What Exercise Taught Me About Rest

As high-performing individuals, we often fall into the trap of believing that rest will hinder our productivity.

I recall pondering over this during a workout session when an analogy struck me...

Why do we take rest periods in between our sets during strength training? Isn't it because our muscles need time to recover to perform optimally in the next set?

Similarly, our brains, our most important 'muscle' when it comes to productivity, also require rest. When we deny ourselves the rest we need, we're effectively depriving our minds of the recovery time they need to function at their best, leading to burnout and a decline in productivity. So, like a well-structured workout, we need to incorporate rest into our lives.

During rest, especially after strenuous exercise, our bodies undergo a myriad of complex physiological processes crucial for our overall health and performance. For instance, the body begins to replenish its energy stores, which have been depleted during the workout. This involves restoring glycogen, a primary source of energy during intense physical activity, within our muscles and liver.

Additionally, rest allows for repair and growth of tissues. During this time, tiny tears formed in muscles as a result of strenuous exercise begin to heal. This process, aided by proteins, not only repairs the damage but also makes the muscles stronger and more resilient to future stress.

Lastly, rest is pivotal in the process of regulating the body's immune system, reducing inflammation, and managing hormone levels. Therefore, rest, just like exercise, is a vital component of a balanced fitness regimen.

Mental rest, much like physical rest, is vital for our cognitive function. It looks like stepping away from the hustle and bustle of our lives, even for brief periods, and allowing our minds to relax and recharge.

This could be as simple as spending a few quiet moments in mindfulness or meditation, unplugging from digital devices, or immersing ourselves in nature. It also includes engaging in activities that bring us joy and help us unwind - such as reading a book, painting, or listening to music.

Mental rest could also look like prioritizing sleep, as it plays an essential role in memory consolidation and cognitive function. By providing ourselves with these moments of mental reprieve, we enhance our capacity to concentrate, make decisions, and maintain emotional balance, ultimately enhancing our productivity and overall well-being.

Just as mental and physical rest are essential, so is emotional rest. Emotional rest looks like allowing ourselves to openly express our feelings and emotions, creating space to be authentic and genuine. It’s about giving ourselves the permission to feel, and not suppressing the emotions that we experience. It also involves setting boundaries to protect our emotional energy.

This may mean saying no to requests or commitments that drain us, or disassociating from relationships and environments that are emotionally toxic. Fostering connections with people who understand and support us can also be a form of emotional rest. By finding and using these outlets for emotional expression and support, we can begin to replenish our emotional energy, leading to a more balanced and wholesome state of being.

Taking a moment to reflect on your current state of well-being can provide insights on which aspect of your health requires immediate attention.

Are you mentally exhausted from constant decision-making, emotionally exhausted from emotional turmoil? Or perhaps physically drained from strenuous activities or energetic depletion due to high-stress periods?

Once you identify the area that needs rest, it's crucial to carve out at least 10 minutes daily to focus on rejuvenation. This could be taking a break for deep-breathing exercises for mental rest, writing in a journal for emotional rest, taking a short nap for physical rest, or engaging in some grounding outdoor activity to restore your energy. Remember, even small intentional steps toward rest can make a significant impact on your overall well-being.

We need rest as much as we need any other health strategy. Can you find 10-minutes per day for you to prioritize your rest?

Sending lots of love to you!

xo
Ali

P.S. Work with me for a week with complimentary enrollment. We start January 1st. You can enroll in Transform® Preview week HERE.