving yourself time to unwind can actually improve your sleep quality.

Rest looks different for everyone but this is any activity that helps you recover from physical and mental effort. Taking 10 minutes out of your day to sit down and breathe deeply is an example of passive rest, while going for a walk outside is an example of active rest. Prioritising these daily activities can help maintain physical and mental well-being.

Sleep is an essential state of rest and disconnect from our external environment; it allows our body to reset, recharge and restore its mental capacities, memory, alertness, immunity and metabolic rate. If we don't get enough sleep our own bodies will force us to rest at some point during the day.

What can we do to incorporate more rest into our lives?Determine ways in which you can add relaxation and restoration to your daily schedule. We all make time each day to run errands, ferry our children to school, eat meals and go to work; why should we neglect rest? Find a technique that works for you, such as yoga, meditating, taking a walk outside, reading a book, listening to music or anything else that helps you wind down. When possible, make a habit out of it by doing it at the same time each day, such as taking a calming bath before bedtime, meditating each morning, or going on a quick walk during lunch break.

TIPS TO IMPROVE SLEEP:

• Sleep and stress: https://www.theurbankitchen.co.uk/post/sleep-stress-and-the-vagal-nerve

• How to improve your sleep: https://www.theurbankitchen.co.uk/post/sleep-how-can-you-support-yourself-to-sleep-better