What is the longest time you have gone without sleep? I think for me it was maybe 2 1/2 to 3 days. I was much younger (and not very bright!). Most people can tell you that going without sleep for very long can lead to problems like cognitive impairment, physical symptoms, and mood changes. Lack of sleep, especially when driving, can be deadly. There is a reason that most (not all) truck drivers have a mandated consecutive ten hours off a day to allow for sleep.

Sleep hygiene is a whole thing that I might discuss later, but what I want to talk about is REST, not sleep. So what is the difference between rest and sleep? According to AI, there are 4 differences: consciousness, activity, purpose, and duration. Obviously with rest, you remain conscious, you can do light activities, and it generally does not last as long as sleep. Its purpose is more for relaxation and recovery as opposed to long term restoration.

I think (hope) that most all of us sleep, but how many of us rest? The busy-ness of life, the push for efficiency and productivity, and our own expectations of what is required of us get in the way of rest. (Warning: short sermon now), The Bible talks about not working on the Sabbath (once a week) and devoting the day to rest. While I understand and agree with this – I have an extraordinarily difficult time actually doing this! I mean, I got things to do!

Rest can take many forms:

• Emotional (boundaries are good things, not bad. Sometimes you have to let people know that while they may use the ‘door’ to enter your life, they can’t just break in a window!)
• Physical (again, not sleep but rest – so things like sound baths, yoga, stretching)
• Sensory (staying off screens or away from things that are too stimulating to your senses)
• Social (we all get ‘peopled’ out)
• Mental (because math is hard, and so are some other things we have to think about. Meditation, reading, or journaling are good ways to ‘rest’ your mind).

So – help a girl out. How do you manage to rest? Are there certain things built into your schedule or routine that force you to slow down and take time for yourself? What do you think – are rest and self-care the same thing? I sleep (sort of) fine, but rest is another whole animal. Being in nature helps – but even then, I want to pick plants or pull weeds, not just be.

What are your thoughts?