The Rest Revolution That Redefines Rejuvenation Beyond Netflix and Naps
- Brainz Magazine
- Apr 14, 2025
- 5 min read
Maren Kristensen specialises in women’s mental health and is the founder of Therapy With Maren. In her signature therapy program, flourish, she helps women of all ages and backgrounds access joy, success & fulfillment in all parts of life.
Like so many of my clients, there was a time when I believed rest meant collapsing onto the couch, scrolling through my phone, or zoning out in front of a screen. I thought if I wasn’t moving, then I was resting. But the problem was that I still felt drained, unfocused, and overwhelmed after my rest. I could never really get enough.
And I know I am not alone in this. Weekly, I speak to many people who come to me worried about how they are feeling, drained, unfocused, and overwhelmed. They, too, are frustrated that no amount of rest seems to be helping and are looking for the magical solution so they can finally feel good.
The truth is that rest isn’t just about stopping and lying down. It’s about replenishing. Rest that restores and re-energises is different from just vegging out on the couch.
The rest you actually need
What if I told you that feeling constantly exhausted isn’t a sign that you need more hours on the couch, but rather that you need the right kind of rest? Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician and researcher, breaks it down into seven essential types of rest, each addressing a different aspect of our well-being. If you’ve been feeling depleted, chances are you’re missing one, or most likely several, of these.
Below is an introduction to each type, but it is essential that you do your own research into what each type of rest looks like for you. There isn’t a universal answer here. You have to connect to how you personally enjoy and experience each type of rest.
1. Physical rest: More than just laying down
When we think of rest, it's common to immediately picture a nice long session on the couch. And yes, stillness is good, but it’s not always restorative. Physical rest means taking breaks throughout the day, stretching, breathing deeply, and allowing our bodies to recover.
Movement-based rest (like yoga or walking) is deeply restorative and will help you gain quality sleep as well.
2. Mental rest: The art of the pause
Have you ever had a day where your mind felt like a browser with too many tabs open? That’s a sign you need mental rest. This doesn’t mean numbing out with endless scrolling. Rather, it means setting boundaries with your thoughts. Try brain-dumping your thoughts onto paper, practicing mindfulness, being present in the moment, and definitely scheduling screen-free moments in your day.
3. Emotional rest: Permission to feel
Emotional rest comes when we allow ourselves to feel without judgment, express our truth, and surround ourselves with people who see and accept us as we are. Suppressing emotions is exhausting. So give yourself permission to say no, to cry, to vent, and to be unapologetically honest.
4. Social rest: Recharging through connection (or disconnection)
Some relationships drain us. Others fill us up. Social rest means recognizing who leaves you feeling lighter and who leaves you feeling depleted. It’s about carving out time for the people who energize you and creating boundaries with those who don’t. And sometimes, solitude is the best social rest you can give yourself. You need both time alone and time with people you love. Learning to recognise when you need what can be a game changer for your mental health.
5. Spiritual rest: Connecting to something bigger
Whether through meditation, faith, nature, or acts of kindness, spiritual rest is about feeling connected to something beyond yourself. It’s that deep sense of purpose, belonging, and peace that comes from aligning with what truly matters to you. This one took quite some time for me personally to figure out, and it will be different for everyone. But with practice, this can be one of the most powerful ways to rest and rejuvenate your energy.
6. Sensory rest: Escape the overload
Modern life is an assault on the senses, screens, notifications, bright lights, background noise. Sensory rest means unplugging from the constant input. It’s about seeking out silence, dimming the lights, or stepping away from technology to let your nervous system recalibrate. A practical tip that really helped me was to dim the lights in my house and turn off all screens from 8 p.m. onwards, a small daily communication to my body that it's time to rest and soon to go to sleep.
7. Creative rest: The fuel for inspiration
If you feel stuck in a rut and like your brain is running on empty, it’s most likely a sign you need creative rest. This isn’t about doing more; rather, it’s about experiencing things that inspire you. Looking at art, being in nature, listening to music, drawing, cooking, whatever awakens a sense of wonder and expression in you. Creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s for anyone who wants to feel alive.
The key to feeling energized
The reason most of us still feel tired, even after we have “rested,” is because we’re only addressing one, or maybe two, of these needs while neglecting the others. Imagine trying to recharge a battery by plugging in only one percent of its capacity. You wouldn’t expect it to work, right? Yet, that’s exactly what we do when we assume rest is just about lying still with our eyes drawn to something that keeps us stuck.
True rest is active. It requires intention. It’s about listening to what your body and mind actually need instead of defaulting to mindless distractions.
So, before you reach for another cup of coffee or tell yourself you just need one more hour on the couch, take a moment to check in: What kind of rest are you actually craving? Because when you give yourself the right kind of rest, you don’t just feel better, you feel alive.
Read more from Maren Kristensen
Maren Kristensen, Psychologist and Mindfulness Coach
Maren Kristensen is an up-and-coming leader in the women’s mental health industry. Her education, clinical experience, and personal mental health journey give her an in-depth understanding of the mind-body connection and how it impacts overall well-being. As the founder of Therapy With Maren, she guides women all over the world to move from self-doubt to self-love so they can live the life they actually want. With a strong belief that caring for your mental health should be a manageable, practical, and celebrated part of life, her holistic therapy program, flourish, is paving a new path of mental health support for women.
