Have you ever slept the recommended eight hours, only to wake up feeling tired and unready to take on the day? In addition to focusing on your sleep habits, consider the health benefits of rest.
Because inadequate rest can negatively affect health outcomes, mood and daily participation, rest is a crucial component of supporting and promoting health. If you are unsure when you last rested, it may be time to develop a new rest routine.
Rest is defined as engaging in “quiet and effortless actions,” according to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). It involves reduced physical, mental and social activity to promote relaxation, restore energy or cultivate calm, thereby supporting renewed engagement. Examples of rest include listening to music, doing a puzzle, meditating or reading. Decisions about when to rest and which types of rest to engage in are influenced by personal interests and choices, as well as sociocultural and contextual factors.
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