The Benefits of Rest and Recovery

Adulting is a constant parade of to-do lists and responsibilities – sometimes it feels like it never ends. Then again, if we were truly as productive as we wanted to be, we’d probably never allow ourselves the rest we needed, and without rest, we can’t recover from the day-to-day stresses that make up our lives. Rest and recovery are critical to ensuring that we can continue being productive and healthy, not just for ourselves, but for those around us. Just like phones that need to be recharged, we as mere humans also need to ensure that we are allowing our minds and bodies downtime so that we can absorb all the stimuli around us and process it into something beneficial. 

When we think of rest, we tend to think of good old-fashioned rest – the lying-in-bed-drinking-tea-watching-Netflix rest – which is fantastic! But that kind of rest is only part of the battle. Unwinding is important but ensuring that you get actual sleep is critical. Sleep allows our brains and bodies to reset and incorporate all the things we have experienced during the day. The National Sleep foundation recommends anywhere from 7-9 hours of sleep for adults, and while this is merely a recommendation (and may sound like a pipedream to some), a good rule is to allow yourself to get as much restful sleep as you can.

Getting proper fuel for your body is just as critical to recovery as rest. It’s important to eat what your body is craving (and keep in mind that might be different than what your feelings are craving). Everyone’s nutritional requirements are different, so make sure that you are getting what you need by including a wide variety of whole foods into your diet.

Exercise is another key component of rest. While this might sound counterintuitive, intentional physical activity is a wonderful way to take your mind off mundane tasks and allow your body to move in a way that feels good and gives you release. Cardio training, yoga, or even just walking are all effective ways to rest your mind while giving your body the movement it needs. Outside activity can be refreshing on nice days, but if you prefer to stay indoors, most studios are offering virtual classes for those not looking to share open space with others.

Finally, hydrate. In the hot and humid climate that is Florida, it’s especially easy to get overheated and dehydrated, so it is crucial that you are drinking enough water. Drinking half your body weight in ounces of water is an effective way to remember how much liquid you should be including to make your rest as beneficial to you as possible. 

Our culture puts a lot of emphasis on productivity, but little on what goes into making productivity useful. Make sure you are giving your body everything it needs to succeed.