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Be Intentional with your rest

Good day, my love bugs.

I do not think resting is spoken about enough emphasis is always put on work and being productive. I do not undermine the value of hard work and the importance of being productive. Although this may be true there is more to life than endless schedules being overwhelming and being fatigued.

Toxic hustle culture: An outcome of capitalism
You may be familiar with the term hustle culture a lot of self-help content is based on hustle culture. The belief is that a person has to have multiple side hustles and that resting is the reward. Well, your rest is not a reward, it is essential to your health. Toxic hustle culture often arises within the capitalist system due to the emphasis on relentless productivity, constant growth, and individual success. The competitive nature of individuals of capitalism creates a mindset where people feel compelled to work all the time and abandon personal well-being to achieve financial success. This pressure is unhealthy as it can result in burnout, stress, and a disregard for work-life balance.

The false benefit associated with capitalism is the idea that everyone has an equal opportunity for success, that wealth necessarily trickles down to benefit all members of society, and that the system is inherently fair. There is also a misconception that financial success is always a result of hard work alone, overlooking factors like privilege, systemic barriers, and luck. These misconceptions oversimplify complexities that can contribute to a misunderstanding of its impact on social and economic disparities.

The seven types of rest
1. Physical rest
The actions of this rest according to Calm are intended to have your body recover from the physical demands of daily life, reduce muscle tension, and boost energy levels. This means getting good quality sleep I am one person who struggles with sleep and I am actively working on it. The girls on Tiktok recommend a ‘sleepy girl’ mocktail (which I will try and give everyone feedback on it). The main ingredient in this mocktail is magnesium which helps with sleep. Physical rest also includes activities such as lying down, relaxing your muscles, and engaging in gentle movement.

2. Mental rest
In this time of social media, our brains are always receiving and processing information. Mental rest includes which include mindfulness like meditation, taking short breaks during workdays, or engaging in hobbies that let your mind wander. I have recently started coloring in a coloring book and it has been so mindful.

3. Emotional rest
This means allowing yourself to feel and express your emotions healthily. This is being honest about how you feel, seeking support when you need it, and stepping away from emotionally draining situations and relationships.

4. Sensory rest
We are constantly surrounded by bright lights, loud noises, and screens everywhere. Sensory rest involves reducing this overload this might be as simple as turning off your electronic devices, embracing quietness, or enjoying nature. This helps reduce the strain on your senses and can lead to a calmer, more focused state of mind.

5. Creative rest
It is not taking a break from your creativity but rejuvenating it and it involves engaging with the beauty in the world such as art or music. Creative rest is allowing yourself to be inspired.

6. Social rest
I have a low social battery so I require social rest, social interactions can be a complex part of our lives. Learning to be one with self is important in the relationship with have with ourselves but also with the relationships we have with other people.

7. Spiritual rest
Finding meaning and purpose beyond your daily routines is known as spiritual rest. Do you know how to relax? We can become so consumed with constantly being on the go. Spiritual rest provides us with a deep sense of calm and a renewed perspective on life. It includes activities that connect you to something greater than yourself.
Overall rest plays a vital role in our health and well-being by embracing rest we are avoiding the harmful effects of burnout and our minds gets a chance to process experiences, consolidate memories and rejuvenate cognitive function.

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