The Power of Rest: Why Prioritizing Downtime is Essential for Your Wellbeing

In our fast-paced, always-on world, rest often takes a backseat to productivity and achievement. At The AU Wellness Company, we believe that true wellness comes from balance – and that includes giving yourself permission to rest and recharge. With the year coming to a close, its our favorite time to take a step back to reflect and rest. Prioritizing rest is crucial for your overall health and how you can incorporate more restful practices into your daily life.

The top 5 Benefits of Rest are…

1. Improved Physical Health: Adequate rest, especially quality sleep, is essential for physical recovery, immune function, and maintaining a healthy weight. The body needs rest in order to repair and rejuvenate, like building muscle.

2. Enhanced Mental Clarity: Rest allows your brain to process information, consolidate memories, and improve cognitive function. Think of your brain as a computer with multiple tabs open. The vast majority of those tabs are not being used but they are exhausting energy. A state of rest creates the much needed shut down in order to get the maximum usage the next day.

3. Reduced Stress: Taking time to rest activates your parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress hormones and promoting relaxation. Just close your eyes and breath!

4. Increased Creativity: A rested mind is more creative and better at problem-solving. Have you ever gotten an amazing idea after a nap or during a shower? That’s possible because your mind is at rest.

5. Better Emotional Regulation: Proper rest helps balance your emotions, leading to improved mood and relationships.

How to Prioritize Rest

Some things are easier said than done but you have to start somewhere. Prioritizing rest requires making a plan and taking little steps to create healthy habits.

1. Set a Sleep Schedule: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night and stick to consistent sleep and wake times. Remember, women and moms may need more sleep so shoot for 10 hours when possible.

2. Create a Restful Environment: Make your bedroom a sanctuary for sleep by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet. Investing in black-out curtains and lavender pillow spray is a gamechanger!

3. Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate meditation or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine. Learn the box breathing technique or 4-7-8 technique as a tool in your relaxation toolbelt.

4. Take Regular Breaks: Use the Pomodoro Technique or similar methods to include short rest periods throughout your workday. The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method in which you do focused work during 25-minute intervals followed by a five minute break.

5. Unplug Regularly: Designate tech-free times to give your mind a break from constant stimulation. We know that FOMO is real but give this technique a try.

6. Engage in Restorative Activities: Try activities like yoga, gentle stretching, or nature walks that promote relaxation. You can even try warm baths with your favorite candle, while unplugging.

7. Learn to Say No: It’s a complete sentence. Don't overcommit. It's okay to decline invitations or requests to protect your downtime.

At The AU Wellness Company, we understand that rest isn't just a luxury – it's a necessity. By making rest a priority, you're investing in your long-term health and happiness. Remember, it's not about doing nothing; it's about giving yourself the time and space to recharge so you can show up as your best self in all areas of your life.

Start small by incorporating one or two of these rest practices into your routine. Over time, you'll likely notice improvements in your energy levels, mood, and overall wellbeing. Your body and mind will thank you for prioritizing this essential aspect of health.

With that, we’re taking a brief pause for the rest of the year but are looking forward to an amazing 2025!

Rest well, live golden!

The AU Wellness Team